My Dad's Bestfriend

Sienna

I couldn't tell if it was the alcohol coursing through my veins or Alexander Grayson

himself that sent a shiver tearing through my body.

Devil's Den.

And what was I now? The prey?

"What... what do you want?" I stammered, his body heat so close to mine that it was nearly suffocating. The pain in my chest throbbed, sharp and relentless, clouding my thoughts. I wasn't supposed to find comfort in Alex's presence, yet my traitorous body leaned into the warmth he radiated.

I could feel the tension in his muscles through his shirt, the heat of him pressed against my back. With every steady breath he took, his body stiffened further, his desire becoming palpable.

"I should be the one asking you that question," he murmured, his voice a low, gravelly rumble that sent goosebumps cascading over my skin. His breath teased the sensitive curve of my neck, and I clenched my fists to keep steady. "What do you want, Sienna?"

The question left me speechless. What did I want? At that moment, I wanted anything—anything to distract me from the pain clawing at my chest like a thousand tiny vipers. I wanted to feel numb. I wanted to forget I was broken.

"Do you think you can help?" The words escaped me before I could stop them, trembling in the air between us.

I felt his smirk against my skin before I saw it, his lips curving in amusement as he brushed my hair aside. The tip of his nose trailed down the back of my neck, slow and deliberate, drawing an involuntary shudder from me.

"If you allow me to," he whispered, his grip tightening as he pulled me even closer. My body betrayed me entirely, pressed against his, my heavy breathing giving away the storm inside me.

"It didn't take my permission to order your guards to throw my ex out," I bit out, anger lacing my words despite the tremor in my voice. "So why the hesitation now?"

"So you figured that out," he said with a husky chuckle, his tone both amused and impressed.

It wasn't hard to connect the dots after I'd learned Alexander Grayson owned this club.

"Such a clever little thing," he mused, his fingers tracing a slow, maddening path from my hand to my arm, lingering at my exposed collarbone. I sucked in a shaky breath as heat flared across my skin. "Yet you fell for someone like Ryatt. What a shame. A woman like you deserves better than a man who uses a forgotten key as an excuse to buy his side chick-your so-called best friend Kelly-the same dress as yours."

stalling. I turned sharply to face him, my

down at me, his eyes dark and unrelenting, one hand settling firmly on my hip. The proximity was dizzying, his

soft but unyielding. "The day you went shopping for your birthday, and that piece of shit you call a boyfriend claimed he forgot his keys? He used that time to buy Kelly a dress to match yours. Meanwhile, he couldn't be bothered to spend a single cent on

anger rose and I felt a

That piece of shit....

you have proof?" The

sound that dripped with inevitability, as though he'd been waiting for

arm remained firmly wrapped around my waist as he retrieved his phone, his movements deliberate. A few swipes, and then he turned the screen

her like she was the center of his universe. They browsed, laughed, and finally settled on a dress he picked with. The same attention I had once

I turned away, unable to watch any longer, my breathing ragged. Shame coiled around me like a vice. I'd been such a pathetic

so blind? So stupid? Every sign, every warning, I had ignored them all for the sake of love that

smirk faint

blending with the raw ache in my chest. But

a question rose, unbidden and fierce. "How can you help me,

wicked glint sparking within them. Slowly, he raised a hand and brushed his thumb against my trembling bottom lip. The touch sent an electric jolt through

of help you need right now," he murmured, his voice low and rough. He pulled me

"Can you understand what

you pretty damn well, Sienna Blake," he growled, his voice dripping with certainty. "Like the

what are you waiting for?" My voice dropped, deep

you to say

what am I saying yes

up so our eyes locked. The raw hunger in his gaze made my pulse quicken, a shiver skittering down my spine. "But if you want this... you

the magnetic pull of Alexander Grayson, or something buried deep within me that made the

I saw him for what he truly was-dangerously beautiful. The kind of beauty that made the

so many women at his feet. And now, I was willingly adding myself

slid beneath my legs, lifting me effortlessly. My legs wrapped around his hips as though it was the most natural thing in the world. He didn't spare a glance at

of the chaos and into a room. Probably his office. I didn't care. I didn't want

his desk, his body pressing into mine as he stood between my thighs. His hand came up to wrap around my throat, firm but not suffocating, his lips brushing

flower," he whispered, his voice a low growl that sent shivers down