Book one | Alexa Harvey, a celebrated actress known for her fierce independence and uncompromising nature, has always steered clear of the sports world. But when her latest film role requires her to shadow Jude Bellingham, a rising football star wit...
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The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room as Alexa slowly stirred from sleep. Her head throbbed, a dull reminder of the wine she'd indulged in the night before. She groaned softly, squeezing her eyes shut against the bright light.
Her thoughts were jumbled, flashes of the previous evening coming back to her in hazy fragments—Jude's teasing smile, the way his hand had brushed hers, the tension that had built between them over dinner.
Alexa forced herself to sit up, rubbing her temples as she tried to make sense of it all. It had been just a part of the plan, she reminded herself.
All of it—the dinner, the banter, the touches that lingered just a bit too long—was to keep up appearances, to sell their story to the media. But as she got out of bed and made her way to the bathroom, she couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted between them.
She splashed cold water on her face, hoping it would clear her head, but it only seemed to sharpen the memories of the night before. She'd been playing with fire, letting herself get too close to Jude, too comfortable in his presence.
And now she was paying the price, her mind a whirl of confusion and second-guessing.
With a sigh, Alexa towelled off her face and headed to the kitchen, craving coffee and something to take the edge off the headache. As she waited for the coffee to brew, her phone buzzed on the counter.
She picked it up, her heart skipping a beat when she saw Jude's name on the screen.
-How's your head this morning?
She rolled her eyes, a small smile tugging at the corner of her mouth despite herself. He must have known she'd be feeling the effects of the wine.
-Could be worse. You?
His reply was almost immediate.
-Fit as ever. Guess you'll have to work on your tolerance.
She couldn't help but chuckle at his cheeky response. There was something infuriatingly charming about the way he never missed an opportunity to tease her, to push her buttons just enough to get a rise out of her. It was part of what made him so... intoxicating. And that was exactly what worried her.
-I'll manage. Thanks for last night... I think.
She hesitated before sending the message, not wanting to give him too much satisfaction. But it was true—despite the confusion swirling in her head, she had to admit that she'd enjoyed their time together. More than she probably should have.
His response came through, and she could practically hear the smirk in his words.
-Anytime. Just remember, it's all part of the plan.
