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?

it was a coincidence. But then I realized that he's been watching

if he looks away for too

now, here we are, sitting in the VIP section of a

his watch, his fingers brushing against my wrist

It's subtle. Barely noticeable.

But I know better.

out the window, and I hold my breath, every

my eye. Trying to

have to babysit me,

his voice remains calm. "I'm not

turning back to

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

Otherwise, his

I wonder if he feels even a slight shiver when we are so close to each

I swallow hard.

dressed in a crisp navy suit, his salt-and-pepper

of the hour!" he greets with a firm handshake,

with that smile that looks painted on. "My personal

splits

I seem to have some medical issues lately."

He is testing him.

his

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

sure you know better than that.

eyes are dancing with flames and daring him to ask

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

stay on Alex, hard with

with too much gel

in his glass.

It's the only sign that Arnold has managed to push a button. But his face

says smoothly. "I

at the edges, but the amusement doesn't reach his eyes. "Is that so? That's quite possessive

running

his lips into a thin line. Like that sentence is a code

It's a reminder, and

arrogant, I couldn't imagine it being more

talking about. He never gives out empty

It's suffocating, thick with tension I

quite understand.

Alex doesn't blink.

Arnold doesn't blink.