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Chapter 9

Lily froze as Clara's words echoed in her mind. Her belongings had been moved to Alexander Kane’s room. She hadn't prepared for this, mentally or emotionally. A shiver of unease coursed through her. It wasn’t passion driving him to do this—it was a necessity. The weight of reality pressed down on her chest, suffocating.

For any other woman, sharing a room with Alexander might have been a dream, but for Lily, it felt like walking into a trap.

"Ma'am?" Clara’s voice snapped her out of her thoughts.

Lily straightened, masking her turmoil. "I’ll head up now. Good night, Clara."

"Good night, ma’am."

The elevator ride to the top floor was suffused with a tension Lily couldn’t shake. When the doors opened, she stepped into a world that felt starkly different from the rest of the house. The air here seemed colder, heavier. The grand double doors loomed before her, and as she pushed one open, the master bedroom greeted her with its imposing elegance.

The space was vast, with dark, masculine tones dominating the decor. Everything screamed wealth and power, yet there was an unsettling emptiness to it. Her gaze flicked to the walk-in closet, where her belongings had been meticulously arranged.

It all felt surreal. A year ago, she had watched him from afar at a business conference, her heart foolishly fluttering at the sight of him. Back then, she had admired him and dreamed of a connection that now seemed laughable. He was a man of steel, emotionally detached and driven by cold pragmatism.

Lily shook off the memories. She wasn’t here for love or dreams. She was here to fulfill a contract—a business transaction with high stakes.

She explored the room briefly, her fingers brushing against the pristine sheets of the bed. The reality of sharing this space with him sent a chill down her spine. She took a deep breath, heading to the en-suite bathroom to wash away the tension clinging to her skin.

After a long bath, she slipped into her nightwear and climbed into bed. Sleep came fitfully, the weight of her situation pressing on her chest.

But hours later, something jolted her awake.

Her eyes shot open, and her breath hitched. Alexander was sitting on the edge of the bed, still in his suit. His face was unreadable, his piercing gaze locked on her.

"You’re back," she said cautiously, sitting up.

He didn’t respond, his silence more oppressive than any words could have been.

"I heard my things were moved here," she pressed, though she already knew why. "Care to explain?"

Alexander stood, his movements deliberate as he removed his jacket and began loosening his tie. "A woman who adds clauses to a contract without hesitation shouldn’t ask such an obvious question," he said, his tone laced with disdain.

Lily bristled at the insult. It was his second one today, and her patience was wearing thin. She clenched her fists, forcing herself to stay calm.

Without a word, she swung her legs off the bed, grabbed her phone, and headed for the door.

But before she could reach it, his hand closed around her wrist, yanking her back with an iron grip.

"And where do you think you’re going?" His voice was low, dangerous.

"Away from you and your insults," she snapped, trying to wrench free.

His grip only tightened. "Don’t test me, Lily."

In one swift motion, he dragged her back and threw her onto the bed. She gasped, her body jolting from the impact. Before she could scramble away, he was on top of her, his weight pinning her down.

"What are you doing?" she demanded, her voice trembling.

"This is your room now," he said, his hand brushing a strand of hair from her face with unsettling gentleness. "Until you’re pregnant."

His words sent a chill through her, but it was his touch—light, almost tender—that made her heart pound. She stared up at him, her breath hitching as his face hovered closer.

Then his lips were on hers, firm and insistent. She froze, her mind racing. This wasn’t part of the plan. She wasn’t supposed to feel anything, yet the heat of his kiss ignited something deep within her.

When he bit her bottom lip, she gasped, giving him the opening he sought. His kiss deepened, consuming her. His hands began to roam, their touch sending shivers down her spine.

She wanted to resist, but her body betrayed her, responding to his every move. It wasn’t just about duty anymore. This was the man she had secretly admired, and now he was unraveling her completely.

Alexander moved with an intensity that left her breathless, his actions both calculated and overwhelming. He was relentless, and by the time he was done, she was utterly spent.

As sleep claimed her, one thought lingered: Was this just for the child, or was there something more?

The next morning, she awoke to find him lying beside her, his gaze fixed on her. Her heart skipped a beat. She quickly turned away, her cheeks flushing as memories of the night flooded her mind.

"I need to get to work," she muttered, trying to rise.

But Alexander’s hand shot out, pulling her back. "You’re not going anywhere," he said, his voice firm.

Lily’s breath caught as he leaned in, his lips brushing her ear. "You’ll stay here until I decide otherwise."

His words sent a shiver down her spine, and when she felt his hand begin to trace the curve of her waist, she knew the night’s intensity was far from over.

And this time, she wasn’t sure if she wanted him to stop.

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