Chapter Three
1207 Words
Alexa POV
After getting home, I locked my bedroom door and sulked, drinking wine and watching romance movies.
“Why can't I experience love like this?” I whined into the phone to Aria.
“Love like what, babes?” Aria asked, looking up from her laptop on the video call.
“Hot rich Italian guy, older than me, amazing s*x, obsessed with me, treats me like a princess, and spanks me when I'm bad,” I cried into the phone.
Aria laughed.
“I have an idea, but you're gonna have to put your anger aside and call Mr. Italian.”
“No way.
You know what I think? I think Rafael knows I have a stupid thing for him that makes me act like a horny teenager, and he's playing with my feelings. I bet he didn't mean half of the s**t he said in the car.
I bet he does like younger girls he can baby and spoil rotten.”
“Calm down, crazy. We’re going to find out,” Aria replied.
“How are we going to do that?” I pouted.
“Just call him first.”
I sighed. “Fine—but what am I even going to say?”
“Well—” Aria was cut short by my dad knocking on my door.
“Hold on,” I whispered before muting her. “It's open!”
“Alexa, we need to talk,” my father said, stepping in. “You see, Rafael has business and client meetings to attend abroad, and I was wondering if you would accompany him as his assistant.”
“Sure, where?”
“Paris.”
“Paris?” My heart skipped a beat. The city of love. With him. “Can I think about it?” I asked, playing it cool.
“Of course, sweetheart,” Dad replied before walking out.
I unmuted the phone immediately. “Aria! Paris!”
“Please tell me you're going to Paris with him!”
“I don't know, Ari...” I sighed, trying to resist the temptation.
“I'm literally in Paris for work right now too! We can scheme on how to get this man into your bed—or you into his—together,” she squealed.
“Oh my god, you're right.” My eyes widened. “I'm gonna say yes.”
I sent a quick text to my dad.
“I gotta go now, got stuff to finish. I'll call you when I'm done. Bye, love you!” Aria blew me a kiss before hanging up.
I was about to put my phone away and enjoy the rest of my day binge-watching movies when my phone rang. An unknown caller. I wondered who it was.
“Alexa?”
Shit. It was Rafael.
“Yeah?” I replied, trying to sound completely uninterested.
“Are you mad at me?”
“Why would I be mad at you, Rafael? We’re just business partners, right? Or am I just your favorite 'little girl' to boss around?” I tried to sound bored, but I was gripping my phone so hard my knuckles were white.
I heard him take a slow, deep breath. “Don’t start with me, Alexa. You ran into the house like I was a monster. I don't like it when people walk away while I'm talking.”
“Well, I don't like being told I'm too young to be taken seriously,” I snapped back. “Maybe I just had better things to do. Like planning my outfits for Paris.”
There was a long pause. I could almost feel his frustration through the phone. “I’m outside your house. Come down.”
“What? No. I’m in my pajamas and I’m right in the middle of a movie.”
“I didn’t ask if you were busy, amore. I told you to come down. We need to talk about the trip, and I’m not doing it over the phone.”
My heart started thumping against my ribs. Was he outside? Right now? I looked down at my silk robe. It was short—like, really short. Be a good girl and go change, his voice whispered in my head.
A little spark of mischief lit up inside me. No. If he wanted to see his assistant, he could see exactly what he was missing.
“Fine. Give me a minute,” I said, hanging up.
I checked myself in the mirror.
My hair was a little messy, and the silk robe hugged every curve. I didn't put on any leggings or a sweater. I wanted to see if his "professional" mask would break.
I walked downstairs and opened the heavy front door. There he was.
He had taken off his suit jacket, and his white shirt was unbuttoned at the top, his sleeves rolled up to show his tanned arms. He looked so good it was unfair.
His eyes dropped immediately. He looked at my bare legs, then slowly back up to my face. For a second, he looked like he forgot how to breathe.
“You’re not exactly dressed for a meeting, Alexa,” he said, his voice sounding a little rougher than usual.
“You’re the one who showed up at my house at night, Rafael. If you wanted professional, you should’ve made an appointment.”
I leaned against the door, trying to act cool. “Anyway, Dad told me about Paris. I’m so excited. Aria says the guys there are gorgeous.
Who knows? Maybe I’ll finally meet the love of my life at some cute French café.”
Rafael took a step closer, totally ignoring my personal space. He was so close I could smell his expensive cologne. It made my head spin.
“You’re going there to work for me, not to hunt for a husband,” he said, his jaw tightening.
“Oh, please. I can do both! I’ll be your assistant by day, and then I can go out on dates at night.
Imagine—a tall, romantic Frenchman who doesn't think I'm a 'little girl.'” I gave him a fake, sweet smile.
Rafael suddenly slammed his hand against the doorframe right next to my head. I jumped a little, my breath catching in my throat. He leaned down until his face was inches from mine.
“Let’s get one thing straight,” he hissed, his dark eyes searching mine. “You’ll be staying in my suite. For safety.”
“Your suite?” I whispered.
“My suite,” he confirmed. “Paris is a big city. I’m not letting you wander off to meet some random guy. You’ll be where I can see you at all times.”
He reached out, his thumb slowly brushing my jawline. My whole body felt like it was on fire.
“Go to sleep, Alexa. We leave at 6:00 AM. And for God’s sake, pack some real clothes. I don't want to spend the whole trip fighting off every man who looks at you.”
Before I could even think of a comeback, he turned and walked back to his car. I stood there in the doorway, my heart hammering like crazy, watching his taillights disappear.
- Writer
