chapter 2
1121 Words
Alexi swallowed, trying to steady the shake in her voice. She forced her shoulders back, pretending she wasn’t terrified as she stood before the powerful, wealthy man people spoke about in whispers.
“Your guy Maxwell broke my phone,” she said firmly, refusing to back down. “And I need it fixed.”
He lifted a brow, his voice sharp with authority.
“How much is your phone?”
“Oh, I get it.” She placed her hand on her hip, shifting her weight with attitude. “What if I say one million? Will you just hand it over?”
The slight movement caused one of her top buttons to slip open. His eyes dropped—slowly, dangerously—taking in her hazel eyes, her natural red lips, the wild triangle of blunt hair framing her face… then finally stopping at the soft curve of her newly exposed cleavage. His gaze lingered, unbothered, before drifting back up.
She wasn’t dressed in anything expensive, yet she held herself boldly—stunning without trying. For the first time in years, something flickered inside him.
Interesting. Very interesting.
“Do you work here?” he asked.
“Yes. So?” she lifted her chin—only to freeze when he suddenly smiled. A slow, deep, devastating smile. Then he began walking toward her.
“What—what are you doing?” she whispered.
“Can I ask you for a favor?” he said, stepping closer. Far too close.
His cologne surrounded her—warm, expensive, intoxicating. Oh God… her knees nearly gave out. That perfume alone probably cost more than her whole salary.
He glanced around at the crowd, the press, the cameras.
Perfect opportunity.
“This,” he said.
Before she could react, he slid an arm around her waist, pulled her firmly against him, and crushed his lips onto hers.
Alexi gasped, pushing weakly at his chest—but his lips were warm, soft, dangerously addictive. And she hadn’t been kissed like this in so long. Her resistance crumbled. Her fingers curled into his shirt.
The kiss deepened.
They moved like people who knew each other—like heat meeting heat. She tasted like something new, something he had never experienced, something he didn’t even realize he had been craving.
He wanted more.
More.
She clung to his arms, dizzy, tasting him back. Even his tongue felt sweet. No man had ever kissed her with this kind of intensity. Her body trembled from the shock of it.
He finally pulled away, staring at her as if even he couldn’t believe what he had just done.
He never lost control. Not in business. Not in life. Yet a stranger had somehow pulled it out of him.
Dangerous woman.
And he liked it.
Alexi dragged in breath, barely steady on her feet. Cameras flashed wildly. Her lips parted in pure shock.
Then suddenly—someone grabbed her waist.
Before she could protest, she was pulled into a sleek black car. She turned, breathless, only to find Nico Vincenzo sitting beside her, staring out the window as the car began moving.
The leather smelled rich, warm. She inhaled despite herself.
“There has to be an explanation for this, Mr. Vincenzo,” she said, voice trembling.
He smiled. So she knew his name.
“Of course, miss.” His smile was slow and sinful—exactly what she didn’t need right now.
“In every action,” he said calmly, “there is a reason.”
Then he glanced at Maxwell.
“Stop the car.”
The car halted. Nico looked at her again.
“Let’s talk outside.”
“O-okay…” she murmured, stepping out with him.
They moved to an open, quiet space away from the press and chaos.
He faced her fully, hands in his pockets.
“What’s your name?”
“Alexi Carter,” she said, crossing her arms. “But you can call me Lexi. Now my turn.”
She stepped closer.
“What the hell was that? You saw the reporters. And you still kissed me!”
“You kissed me back,” he cut in.
“ME? It—it was a mistake,” she argued. “You didn’t give me any choice!”
“Alright Alexi, listen.”
“Yes, explain,” she said, pushing back her hair, leaning forward. He almost smiled at how unintentionally cute she looked but forced himself to stay focused.
“I’ll pay you ten million dollars to pretend to be my girlfriend. For two weeks.”
She froze.
Was he serious?
Was this man talking to HER?
“Wait… what did you just say?” she whispered.
“You heard me.” He stepped closer, towering over her. “I assume you’re not deaf, Miss Lexi.”
She stared at his annoyingly perfect face.
“And why do you want me to pretend to be your girlfriend?”
“That,” he said calmly, “is not your concern. Not yet. If you agree, I’ll tell you everything.”
“Mr. Vincenzo,” she said sharply. “Do you think I’m cheap? That I’ll just obey you because you throw money around?”
God, she looked beautiful like this. Too beautiful.
He wanted to kiss her again.
“I know you need the money,” he said bluntly. “A few minutes ago you were screaming about your phone. A phone that was probably already half-dead.”
His voice was arrogant—yet every word hit too close.
“I’m guessing you have responsibilities. Family. Bills. I know you need the money more than I do.”
“Mr. Vincenzo,” she hissed, “do not insult me.”
“Not insulting you,” he replied, softer now. “I’m stating the truth. I’m a direct man.”
He pulled out a sleek black card and held it out. She just stared, stunned. So he gently took her hand, placed the card into her palm, and let her go.
“Here. Call me when you’ve decided.”
He stepped back but kept his eyes locked on hers.
“And remember… I can pick any woman for this. Believe me, I could fill a line of them. I only approached you because I thought you needed it more.”
She opened her mouth—but before she could speak, he leaned in and brushed a slow, soft kiss against her lips.
Her breath disappeared.
Then he turned and walked away, heading for his car.
“What… just happened?” she whispered as the sleek vehicle drove off.
Inside the car, Nico exhaled slowly.
He liked her more than he expected.
And that kiss?
It better not be the last.
- Writer
