Sham Marriage Quit Real Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 61

She did not even register who was standing around her.

After the initial surprise, Ryan instinctively glanced at Alexander. Alexander returned the look, and Ryan quietly shifted a step to the right, subtly putting space between Elena and the other men.

Elena felt heat building under her skin. She lifted her hand and fanned herself, but the warmth only spread, heavier and harder to ignore.

A warning bell went off in her head. Nathan had crossed a line far worse than she expected. Just to push her into having a child, he had actually slipped something into her drink.

When the elevator reached the third floor, William stepped out and noticed Alexander had not moved.

"Mr. Kingsley?"

"Something urgent came up. Dinner's on me next time," Alexander said.

"...Alright."

Ryan pressed the close button.

Now only the three of them remained inside the elevator. That lingering, almost burning gaze finally pulled Elena back to awareness. She forced her eyes open, trying to stay conscious.

Everything in front of her swayed slightly. She braced one hand against the wall and shook her head hard until her vision steadied enough to focus.

Then she saw him.

"You... what are you doing here?"

Her cheeks were flushed. She walked toward Alexander, unsteady on her feet. Before she could stop herself, she stumbled. He reached out in time and caught her.

The coolness of his body seeped through to her overheated skin, and she leaned into him without thinking.

"That feels... really nice..."

Ryan went completely still.

Alexander shot him a sharp look. Ryan immediately dropped his gaze, pretending to study the floor like it was fascinating.

The heat radiating off her made everything clear to Alexander almost instantly. Elena, still clinging to him, lifted a hand and started touching his face restlessly. To her right now, he felt like a walking ice pack.

Cool, grounding, exactly what she needed.

His throat tightened slightly. "Call Darren. Now."

Ryan understood the situation right away. As soon as the elevator doors opened, he stepped out and made the call.

There could easily be paparazzi outside the hotel. If Alexander walked out carrying Elena like this, the headlines by morning would be out of control.

The elevator doors closed again. Alexander pressed for the ninth floor.

He had a private suite there.

He slipped off his suit jacket and draped it over Elena, then lifted her into his arms. Reaching the room, he opened the door and stepped inside.

Just as he was about to close it, the door across the hall opened.

Nathan walked out, his shirt slightly disheveled, one button undone, a clear red mark visible along his collarbone.

He had not expected to run into Alexander.

There was no discomfort, only a rising, unfamiliar sense of ease that slowly gave way to something deeper.

Ryan and Darren Hayes stood facing each other outside the room.

"...So, do you still need me in there?" Darren asked, scratching his head awkwardly.

Ryan let out a dry laugh. "Yeah... I think they're good."

Without another word, the two of them turned and left.

The next morning, Elena woke to the sound of her alarm. Her head throbbed. She reached toward the nightstand for her phone, but instead her hand landed on something warm.

She froze, then snapped her eyes open. A face, far too handsome and far too close.

Alexander... Why is Alexander in my bed?

Her thoughts felt like they were stuck in mud. She pressed a hand to her forehead as fragmented memories slowly pieced themselves together.

She drank the wine Nathan gave her. She wrapped her arms around Alexander.

She was the one who pulled him closer. Elena shut her eyes again, wishing she could delete the entire memory.

"Still not feeling great?"

Alexander's voice sounded beside her, slightly rough from sleep.

Her body stiffened. She opened her eyes again, trying to figure out how to respond, but his hand was already resting lightly against her forehead.