The Firefighter Returns as a Quintillionaire King novel Chapter 21

CHAPTER 21

“Your ankle needs to stay elevated,” Alex said firmly, settling her into a chair and propping her foot up on another chair with a cushion. “Doctor’s orders.”

They ate dinner together, the conversation flowing easily despite the awkwardness of earlier.

Mia told him about her husband, how he’d died in a car accident two years ago, how she’d

been lost ever since.

Alex shared stories about his career as a firefighter, the good saves and the ones that still haunted him.

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“You’re a good man, Alex Carter,” Mia said softly as they finished eating. “Your wife was a fool to let you go.”

“My soon-to-be ex-wife,” Alex corrected with a sad smile. “And I think we both know that marriage was over long before the fire.”

After dinner, Alex cleaned up the dishes and then returned to find Mia trying to stand on her

own.

“What are you doing?” he scolded gently. “You’re supposed to rest that ankle.”

“I need to get to my bedroom,” Mia said. “I can’t sleep on the couch.”

Without a word, Alex bent down and scooped her up again, one arm under her knees, one supporting her back. Mia let out a small sound of surprise, her arms going around his neck.

“You really don’t have to keep carrying me,” she murmured, though she made no move to

protest.

“I know,” Alex said simply.

He carried her down the hallway to her bedroom, shouldering the door open.

The room was decorated in soft blues and grays, with that same stunning view of the city.

He gently lowered her onto the bed, making sure her injured ankle was propped up on pillows.

“There,” he said. “Need anything else? Water? Pain medication?”

Mia looked up at him, her eyes soft in the dim light from the bedside lamp. “Alex…”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you. For everything today. For being…” She reached up and cupped his face with one hand. “For being you.”

Before Alex could respond, Mia pulled him down and kissed him. It was soft, tentative, questioning-nothing like the desperate, drugged kisses from Sherry the night before. This

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CHAPTER 21

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kiss was gentle, sweet, filled with genuine emotion.

For a moment, Alex froze. Then, despite all his better judgment, he found himself kissing her back. His hand came up to tangle in her still-damp hair, and Mia made a soft sound in the back of her throat.

Reality crashed back in, and Alex pulled away abruptly, his face flushed. “Mia, I… I can’t. This is…”

“I’m sorry,” Mia whispered, looking embarrassed. “I shouldn’t have-”

“No, it’s not that. You’re amazing. You’re beautiful and kind and…” Alex took a step back, running his hand through his hair. “But I just left my wife. I’m a mess right now. And you deserve better than to be someone’s rebound.”

Mia’s expression softened. “Alex-”

“I should go,” Alex said quickly, backing toward the door. “Get some rest. Call me if you need anything.”

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