My Ex-Husband And My Sister

Chapter 8 Sophia's Pov

I spent the next two days trying to negotiate my way out of the deal.

Emails. Calls. Meetings. I did everything.

And yet, every single time, Alex refused.

“This is business, Sophia,” he said smoothly during one of our calls. “The collaboration is already in motion. The media has picked it up. Investors are watching. Pulling out now?” He let out a low chuckle. “That would be a disaster for the both of us.”

I gritted my teeth while I gripped my phone so hard I thought it might snap. “Then let it be a disaster for me. I’ll handle it.”

“You don’t understand.” His voice was calm and patient as he spoke. In a way, I found it more Infuriating. “This isn’t just about you. Your company isn’t the only one with something at stake. You backing out now would create a ripple effect.”

I exhaled sharply as I pressed my fingers against my temple. “I didn’t sign up for this.”

“Yes, you did,” he said in a voice that was as smooth as silk. I hated how it sent shivers up my spine as I listened to it. “You just didn’t read the fine print.”

I had my eyes narrowed even as I knew he wasn't seeing me at the moment. Something inside me told me that he was enjoying all of this.

That night, I sat on my couch and stared blankly at my laptop screen while I felt a migraine from too much brainstorming come on in my forehead.

I sighed heavily in defeat. No matter which way I looked at it, Alex had me cornered.

And now, thanks to Rebecca’s threats, I had to attend a business ball the following night. The ball was a damn party hat would further cement the partnership between my growing brand and that of Alex in the eyes of the media.

There was no getting out of it.

I was so screwed.

***

Kelly threw open my closet doors with way too much enthusiasm.

“Oh, this is fun. This is so fun.” She clapped her hands like a giddy child as she spoke. “You never go to these kinds of fancy things and now I get to dress you.”

“I feel like I’m being sentenced to death,” I muttered from my spot on the bed.

Kelly turned and placed a hand on her hip. “Dramatic.”

“Realistic.”

She grinned at me as she shook her head. “No. Dramatic. But don’t worry. I’ll make sure you look so good that even that devilish Alex Grayson will be speechless.”

I rolled my eyes at her but I let her work.

Two hours later, I was staring at myself in the mirror and was almost unable to believe it was me.

Kelly had chosen a deep emerald gown that hugged my curves in a way that was almost sinful and caused my hazel eyes to stand out. My long blonde hair was styled in soft waves and my makeup looked subtlea and flawless at the same time.

It was…magical.

Kelly stood behind me as she put her hands on my shoulders. “Damn. I’m good.”

I swallowed as I stared at myself in the mirror. “This is too much.”

“This is just enough.” She turned me to face her and said firmly, “Now, listen…you’re gonna walk into that ball with your head held high, sip champagne like it’s your birthright and pretend you don’t see Alex Grayson even if he’s breathing down your neck. Got it?”

I nodded. “Got it.”

***

I lost within the first five minutes.

Alex was everywhere.

Charming. Smiling. Magnetizing.

The ballroom was bathed in golden light and laughter and clinking glasses permeated the air.

And yet, my entire focus kept snapping back to him.

He was in a perfectly tailored black tux and was exuding power and control with his every move. Every time I tried to steer my attention elsewhere, I’d catch him watching me—his gaze a slow and deliberate drag down my body before it would returned to my eyes with a knowing smirk.

I hated it.

I also hated that I loved it…that my body still reacted to him even when my brain screamed to do otherwise.

I tried to lose myself in conversations here and there in the ballroom but every time I turned, he was there.

A lingering glance. A half-smile. A knowing look. He was really everywhere.

And then, somehow, we ended up alone on the balcony.

I don’t even remember how. One second, I was trying to avoid him. The next, I was out here on the balcony with the cool night air brushing against my skin and my heartbeat loud in my ears.

And then he stepped in. And he came closer to me. I shivered. He was too close right now. Too damn close.

I backed up but the railing was behind me and I couldn't move further. My pulse spiked as I watched him.

He tilted his head while his green eyes gleamed with something I didn’t trust. “You hate me so much, Sophia?” His voice was low as he spoke.

I heard the teasing and dangerous note in his voice and shivered again.

I forced myself to meet his gaze. “Yes.”

He let out a soft chuckle and stepped even closer until we were almost touching and I could feel his heat.

“Well,” he murmured to me. “I actually think you really want me.” His voice was smooth, confident and infuriating as he continued. “Prove me wrong.”

I swallowed even as I fought hard to let my breath hitch.

I couldn't let him see that he was getting to me.

He leaned in slightly just then and I inhaled heavily as his scent wrapped itself intoxicatingly around me. “Show me that you can win this without running away.” His eyes flickered down my body then back up as he continued. “Because if you keep running…”

He smirked just then when his voice trailed off. “I’ll have to assume it’s because you want a repeat of that night.”

I sucked in a sharp breath as I looked into his eyes.

I could clearly see that that he was daring me.