The One She Needed

ELEVEN

ALEX

I tried to talk him out of it. Begged him, even. But Derek was set on canceling, as if her night—her big night—meant nothing. And when he tossed his black card my way, expecting me to buy her off with jewellery, my blood boiled.

I left it where it landed.

He could play games with anyone else, but not her. Not the woman he claimed to love. Maybe if I had told her the truth about his infidelities, all of this could have been avoided. But I hadn't. And the reason why sat heavy in my chest.

Maybe it was fear.

Not of losing my job, though that should've been my concern. Not even of what she might say. No, my fear was simpler.

I wasn't sure I was what she wanted.

The world had a way of making that clear. The stares when we were together, the whispers. Our different appearances didn't help either, and she—polite as she was—never gave me a reason to think she saw me as more than Derek's assistant.

Still, I slipped.

That night played in my mind on a cruel loop—her warmth, her lips, the way she had let herself go in my arms. Now, redemption felt out of reach.

But I didn't care.

I wanted her.

Grabbing my things, I shoved them into my bag without care. My gaze flicked to the bin where Derek's invitation sat, discarded without a second thought. I plucked it out and left without another word.

***

From the moment I arrived, the weight of the place pressed in. The luxury hotel loomed over me, its grand chandeliers casting a golden glow through the tall glass windows. Outside, the elite of the city milled about—wealthy businessmen, celebrities, power players. It was a world I didn't belong to, but tonight, that didn't matter.

Handing my keys to the valet, I adjusted the cuffs of my tux—one I only ever wore for special occasions—and stepped inside. My pulse hammered, each step toward the event space fueling my adrenaline.

No turning back now.

Flashing Derek's invitation at the entrance, I pushed through the crowd. The room dripped in opulence—polished marble floors, a string quartet playing in the corner, champagne flowing freely. But none of it mattered.

I was searching for her.

And then, I saw her.

She stole the breath right from my lungs. Her makeup flawless, her hair sleek and straight, but it was the way the dress hugged her curves that made my throat tighten.

God help me.

I gripped the flowers in my hand, barely noticing how hard my fingers clenched around the stems as I made my way toward her. She was in conversation, her laughter light, eyes bright, but the second she saw me, she fell silent.

Excusing herself, she closed the distance between us.

"Alex, what are you doing here?" she asked, her lips curving into that smile of hers—the one that always undid me.

I stepped closer, slipping an arm around her waist, pulling her in until there was barely an inch between us.

"Doing what I do best," I murmured, voice low, my breath brushing her ear. "Saving you."

Her breath hitched, and I smirked.

This woman would be the end of me.

I placed the flowers in her hands. "This is your big night. You deserve all the support you can get."