Chapter 3 Uncharted Territory

"What was that for!? And who said you had any right to kiss me?" I asked, trying to sound firm, though my voice came out softer, with my shyness betraying my outrage.

"That was my way of saying thank you, for agreeing to have a drink and walk with me," he said with a confident smirk that only made things worse.

"Well, there are other ways to thank me. "You did not really have to kiss me," I shot back, trying to sound annoyed, but my tone didn't match the fire I wanted it to carry.

"Did you not like the kiss?" he asked, clearly enjoying the moment. "I could take it back if you want."

"Take it back, how?" I asked, genuinely curious, against my better judgment.

He leaned in again, closing the distance between us.

I instinctively stepped back, my heart hammering in my chest. "Hello, Hey Mr! "I didn't say you could do it again!" I protested, but the warmth spreading across my face gave me away.

His smirk deepened. "Then why did you not move away sooner?"

I opened my mouth to argue, but no words came out. I wanted to say something, anything, but the truth was... I did not really hate it.

"I just wasn't expecting it," I muttered, trying to pull myself together as he reached out to grab both our cups, and he placed them gently on the pavement next to us.

He chuckled softly. "Fair enough. But if you really didn't like it, you wouldn't still be standing so close to me."

God, I hated that he was right. His presence was magnetic, pulling me in even as my mind screamed for space. And that cologne. It was heavenly and dangerous all at once.

"I-" The words got stuck in my throat again as he leaned in, slower this time, almost giving me the chance to stop him. But I didn't.

His hands gently slid around my waist, firm but unhurried, drawing me in, closer to him. This time, he didn't go straight for my lips. He dipped his head, pressing a slow, lingering kiss against the curve of my neck. A shiver ran through me. I couldn't even move.

Then, his lips brushed mine, softer this time, tentative, like he was testing the waters.

My breath caught. I should have stopped this. I should have at least pushed him away. But instead, I closed my eyes and let myself melt into the kiss.

His hands moved lower with his fingers tracing the curve of my hips before gripping my butt. His touch was so bold, lifting the hem of my gown just slightly. Heat flared inside me. The kiss deepened, lasting longer than I intended, longer than it should have. Over two minutes of wandering hands and desperate lips, making me forget where we were, who we were supposed to be.

Then reality slapped me like a cold wave. I pulled back, my breath ragged, my hand planted firmly on his chest. "We should stop this," I said, my voice steadier than I felt. "I am not that easy."

He stared at me, his smirk fading into something I couldn't quite read. "I never said you were," he replied quietly, his hands still lingering near my waist like he wasn't ready to let go.

I exhaled and took a step back, grabbing my wine as it could anchor me. "I won't take offense, but... whatever this was, it ends right here."

Before he could respond, I turned and walked away, leaving him standing alone in the garden.

The cool night air did nothing to ease the burn on my skin as I re-entered the house. My heart was racing, my thoughts in a full-blown tornado. I sat down, composed myself, waiting so we could wrap up the meeting I had come for.

A minute later, he came in and took his seat across from me.

"I guess we are done for today," I said with my eyes glued to my jotter, refusing to meet his gaze.

"Yes, we are Rose," he replied with his tone oddly calm. "I will call you later tonight to go over everything. I know you might not want to process what just happened right now, so maybe... later, when you are in your space, it would be easier."

His voice was low, sincere, and even tender.

"You jerk," I muttered, not quite under my breath. I glanced up at him for a brief second, then grabbed my bag.

"Thanks for the drink," I said, cool and composed. "I'll get started on the painting soon, so calling might only distract me."

I didn't wait for a reply. I turned, walked out, and called an Uber because I needed space.

Back home, the moment I stepped inside, Alice was already giving me that look from the couch. "What happened, girl? "You look like you have just seen a ghost or kissed one," she said, eyeing me with playful suspicion.

I hesitated. I knew how she would react. "Nothing," I muttered, dropping my bag by the door.

Alice raised an eyebrow. "You better spill before I lose my patience."

I sighed, rubbing my lips. "Fine, fine. Alexander kissed me."

Her eyes widened. For a moment, she was unreadable. Then her lips curled into a smirk. "Oh? And let me guess... you hated it?"

I collapsed onto the couch and hugged a pillow. "I don't know. It was... unexpected."

She tilted her head. "Unexpected? Or exactly what you wanted?"

"Alice, stop."

She rolled her eyes. "Come on, Rose. The guy is a billionaire. Handsome. Clearly into you. And you Miss 'I don't need distractions' are blushing like a teenager."

I groaned, burying my face in the pillow. "It is not that simple Alice."

"It is that simple," she shot back. But her tone... shifted. Just slightly.

I looked up, frowning. "You are acting weird."

Alice shrugged. "I just think you should be careful. Guys like Alexander don't do things without a reason."

I sighed, my heart sinking a little. "I know."

But the truth was, I wasn't sure I believed that. Because the way he kissed me... the way he looked at me...

It felt real.

And that terrified me.