Dear Ex Wife Please take me back by The Every Woman

Chapter 38 ~ Vanilla scent

ATHENA

"I really don't want to be here." I protest.

Alex doesn't even glance at me as he adjusts his cufflinks, his green eyes scanning the racetrack. "It's just for two hours. We'll go home soon. I couldn't reschedule this."

I cross my arms, shifting uncomfortably in the wooden seat. The air is thick with the scent of freshly cut grass, leather, and expensive cologne. The cheers of the crowd rise and fall as another race begins, hooves pounding against the dirt track like a drumbeat.

I couldn't care less.

The only thing I want is to go home.

Alex, however, sits perfectly composed beside me, looking every bit the powerful billionaire he is. I must say I did wonder how an orphan girl like me landed auch a man, but I've been too scared to ask.

We have a dinner coming up where I'm supposed to meet his grandmother, and I'm a nerve wreck.

It's been a week since that incident, and even though I've been wanting to get some sun, this wasn't how I envisioned it.

"You could've left me at home," I mutter, my fingers tightening around the glass of water in my lap.

Alex finally looks at me, his expression unreadable. "No."

One word. No explanation.

Another thing I've come to learn about Alex is that he's extremely hot but also very annoying.

I exhale sharply, turning my gaze to the track. Another race is starting, the announcer's voice booming through the speakers.

A group of thoroughbreds burst out of the gates, their jockeys leaning forward, urging them faster.

The crowd roars.

I don't react.

Because the only thing I can focus on is Alex.

Or rather, how he's been acting these past few days.

He hasn't left the house.

He's been working from home, his laptop always within reach, but his eyes constantly flicking toward me like he's expecting me to collapse at any moment.

Every ten minutes, without fail, he finds a reason to check on me.

Do you need anything?

Are you hungry?

Are you tired?

Are you cold?

I thought it was a coincidence. But then I realized that

he looks away for

are, sitting in the VIP section of a horse race, pretending

adjusts his watch, his fingers brushing against my wrist as

It's subtle. Barely noticeable.

But I know better.

I hold my breath, every

corner of my eye. Trying to

have to babysit me, you know." I

jaw tightens slightly, but his voice remains calm.

turning back to the race. "Could've fooled

thigh. A casual touch. Light. But firm enough to keep

I wore a suit, too. Otherwise, his hand on my bare skin would throw

wonder if he feels even a slight shiver when we are so

I swallow hard.

crisp navy

greets with a firm handshake, his gaze briefly

with that smile that looks painted on.

splits

mind if borrowed her, would you? I seem to have some medical issues lately." He flashes him another one of

He is testing him.

his

by his brutal rejection, but something about the way this man looks at me unsettles me, and

than

eyes are dancing with flames and daring him

is too distant, we are close friends Alex. You can call me

but there's no humor in it. His eyes stay on Alex, hard with challenge,

late forties with too much gel in

don't know," Arnold muses, swirling the whiskey in his glass. "You never

fingers flex slightly against my thigh. It's the only sign that Arnold

else,” Alex says smoothly. "I don't share what's mine. Especially with

his eyes. "Is that so? That's quite possessive for a mere

running in my veins." He

presses his lips into a thin line. Like that

a reminder,

it

about. He never gives out empty

silence stretches between them. It's suffocating,

quite understand.

Alex doesn't blink.

Arnold doesn't blink.