Chapter 17 Don’t Leave Me #2
Pulling out, he remained fully hard, towering over her.
Without hesitation, he bent down and lifted her into his arms, eager to claim her again.
Her legs wrapped around his waist instinctively, and his hands gripped her hips, slamming her down on his shaft repeatedly even as he stormed out of the bathroom.
“Ahhh…” her cries echoed in the silence.
He carried her out in the open, where the night air was colder. The sound of the ocean and the fresh scent of the sea sharpened every sensation.
He lowered her onto one of the lounge chairs, sliding himself into her softness again, adjusting her hips to the perfect angle.
Each thrust drove them both higher, until she cried out and released herself once more.
Even then, it was not enough. Alexander twisted her, dragging her off the chair. He sat down and positioned her over his body, holding her firmly as their eyes met. “Ride me,” he growled.
Mia barely had time to catch her breath as he grabbed her hips and dragged them over his shaft, making her straddle him. The next moment, he thrust into her mercilessly, every movement precise, controlling, and punishing in the way that drove her wild.
It was past midnight when Mia’s eyes fluttered open in bed.
For a moment, she didn’t move. Alexander was asleep beside her, his head resting against her chest, his breath warm where it brushed her skin. One arm was wrapped tightly around her waist, fingers curled, his leg draped over hers.
His breathing was slow, steady. Peaceful.
Carefully, Mia slipped her fingers between them and eased herself free inch by inch, holding her breath so she wouldn’t wake him. When his arm finally loosened, she slid out of bed, the sheets whispering softly beneath her movements.
She pulled on a light robe and stepped outside, climbing up to the open deck above.
The night air kissed her skin. The ocean stretched endlessly in every direction—dark, quiet, alive—its surface broken only by the gentle roll of the yacht and the faint shimmer of starlight overhead. The world felt vast and still, as if they were the only two people in it.
Her phone felt heavier than it should have in her hand.
She checked the time.
2:00 a.m.
After a brief hesitation, she dialed Hazel’s number.
To her surprise, Hazel answered immediately. Loud music thumped through the speaker, layered with laughter and voices.
Mia frowned. “You’re not sleeping?”
Hazel laughed loudly. “Are you out of your mind? Why would I be sleeping on a weekend when I’m this young?”
There was a pause. Then Hazel’s tone sharpened, curiosity slipping in.
“What are you doing?” she asked. “Where are you right now?”
Mia glanced around instinctively. The deck was wrapped in darkness, broken only by the soft glow of yacht lights. The steady sound of water surrounded her, waves brushing gently against the hull.
“I’m on a yacht with Alexander,” she said quietly.
“What?” Hazel gasped. “Why are you on a yacht? Did you invite others too? Friends? Family? Why the hell didn’t you take me if you’re having a yacht party?!”
“It’s only Alexander and me,” Mia said quickly. “I didn’t even know where we were going. He just said we were heading out—and then brought me here. There’s no one else.”
“Oh my God,” Hazel whispered, instantly delighted. “That’s insanely romantic.”
“Can you stop?” Mia muttered, rubbing her temple. “I don’t want you praising Alexander right now.”
“Why not?”
“Because he lied to me—and you’re acting like I’m not even mad at him. Did you forget we’re fighting?”
Hazel scoffed. “You’re not fighting him. You’re running from him.”
“What’s the difference?” Mia huffed and stomped her foot without thinking.
The sound echoed sharply across the silent deck.
Mia froze, her shoulders tensing as she glanced around, suddenly aware of how loud it had been in the stillness.
“So,” Hazel continued, unfazed, “are you going to keep sulking over those pictures he had of you, or are you actually planning to divorce him?”
Mia inhaled slowly. Her fingers curled around the railing, knuckles whitening as she stared into the endless black water ahead.
“Hazel…” Her voice dropped, quieter now. “What should I do?”
Hazel’s voice softened instantly. “What happened? Is something wrong?”
Mia began to pace, restless, the deck cool beneath her bare feet. Her chest tightened, emotions tangling until her breath came shallow.
Then, almost as if admitting it aloud stole the strength from her legs, she whispered, “I’m in love with Alexander.”
Before she could take another breath—
A pair of strong arms appeared on either side of her, bracing against the railing and trapping her between them.
Mia gasped, spinning around.
Alexander stood there, caging her in.
Her breath caught violently. His face was inches from hers, his presence overwhelming, his gaze so intense it made her heart slam against her ribs.
