Chapter 31

Madison

A few minutes into the drive, John pulled over to the side of the road and stopped at the curb. “I’ll take my leave, sir,” he said, glancing in the rearview mirror.

“Sure,” Alexander replied, his eyes fixed on me with an intensity that made my breath catch.

The car door clicked shut behind John, leaving us alone in the confined space. The silence stretched between us, heavy with possibility.

“Something on your mind?” Alexander’s voice was low, intimate.

“Nothing,” I mumbled, though my mind was racing with thoughts of him and Abigail.

“You look cold,” he remarked, a knowing smile on his lips. “Come closer.”

“I’m fine,” I insisted, but a traitorous shiver ran through me.

“Madison.” God, the way he said my name. “I said come closer.”

I hesitated, then scooted over until our thighs pressed together. His arm wrapped around my shoulders, pulling me against his warm chest.

“There,” he breathed against my ear. “Bette