Three weeks later, Sophia stood in her walk-in closet, staring at the elegant emerald green dress Alexander had personally selected for her. The Steele Industries charity gala was tonight, and the dress was nothing short of stunning, silk that hugged every curve, with a neckline that was tasteful yet undeniably alluring.
"Not as staff," Alexander had said when he'd asked her to accompany him. "As my date."
The word 'date' had sent shivers through her that she was still feeling.
Emma bounced on Sophia's bed, watching her get ready with rapt attention. "You look like a movie star, Sophia!"
Through the mirror, Sophia saw Alexander appear in the doorway, and the look that crossed his face made her breath catch. His eyes traveled slowly down her body, drinking in every detail with an intensity that made her skin flush.
"Emma," Alexander said, his voice slightly hoarse, "go find Mrs. Morrison. She has a special snack for you and Ethan."
Once they were alone, Alexander stepped into the room, closing the door behind him. The click of the lock made Sophia's pulse race.
"You're incredible," he said, moving toward her with predatory grace. "Absolutely breathtaking."
"Alexander..." she began, but he silenced her by pressing close behind her, his hands settling on her waist as they both faced the mirror.
"Do you see what I see?" he murmured against her ear, his breath sending shivers down her spine. "How beautiful you are? How perfect do we look together?"
In the mirror, Sophia could see how his large hands spanned her waist, how perfectly she fit against his tall frame. The image was intoxicating.
"Everyone's going to be looking at you tonight," Alexander continued, his lips brushing the shell of her ear. "But you're mine, aren't you, Sophia?"
The possessive edge in his voice made the heat pool low in her belly. "Am I?"
Alexander's hands tightened on her waist as he met her eyes in the mirror. "Say it. Say you're mine."
"I'm yours," she whispered, the words feeling like both a confession and a promise.
The drive to the Four Seasons was electric with tension. Alexander's hand rested high on her thigh, his thumb tracing maddening circles through the silk of her dress. Every touch sent sparks through her system.
"You're playing with fire," she warned him as they waited for the valet.
Alexander's smile was wicked. "I know exactly what I'm doing."
The ballroom was magnificent, but Sophia barely noticed the opulent decorations. She was hyperaware of Alexander's hand at the small of her back, the way he pulled her closer whenever another man approached.
"Alexander!" Richard Hartwell approached with his usual charm. "And the lovely Miss Martinez. My dear, you look absolutely radiant tonight."
"Thank you, Mr. Hartwell," Sophia replied graciously, but she could feel Alexander's tension beside her.
As the evening progressed, Sophia found herself the center of attention in a way she'd never experienced. Powerful men competed for her conversation, each trying to draw her away from Alexander's side. She handled it all with grace, but she could feel Alexander's growing possessiveness like a living thing.
James Whitmore, heir to a hotel empire and notorious for his way with women, had been particularly persistent. "Perhaps you'd honor me with a dance, Miss Martinez?" he asked, extending his hand.
Before Sophia could respond, Alexander's arm snaked around her waist, pulling her firmly against his side. "I'm afraid Sophia's dance card is full tonight," he said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
"Is it now?" James challenged with an amused smirk. "Perhaps the lady can speak for herself?"
The tension crackled between the two men. Sophia could feel Alexander's muscles coiled like a spring, ready to strike.
"Actually," she said smoothly, "I promised Alexander the next dance. And the one after that. And..." she let her voice trail off meaningfully.
James chuckled and backed away, but not before his eyes lingered on Sophia in a way that made Alexander's jaw clench.
"Possessive, isn't he?" came a silky voice. Marcus Webb materialized beside them with his trademark calculating smile. "Though I can certainly understand why. You're quite the prize, Miss Martinez."
"I'm not a prize to be won," Sophia replied coolly.
"Of course not. But you are wasted as the hired help, don't you think?" Marcus's words were designed to wound, and they hit their mark. "A woman of your... talents... could have any man in this room. Even married men, I'd imagine."
Alexander's control finally snapped. "Webb…"
But Sophia placed a restraining hand on his arm. "Mr. Webb," she said with deadly calm, "I choose to be exactly where I am. With exactly who I want to be with. And that's not something money can buy or manipulate."
She turned to Alexander, her eyes blazing. "I believe you promised me a dance."
On the dance floor, Alexander pulled her into his arms with barely controlled intensity. His hand splayed possessively across her lower back, holding her closer than propriety dictated.
"I wanted to tear his throat out," Alexander growled against her ear.
"I could tell," Sophia murmured, her body responding to the raw need in his voice. "Is this how it's going to be? You getting jealous every time a man looks at me?"
"Yes," Alexander said without hesitation. "Because you're mine, Sophia. Mine to protect, mine to cherish, mine to…"
"To what?" she challenged, her body pressed against his as they swayed to the music.
Alexander's eyes burned into hers. "Mine to love. Mine to have. Completely."
The words sent liquid fire through her veins. "Alexander..."
"I can't wait much longer," he confessed, his voice rough with desire. "Watching other men want you, knowing you come home to me but not really having you... it's driving me insane."
Sophia's breath hitched at the raw honesty in his voice. "What are you saying?"
Alexander's hand slid up her back to tangle in her hair. "I'm saying I want you in my bed, Sophia. I want to worship every inch of your body, make you cry out my name, show you exactly how much you mean to me."
The explicit promise made her knees weak. "The children…"
"Are with Mrs. Morrison for the weekend, remember? We have two days, Sophia. Two days where I can show you exactly how a woman like you should be treated."
The music ended, but they remained locked in each other's arms, the promise hanging between them like a lit fuse.
"Say yes," Alexander whispered urgently. "Say yes and let me take you home. Let me make you mine in every way that matters."
Sophia looked into his eyes, seeing not just desire but love, devotion, and a promise of everything she'd ever wanted.
"Yes," she whispered.
Alexander's smile was triumphant and tender all at once. "Then let's go home, darling. It's time I showed you exactly where you belong."