“Mia?” Hazel’s voice echoed faintly from the phone. “Hello? Are you there?”
Mia couldn’t speak. Couldn’t breathe.
Her fingers slackened, and the phone slipped from her hand.
Alexander caught it effortlessly mid-fall and slid it into his pocket without looking away from her.
He was shirtless. The wind tousled his hair, the night wrapping around him as the lights reflected off his skin. He looked almost unreal—like a god.
And that god was staring straight at her.
Without his glasses, his eyes looked darker—sharper—locked onto her with an expression that was part disbelief, part triumph.
“Say that again,” Alexander said quietly. His voice was low, controlled, though the corner of his mouth betrayed him with a smile he couldn’t fully suppress.
Mia shoved at his chest, trying to escape, but he caught her instantly, pulling her back. Her body hit the side of the yacht, and his hand came up, gripping her jaw, forcing her to meet his gaze.
He stared down at her, eyes burning, then dipped his head—
And kissed her, completely unrestrained.
***
Mia stepped out of the office building, squinting slightly as the late-afternoon sun hit her face.
Her shoulders sagged the moment she loosened her grip on her bag, exhaustion settling deep into her bones after a long day of work.
Cars crawled along the road in front of her, horns blaring, the usual evening traffic clogging the street.
She wasn’t heading home yet. It was just an evening break.
She paused near the sidewalk and pulled out her phone, her thumb hovering for a second before she dialed Hazel’s number. The call rang. Once. Twice. She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, her fingers tightening around the phone.
No answer.
She tried again. Still nothing.
With a quiet sigh, she lowered the phone and rubbed her temple. Her gaze drifted across the street, landing on a small coffee truck parked near the corner. The sight of it stirred a faint craving.
She took a deep breath and stepped off the curb.
Halfway across the road, the sound of an engine roaring far too loudly sliced through the air.
Mia’s head snapped up.
A car was speeding straight toward her.
Her heart slammed violently against her ribs. Her legs froze, panic locking her body in place. For a split second, the world seemed to slow—headlights glaring, tires screeching.
Then suddenly—
A hard shove hit her from the side.
She lost her balance, the ground rushing up too fast as she tumbled down. Her breath knocked out of her lungs as she landed, someone’s body shielding hers as they hit the pavement together.
The car sped past them, not slowing down, disappearing into traffic.
Mia lay there, stunned, her ears ringing. Slowly, she opened her eyes.
Her hands trembled as she pushed against the ground and lifted her head.
James.
Her breath caught painfully in her throat.
He was lying beside her, his face twisted in pain, jaw clenched tightly. Blood seeped from a cut near his temple, trailing down the side of his face. His arm was also bleeding, his fingers curling and uncurling as if even that small movement hurt.
She squeezed her eyes shut for a moment, her chest tightening.
‘What the hell is happening? Why do I keep running into him again and again?’
She hadn’t seen him this much in the five years when they lived under the same roof—and now it felt like fate was cruelly dragging him back into her life.
Her brows knit together as she looked back at him.
James groaned softly and forced himself to sit up, one hand bracing against the ground. His breathing was uneven. Despite the pain, his eyes searched her face frantically.
“Are you alright?” he asked, his voice strained.
He reached out, his hand gripping her shoulder.
Before she could answer—before she could even steady her breathing—the world tilted.
Her body suddenly felt unbearably heavy.
“Mia?” James frowned.
Her vision blurred. Her knees buckled, and she slumped forward.
The last thing she felt was his arms tightening around her as she lost consciousness.
***
When Mia opened her eyes again, bright white light stabbed into them, forcing her to squint.
She winced and turned her head slightly, blinking rapidly as the dizziness faded. The smell of antiseptic filled her nose. Her head throbbed as she slowly took in her surroundings.
A hospital room.
Her fingers curled into the bedsheet as she slowly pushed herself up. That was when she noticed the other bed across from her.
James was lying there.
His arm was wrapped in bandages, stitches running along the side of his head. A deep scratch marked his face, angry and red. His chest rose and fell steadily, but even in sleep, his expression looked tense.
Mia swallowed hard.
‘What kind of cruel joke is my life playing on me?’ she thought bitterly. ‘Why does fate keep throwing him in front of me like this?’
She swung her legs off the bed quietly, wincing as her head throbbed. Just as her feet touched the floor, the door opened.
“Hey—don’t get up.”