Chapter 82

Emily’s POV

The office was quiet again, except for the sound of my own breathing. My skin was still flushed, tingling everywhere Alex had touched me.

I could feel the weight of what we’d just done heavy in the air, but heavier on my chest.

I lay there against the sofa cushions, the scent of him still clinging to my skin, his shirt crumpled on the floor beside us.

My dress lay discarded like some reckless secret I couldn’t take back.

Alex leaned back on his elbows, his chest rising and falling, his gaze fixed on me like he was trying to memorize the aftermath as much as he had memorized the act.

For a long time, neither of us spoke and then…

“Emily…” His voice was hoarse, low, like gravel. “You okay?”

I swallowed, pushing myself up, tugging the fabric of my bra back into place as if covering myself now would somehow erase what had already happened. “Yeah. I’m fine.”

But I wasn’t fine, not even close.

His hand brushed