Another Chance for the Luna Queen by Aurora Starling

Chapter 0221

Chapter 0221

Ella POV

The rest of the tasting passed in quiet tension, though I didn’t think Alexander was mad at me. We eventually agreed on a red and a white wine. Alexander filled out the form and handed it to the employee as we made our way

out.

When we reached the car, he opened the door for me, placing a gentle hand on my back as I stepped inside. The light contact was reassuring, but I still kept my eyes down as he got in and shut the door.

For several minutes, silence filled the car, stretching between us like a fragile thread.

“Are you all right?” Alexander asked finally, breaking the stillness.

“Fine,” I said automatically, though my smile felt tense and unnatural.

“Oh, that’s convincing,” Alexander said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

I couldn’t help but laugh, despite myself. “I just feel like I made a fool of myself, that’s all. I didn’t mean to get drunk.”

“You’re not really supposed to swallow the wine at a tasting,” Alexander replied, his tone casual.

My eyes widened, and I turned to stare at him in disbelief. “Why didn’t you tell me that?”

“I wanted to see what would happen,” he said with a shrug, a mischievous smile spreading across his face. “I didn’t expect you to be so flirty when you’re drunk.”

“I-” I began to argue, but the words faltered. There was no denying what had happened, and Alexander’s smug expression wasn’t helping.

“It’s interesting to note, that’s all,” he said, his smile growing as he glanced at me.

I crossed my arms, trying to hide my embarrassment. “And here I was, planning a great surprise for you, so excited to tell you about it, and you’ve spent the whole day teasing me.”

his expression shifting to confusion.

look out the window. “And now

softly. “You won’t cancel it,” he said confidently. “You’re too curious to see my reaction.”

fought back a smile, refusing to let him win so

Alexander pointed out. “I wasn’t

to thank you for all the hard work

“I gave you my word,

it’s not,” I argued, leaning forward slightly. “You’ve gone far beyond what our contract dictates, and I appreciate it a great deal. Neither of us could have predicted how many threats would crop up over the course of this… arrangement of ours. You would’ve been well within your rights to back

to maintain eye contact. Still, I

1/3

+25 BONUS

Chapter 0221

of us was willing to acknowledge.

finally, redirecting the

I began, relaxing slightly “First, you need to go to the tailor shop and pick up the gift I’ve

my tailor behind my back?” he asked, a smile tugging

even customized

to me about any of this?” Alexander shook his head in mock disbelief. “And here I thought he was loyal. So, I

ready in that outfit by 7:00 p.m. on the Friday after

his curiosity genuine. “Because I

honeymoon,” I said, shaking my head. “Just a one–night thing.”

repeated thoughtfully. “I’m not aware of

information. “You won’t figure it out,” I teased lightly.

eyes narrowed playfully. “Is that a challenge?”

turning to gaze out the window, my smile widening. “You’ll just have to wait and

with

replied confidently. “But if I’m

corners

convinced you’ll love this surprise that if I’m wrong, you can name

a dangerous promise to make,” Alexander

scared,” I replied.