Emily was taken aback by Alexander's unexpectedly warm behavior, leaving her both surprised and shocked.Even with Alexander's kindness, Emily wanted to leave her confining situation as soon as possible.
Despite the extravagant life she led, her heart ached for the freedom of her past, yearning to be a carefree bird once more.
Alexander, on the contrary, was consumed by the relentless thoughts of Emily, and the passionate desire he felt for her left him thoroughly drained, struggling under the weight of an exhausting and insatiable attraction.
Despite his efforts to maintain decorum and self-control around her, Alexander's inherently controlling nature was adding complexity to his interactions with Emily.
"Are you okay, Mr. Caesar?" inquired one of the managers, his absence from a crucial meeting catching the attention of the board of directors.
"Hmm? Yes, absolutely," Alexander responded, attempting to refocus his attention and shake off the distracting thoughts that had preoccupied him moments earlier.
As the meeting resumed, he made a concerted effort to regain his full attention. However, just as he started to engage in the discussion, a sudden knock on the door sent his focus scattering once more.
The door creaked open slowly, revealing Emily with herbal teas for everyone in the meeting. Alexander, taken completely by surprise, sat there with his mouth slightly agape, a mixture of astonishment and gratitude in his eyes.
Emily's appearance in a short silk tea pink dress, her long black hair pulled back with a bandana, and her exposed legs, along with her glossy lips, sent a powerful sensation coursing through Alexander, leaving him momentarily spellbound.
Alexander understood that this attraction was purely physical, devoid of any emotional connection. Yet, the intensity of this feeling was unlike anything he had ever experienced in his entire life, an unfamiliar craving that left him bewildered.
"Good afternoon, everyone," she entered hesitantly, instantly becoming the center of attention.
The room filled with echoing greetings as she carefully served tea to everyone. Meanwhile, Alexander couldn't take his eyes off her. It was the first time he found himself helplessly captivated, following her every move like a hungry man eyeing freshly cooked food.
Emily couldn't help but notice Alexander's intense gaze, but she misinterpreted it as something more than just lust.
With a gentle smile, she approached Alexander and set the cup of tea before him. As she leaned down, her feminine cologne filled Alexander's nostrils, leaving him momentarily lost in the sensation, prompting him to take a deep breath to savor it all.
The intensity hung in the air, and he couldn't help but despise the fact that they were surrounded by a crowd of people.
With a graceful nod, she turned away and made her way towards the exit. Alexander's eyes remained fixed on hers, refusing to waver.
She disappeared as if she were thin air, and the meeting resumed, but Alexander had completely lost control of his thoughts and attention.
"My apologies, but may I request a moment of your understanding?" Alexander politely asked to all the meeting members.
With urgency, he bolted toward the exit door, leaving everyone in the room bewildered and taken aback.
He practically sprinted, catching sight of Emily as she leisurely made her way toward the kitchen, completely unaware of what was about to unfold.
"Emily," his voice resonated in the empty corridor.
Startled, Emily turned and saw Alexander approaching her rapidly, taking long, hurried strides.
"Mr. Caesar?" Emily barely had time to process the situation before Alexander grabbed her hand and swiftly pulled her toward a narrow, empty passage leading to the emergency exit.
Shock and fear flashed across her face as he pressed her against the wall, closing the distance between them.
In that intense moment, with their bodies pressed closely together, Alexander's impatience and desire were palpable. Their lips met in a heated, lingering kiss that ignited a passionate fire between them.
Time seemed to stand still as they shared this electrifying connection, lost in the sensation of their mouths locked in a fervent embrace, their breaths mingling, and their bodies pressed against each other.
"What if someone catches us?" she whispered, her breath trembling as Alexander briefly paused. They both panted heavily, their closeness making their breaths intermingle, but he couldn't bear to be apart from her at that moment.
"I don't care; I just can't keep my distance from you," he replied, his voice trembling with heavy breathing.
Before she could utter another word, his lips met her neck, bestowing soft, lingering kisses on all her sensitive spots. Her passionate response was immediate, and she moaned uncontrollably as his fingers traced sensuous patterns across her back. In the throes of desire, she pressed herself tightly against him, unable to resist the magnetic pull between them.
The intensity of the moment consumed him entirely, and he was overtaken by desire as she let out passionate moans. "Stop, Alexander," she exclaimed suddenly, causing him to halt abruptly.
Their gazes locked, and both of them breathed heavily. He offered her a wicked smile.
"I loved the way you said my name," he chuckled, noticing a brief moment of embarrassment cross her face.
After planting a swift kiss on her lips, he softly whispered, "Time to get back to work," and then proceeded to return to the meeting room, leaving her feeling utterly overwhelmed.
