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."

sharply to face him, my chest tightening with anger. "What did you just

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

flower," he said, his voice 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

I felt

That piece of shit....

The

as though he'd

movements deliberate.

out like a cruel revelation-the same day, the same store. Ryatt walked in with Kelly, his hand guiding her like she was the center of his universe. They browsed, laughed, and finally

watch any longer, my breathing ragged. Shame coiled around

every warning, I had ignored them all for the sake of love that

back into his pocket, his smirk faint but cutting. "So, do

with the raw ache

its flames, a question rose, unbidden and fierce. "How can

hand and brushed his thumb against my trembling bottom lip. The touch sent an electric jolt through me, sharp and

he murmured, his voice low and rough. He pulled me closer, his breath fanning against my

"Can you understand

between us. "I can read you pretty damn well, Sienna Blake," he growled, his voice dripping with certainty. "Like

My voice dropped, deep

you to

I

The raw hunger in his gaze made my pulse quicken, a shiver skittering down my spine. "But if you

alcohol, the magnetic pull of Alexander Grayson, or something buried

beautiful.

that's how he had so many women at his feet. And now, I was willingly adding

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 the

purposeful strides, he carried me out of the chaos and into a room. Probably his

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

dre for, flower," he whispered, his voice a low growl that sent shivers down my spine. His lips trailed a deliberate path along my jaw to