Men Are Prada Shoes

CHAPTER 9

ALINA

Alex’s gaze dragged slowly over me as I walked toward him, and it took every ounce of self-control not to visibly react in disgust.

There was something deeply unsettling about the way he looked at women, like he believed he already owned anyone standing in front of him.

Instead of moving closer to him like he probably expected, I walked past the women surrounding him and sat down on the sofa directly opposite him. Crossing my legs elegantly, I leaned back slightly and looked at him through lowered lashes, keeping my expression composed.

Alex tilted his head with amusement, the glass of scotch dangling loosely between his fingers.

“After all that bold talk about buying every drink on my table just to get access to me,” he drawled lazily, “I thought you’d at least come sit beside me.”

My gaze flickered briefly toward the women seated around him. One had her hand spread across his chest while another lazily played with the edge of his beard, both clearly trying to keep his attention fixed on them.

I looked back at him without the slightest hint of intimidation.

“I’m Alina Voss,” I replied, my voice slightly slurred for effect. “I have never competed for a man… and I never will.”

For a moment, he simply stared at me.

Then slowly, the corner of his lips lifted into a grin. His eyes remained locked on mine without blinking, like he was trying to figure me out.

“You’d better be worth the trouble,” he muttered.

Without warning, he shoved away the woman touching his beard.

She stumbled sideways so suddenly she nearly knocked the other woman beside her over in the process, both of them scrambling awkwardly to steady themselves.

Not a single apology left his mouth.

And somehow, that told me everything I needed to know about the kind of man Alex really was.

“Get out,” Alex growled, his voice low and impatient, but his eyes never once left mine. “All of you.”

The women froze briefly before quickly gathering themselves. One after another, they stood from the sofa and quietly walked out of the private booth without protest. Within seconds, the room that had been filled with perfume, laughter, and fake affection became completely silent.

Now, it was just the two of us.

Alex leaned back comfortably against the sofa once the last woman disappeared behind the curtain. Then he patted the empty space beside him slowly, the corner of his lips lifting again.

“There,” he said. “I finally cleared the space for you.”

His grin widened slightly.

“Come sit.”

I looked at the exact spot he had touched, then back at him without moving an inch.

I might need something from Alex, but that didn’t mean I was willing to become another woman throwing herself at his feet for attention.

“I’m not sitting on a sofa where you just entertained a dozen women,” I replied.

The amusement on his face slowly faded.

His jaw tightened visibly, irritation flashing briefly across his expression.

“Then why the f**k did you come over here?” he snapped.

For a moment, my own temper threatened to rise in response.

But I forced it down immediately.

Swallow your pride, Alina.

You didn’t come here to fight him.

You came here for a reason.

Don’t ruin everything before it even starts.

Slowly uncrossing my legs, I pushed myself up from the sofa and began walking toward him instead.

I swayed my hips lightly as I moved, fully aware of the effect it was having on him. His eyes followed the movement instantly, exactly where I wanted his attention to stay.

By the time I stopped in front of him, the irritation on his face had already shifted into something else entirely. interest. Curiosity. Possession.

Leaning down slightly, I moved just close enough to catch the scent of his cologne without actually touching him.

Expensive. Strong. Overwhelming.

Still holding his gaze, I let a slow smile touch my lips.

“Maybe,” I murmured softly, “I came to see if you’re actually worth all the attention you demand.”

The bastard leaned forward again, clearly attempting to kiss me but I reacted instantly, turning my face away before his lips could land on mine.

A flicker of irritation crossed his expression.

I angered him, and just as quickly, I worked to fix it.

I grabbed his tie and yanked him forward, closing the distance between us. His body moved with the pull, his surprise fading into lust, his eyes darkening as his eyes lowered to my lips.

“Let’s take this home, shall we?” I murmured.

His eyes narrowed, his breath warm against my face, the tip of his nose brushing mine as he studied me like he was trying to decide if I was bold or insane.

“Were you sent by the paparazzi?” he rasped. “Is this some attempt to get photos of my house?”

A soft chuckle escaped me.

Slowly, I released his tie and leaned back just enough to create space between us again.

“I was talking about mine.”

That caught him off guard.

“You want to take me to your house?” he asked, slightly confused now, as if the idea didn’t fit into the version of me he had already built in his head.

I tilted my head slightly, studying him.

“When I give a man the biggest orgasm of his life,” I said calmly, “I prefer to do it in a space I’m most comfortable in. And that’s my house.”

He licked his lips slowly, eyes dropping for a fraction of a second before lifting again. He glanced toward his security stationed nearby.

“If I’m to agree to that,” he said finally, “then my security comes with me.”

I shrugged, already turning away from him, back to the sofa I had just left to retrieve my purse.

“I don’t have any issue with that,” I replied, then glanced at him over my shoulder. “Surely you don’t think I’m trying to assassinate you or something.”

That made him laugh.

“Dying between your legs isn’t such a bad way to go,” he said, voice rough with amusement.

I rolled my eyes and stepped out of the booth first, expecting him to follow and of course he did. By the time I reached my car, he was right beside me, close enough that his hand circled my waist.

“I’m going to get a kiss before you get into that car with me,” he insisted, his voice lower now, thicker arousal. “Give me something to hold onto before we get there.”

I took a slow breath, forcing my nerves down. Outwardly, I stayed calm.

Alex stepped closer, his gaze locked on mine as his hand tightened slightly on my waist, anchoring me in place.

“You can’t have me acting like this around you,” he murmured, frustration and desire tangled in his tone. “And not give me something in return.”

He took my hand and guided it straight to his d**k, grazing it on his thick erection. “You can’t get me this hard with your attitude and not at least give me a kiss.”

Trying not to let my irritation show on my face, I chose the better option which is kissing him.

My fingers slid up, catching the edge of his jacket as I pulled him in just enough to close the space between us.

And then I kissed him.

It wasn’t soft. It wasn’t hesitant.

For a moment, he froze like he hadn’t expected me to actually do it.

Then his hand shifted at my waist, pulling me even more closer.

David’s voice kept ringing in my head as I rolled my tongue with Alex’s

When you kiss them, think of your favourite ice cream…

And that was what I did. While my lips sucked on Alex’s, while his hand roamed my waist, I thought of a large chocolate ice cream plate.

His other hand suddenly tightened around my waist, pulling me closer before I could pull away, his erection digging into my lower stomach, and I just could not think of ice cream anymore.

Pulling away from the kiss, I reached up and wiped my hard earned FENTY lipstick from his lips with my thumb.

“I don’t make out in parking lots, Alex,” I whispered, my voice seductive as I smiled up at him. “You’re the first, and you’d better make sure I don’t regret it later.”

His gaze darkened at my words and he bit lightly at his lower lip, nodded once, and finally released me.

He walked around the car without another word and got into the passenger seat.

I followed, slipping into the driver’s seat.

The moment the door shut, I reached into my purse, pulled out my phone, and quickly typed a message to Davida.

SUCCESSFULLY PULLED HIM IN. WE’RE ON OUR WAY HOME. MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS READY. THAT BASTARD KISSED ME! GET ME THE BEST MOUTHWASH.

I hit send immediately.

Then, just as quickly, I deleted the message and returned my phone to my purse.

Starting the car, I eased it out of the parking lot.

A few seconds of silence passed before Alex finally spoke from the passenger seat.

“Who did you just text?”

I kept my eyes on the road. “My housekeeper. I just gave her the night off.”