The CEO's Match

Unseen Eyes

Nova's pov

The sun was blazing as I slipped into my bikini, a sleek, tight-fitting number that left little to the imagination. I always enjoyed the feeling of the sun against my skin, and today was no different. It was the perfect day to relax by the pool and soak up some rays.

I grabbed a fluffy towel and headed out of my hotel room, the crisp fabric draped over my arm. The hotel pool area was just a short walk away, and as soon as I stepped out, I could feel the warmth of the sun enveloping me. The pool was already bustling with guests enjoying the day, and I made my way to an empty lounge chair, settling down with a satisfied sigh.

The first thing I wanted to do was apply some sun protection cream, a necessary step to ensure I didn't end up with an unwanted sunburn. I started slathering it over the parts of my skin that I could reach easily-arms, legs, and shoulders. But when I got to my back, I realized I was in trouble. My arms couldn't quite reach, and the bottle wasn't making the task any easier.

I tried to twist and turn, making a few awkward attempts to get the cream onto my back, but it was clear I wasn't going to manage it without help. Just as I was about to give up and ask someone, I noticed a man in the distance, lounging by the pool and glancing in my direction. He seemed to be watching me with an expression that was both curious and slightly amused.

Before I could think too much about it, he got up and made his way over. He stopped a few feet away from me, clearing his throat as if to get my attention.

"Excuse me," he called out, "I couldn't help but notice you're having a bit of trouble with that. Can I offer you a hand?"

I looked up, and though I had been prepared to handle the situation myself, the offer was more than welcome. "Sure," I said with a grateful smile, handing him the bottle. "I could use a little help."

He took the bottle from me and approached, applying the sunscreen with a practiced hand. His touch was careful and deliberate, and I couldn't help but feel a small rush of relief as the cream began to spread evenly across my back. I wasn't used to having strangers do things for me, but this time, it felt oddly pleasant.

Unbeknownst to me, Alexander was somewhere in the vicinity. I didn't see him, but he saw me. From his vantage point, hidden behind a strategically placed column, he watched as the man helped me with the sunscreen. The sight of another person's hands on me, touching me with such familiarity, stirred something in him-something he wasn't quite ready to acknowledge.

The tightness in his jaw was palpable, and his eyes narrowed slightly as he observed the interaction. He felt a strange mix of emotions: irritation, possessiveness, and an uncomfortable sense of vulnerability. It was an odd feeling for someone who prided himself on maintaining control over every situation.

The man finished applying the sunscreen, handing the bottle back to me with a polite nod. "All done. Enjoy the rest of your day," he said, and with that, he retreated back to his own spot by the pool.

I thanked him, turning back to my lounge chair, completely oblivious to the fact that Alexander had been watching. I relaxed into the chair, letting the warmth of the sun seep into my skin, feeling completely at ease.

As I closed my eyes and listened to the sounds of the pool-laughter, splashing water, and the occasional clinking of glasses-I remained blissfully unaware of the conflict I had just stirred in Alexander. For now, it was all about enjoying the moment, basking in the sunlight, and letting go of the stress that had been following me around.

But as Alexander continued to watch from his hidden spot, his mind was anything but calm. The image of the man's hands on me was a constant irritation, a stark reminder that no matter how much he tried to maintain control, there were forces he couldn't always predict or manage.

And as the sun blazed on, the battle within him continued to simmer, the unresolved feelings about me and the situation we found ourselves in adding another layer to the already complicated dynamic between us.

Alexander's pov

The pool area was supposed to be a place of relaxation, but for me, it had become a scene of uncomfortable tension. I had intended to come here to clear my head, to take a moment away from the suffocating responsibilities and chaotic dynamics of the past few days. What I didn't anticipate was finding myself tangled in a web of emotions I wasn't prepared to confront.

I had noticed Nova as soon as I arrived, her striking outfit and confident stride impossible to ignore. It was like she was a magnet, drawing everyone's attention-mine included. The way she moved, the way she seemed to own every space she walked into, it was impossible to look away.

But what really threw me was the sight of her struggling with the sunscreen. I'd been trying to stay out of her way, to keep my distance as best as possible, but seeing her in that bikini, trying to reach her back, had stirred something in me. Something primal and uncomfortable.

When the man stepped in to help her, I watched from behind the column, my jaw clenched as I saw his hands on her skin. It was a gesture that, on the surface, seemed entirely benign. But to me, it felt like a violation. The ease with which he touched her, the way she accepted his help without a second thought-it all seemed too intimate, too familiar.

It wasn't just about the physical touch, though that certainly irked me. It was more about the way it made me feel-a potent mix of jealousy and possessiveness I wasn't used to grappling with. I had always been the one in control, the one calling the shots. Watching someone else play that role, even for a brief moment, was unsettling.

I tried to shake off the discomfort as I made my way to a nearby lounge chair, keeping my distance but still within view of the pool. I needed to gather my thoughts, to analyze why this situation was affecting me so deeply. I had seen Nova in countless settings, but never like this-so relaxed, so carefree, and yet so provocatively confident.

My phone buzzed in my pocket, a reminder that there was work to be done. I pulled it out and scrolled through emails, but my focus was fragmented. My mind kept drifting back to Nova, to the way she had looked when she was sitting by the pool, her body glistening under the sun, her laughter carried over by the breeze.

The image of her with the sunscreen, the way she had leaned forward, barely aware of the man's attention, replayed in my mind. And with each replay, the frustration grew. It wasn't just the man's touch that bothered me-it was the realization that I was powerless to intervene, powerless to control the situation from a distance.

My gaze kept darting back to her, watching as she seemed to enjoy the day, completely oblivious to the storm she was stirring inside me. I wanted to be the one in control of this situation, to be the one she turned to for help, not some stranger. But the more I tried to reason with myself, the more I realized how irrational my feelings were.

It was clear I needed to address this, to confront whatever was stirring beneath the surface. The feelings of jealousy and possessiveness were foreign and unsettling, but they were real. And they were affecting my ability to think clearly.

As I sat there, trying to piece together my thoughts, I knew one thing for certain: I couldn't let this go on. Not like this. Not with these unresolved emotions clouding my judgment. I had to find a way to address it, to either reestablish my control over the situation or come to terms with the fact that Nova was challenging every boundary I had carefully constructed.

Eventually, I stood up, my decision made. I needed to talk to her, to get this out in the open. I couldn't let these feelings fester any longer, and I couldn't let her continue to provoke me without addressing the underlying issues.

I walked back to the hotel, the mix of emotions still swirling inside me but with a clearer sense of purpose. Whatever was happening between us needed to be dealt with head-on. It was time to confront it and, hopefully, regain the control that felt so precariously out of reach.

But as I approached the hotel, I knew one thing for sure: this was far from over.