The Stranger

Chapter 10 - Alex

I watched the city below as dusk crept into London, its shadows stretching like fingers over the buildings. The sky hung in shades of deepening orange, hints of the coming night touching everything. The view blurred in front of me, though, as my mind kept pulling back to Cassandra. She'd left a mark, unsettled me in ways I hadn't prepared for.

This was supposed to be simple, a one-time indulgence. A gift to help her unwind with that toy I'd chosen for her. I was meant to be a stranger, to remain outside her world, a memory that could be shelved and forgotten. But in the boardroom, the way she looked at me afterward, the way she submitted... I hadn't anticipated how it would get under my skin.

Before I could let the moment go cold, I made my way to her office. For once, I didn't announce myself.

"Cassandra," I said, standing just outside her open door. She looked up, those green eyes a shade darker, still under the spell of the afternoon.

She straightened slightly. "Of course," she said, gesturing me in.

I closed the door behind me. That sound—the latch clicking—sent a soft gasp from her lips, one that wrapped itself around my own restraint.

"Listen," I began, keeping my tone low, "I wanted to apologise." Her gaze met mine, and the effect was instant. I lost my place. With the way she looked at me, submissive but bold, I needed to sit down, to get some measure of control back.

"Apologise?" she asked, her voice calm but laced with something deeper.

I settled into the chair across her desk, taking a second to regroup. "Yes. I've broken a lot of rules these past few days, and it's... not like me."

"There's no need," she said, eyes steady on mine. "I know what the company policy is. I could bring it up if I wanted to."

"It's not just about the company rules." I paused, choosing my words. "I mean my own rules."

"What do you mean?" she asked, her brow furrowing just enough to show intrigue.

"I have... certain boundaries, Cassandra. Steps I follow. And somehow, with you, I've ignored them." I held her gaze. "And that isn't something I take lightly."

She swallowed, her eyes flickering for a moment. "Alex, if you're worried about me—"

"I'm not worried about you, Cassandra," I cut in, keeping my tone firm. "You're intelligent, accomplished, and you don't need protecting." My eyes drifted down, unable to ignore the softness of her mouth, the way it parted slightly, like an unspoken invitation. "But I want to be clear. You're strong enough to say no."

She exhaled softly, a blush rising to her cheeks. "I don't want to say no, Alex," she murmured, barely louder than a whisper, and I watched her catch herself. She'd revealed something raw, vulnerable.

"Good." I leaned in, letting the silence fill with everything we hadn't said. "Because I like you." I kept my voice even, but I wanted her to hear it, to understand this was me laying it bare. "But I'm not looking for anything serious. And I don't want to mislead you. In less than nine months, I'll be gone, back to Spain."

The blush in her cheeks darkened, but her gaze held steady. "Alex, that works. I don't want anything serious either. My career's my priority right now." Her lips curved slightly, teasing. "And yes, I like you too. As my... reactions in the boardroom probably made obvious." Her smile lingered, daring, and I had to bite back my own.

I brought my fingers to my lips, the same ones that had traced over her in that boardroom. Her breath hitched, and she bit her lower lip.

"Perfect." I kept my voice steady, despite the heat rising between us. "Now that we're clear on that, let me take you out. A proper date. Tomorrow night."

Her eyes lit with intrigue, but she stayed composed. "And where would we be going, exactly?"

"I don't know yet," I replied, letting the last word hang in the air. "But it will be worth it. Dress for dinner." I stood, moving to the door but glancing back just before I left, my voice soft, controlled. "Nice talk, Cassandra."

She returned my look, a touch of mischief in her gaze. "Likewise, Alex."