As days turned into weeks, the intensity of their encounters only grew, fueled by an insatiable desire that seemed to have taken hold of them both. These incidents began occurring frequently, as he kept seeking opportunities to be alone with her. Basements, parked cars, vacant corridors, elevators, even his office - almost every vacant corner of the office became their rendezvous point. Their passionate encounters escalated with each passing day, and Alexander found himself struggling to maintain control, determined not to cross any boundaries.
He made a conscious effort to avoid after-office encounters, fearing he might lose control over his desires. Following their last uncomfortable experience, he resolved to prioritize her consent above all else. Their passionate encounters remained limited to passionate kisses, with no further escalation.
Emily, on the other hand, found herself emotionally invested in their secret liaisons. She couldn't help but wonder if Alexander's increasing attentiveness and fiery kisses were signs of deeper feelings. Unintentionally, she began misinterpreting his true intentions, believing that there was more to their connection than just physical desire.
In the midst of their clandestine encounters, the line between professional boundaries and personal desires blurred, setting the stage for an unpredictable future.
"I'm sorry to convey this, sir, but Mr. Bryan has specifically requested a meeting with you to conclude this deal," Jacob informed Alexander during the meeting.
The unexpected news from Jacob left Alexander feeling flustered and ill-prepared for an international deal.
"For how many days?" Alexander inquired with a firm tone, determined not to reveal his true emotions to anyone.
"For nearly two days and two nights. Mr. Bryan has extended an invitation for you to visit his main resort in New Mexico," Jacob provided the details.
With a sigh, Alexander inquired, "Who will be accompanying me on this trip?"
"It's not certain yet, sir, but if you prefer, I can arrange for Lisa, to accompany you. Alternatively, being the project manager, I can join you myself," he offered helpfully.
A profound silence enveloped the atmosphere as Alexander's thoughts delved into deeper contemplation.
Jacob, maintaining his respectful stance, inquired, "With all due respect, sir, what's your opinion on this matter?"
"No, it is alright. You both should stay, in my absence, it's essential that someone oversees our other projects here. I'll take Robert with me," Alexander concluded after careful consideration.
Jacob nodded firmly and began jotting down the necessary details.
"Begin preparations for our trip, and also, inform Emily that she's coming with us," Alexander casually informed, leaving Jacob completely startled by the unexpected addition.
"Are you referring to Ms. Emily, the dietitian, sir?" he asked in astonishment, seeking confirmation.
"Yes, Ms. Emily, the dietitian," Alexander confirmed, surprising Jacob once more with the choice.
"I apologize, sir, but there doesn't seem to be a need for her on this trip," Jacob attempted to explain, his words laced with a hint of apprehension due to Alexander's demeanor.
Alexander locked eyes with Jacob in a piercing yet resolute gaze, then politely responded, "I need her, Jacob. She's my personal dietitian, and I can't compromise on my health."
Recognizing that further discussion was futile, Jacob simply nodded in acknowledgment and began the preparations for the trip.
*************
"Are you serious? Why would I need to go to New Mexico all of a sudden?" Emily asked, clearly taken aback by the unexpected news as Jacob disclosed the details of the trip in the office cafeteria.
Cafeteria conversations often held a certain level of intrigue for Lisa, Jacob, and Emily, especially given the simmering tensions between Emily and Alexander.
Lisa leaned in, grinning wickedly as she nudged Emily with her elbow. "So, Emily, you're going on a business trip with Mr. Caesar? Must be exciting, just the two of you."
Emily nearly choked on her drink, shooting a panicked glance at Jacob, who seemed unusually interested in the conversation. "Oh, it's just work, Lisa. You know how dedicated Mr. Caesar is to his diet."
Jacob chimed in casually, "Speaking of diets, Emily, you've been helping me make healthier choices too. Maybe we could go over the meal plans sometime?"
Emily, catching onto Jacob's subtle hint, replied with a sly grin, "Of course, Jacob. We can discuss diet plans anytime, especially when it involves helping you stay on track."
Lisa couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at their exchange, sensing there was more to this conversation than met the eye. "Well, well, it sounds like you two have some exciting dietary adventures ahead."
Emily, refusing to be drawn into any further teasing, changed the topic. "By the way, Jacob, have you heard about the new hiking trail that just opened nearby? It's supposed to be stunning."
Jacob's eyes lit up with genuine interest. "No, I haven't, Emily. Tell me more. I've been looking for a good outdoor activity."
Lisa couldn't resist one last playful jab. "Oh, hiking, how romantic! You two should definitely go together."
Emily chuckled, shaking her head. "Lisa, you have such a wild imagination. Jacob and I are just friends and I have no plan to go anywhere at the moment ."
Jacob, his interest in Emily no longer subtle, added with a wink, "Well then, Emily, it's a date. Hiking, friends only, of course, and you must come."
Lisa laughed, seeing that Emily was still not taking the bait, and decided to drop the teasing for now. It seemed that the dynamics between these three colleagues were growing more complex by the day, but Emily on the other hand was more worried about the trip and totally skeptical about the sinister intentions Alexander having.