It should be easy, It was just business. I kept telling myself that with every sip of champagne and every fake polite smile. But when Alexander started talking to Michael, it stirred up something inside me I didn't want to think about. Michael, the hot guy with the sharp jaw and eyes that stared at Alexander way too long.

Michael got close to Alexander, talking quietly. Alexander smiled, that smile that got everyone, and I felt a pain in my chest.

I shouldn't care. It's just about the money. I'll leave when I have enough, but when Alexander came back to me, I couldn't help but ask,

“So, is he an ex?” I tried to sound like I didn't care.

He gave me a look, “Why do you want to know?”

“Just bored”, I said, faking a yawn and stepping away.

But then Alexander grabbed my arms, pulling me back, his lips near my ear.

“Are you pouting”? he whispered, his words sharp.

I froze, “I don't pout”.

“You look like you want to kill him” he paused and smiled. “Jealous, huh?”

I laughed, “Of him? Please. I don't care”.

But Alexander didn't look like he believed me. He gripped my arm tighter and dragged me through a side door so fast no one noticed. I stumbled after him, my heart racing as we went into the coatroom, which smelled like leather and heavy perfume. Before I could say anything, my back hit the wall, he kissed me hard, rough and demanding. My eyes widened, and I moaned, but he just growled and grabbed my throat, his thumb on my pulse.

“You don't get to feel”, Alexander whispered against my lips. “You're not here to want or to ask questions, you're mine when I want you, where I want you, and that's it”.

I wanted to say something mean, to take back control, but my body was betraying me. I was hot, ashamed, wanting him. Alexander's hand slid down, opening his belt and pulling his pants down, “Do you understand?”

I shook, “I—“

“Wrong answer”, Alexander turned me around, pressing my face against the wall, the wood digging into my cheek. A rough hand went between my thighs, teasing me. I was so hard that when he grabbed me, I almost came right then. I was trying to catch my breath.

“Say it”, Alexander growled, his mouth hot on my neck. “Admit it, you hated him looking at me.

I bit my lip, refusing to give in, “I don't care who you sleep with. I'm here for the money, remember? I'm not—“

I gasped as Alexander's thigh pressed hard between my legs, grinding roughly.

“Not what?” Alexander asked. “Not mine?”

I tried to push him away, but Alexander grabbed my wrists and pinned them above my head. He pulled down my pants and stroked me expertly until I moaned lost in the pleasure only he can give.

“Say it”.

My pride fought with my need, but Alexander didn't let up. He scraped his teeth against the back of my neck, growling against my skin. I cracked.

“Yes”, I said, barely recognizing my own voice. “Yours”.

He grabbed my hair, yanking my head back. His voice was a growl in my ear

“Good boys don't get jealous. They obey. Got it?”

I wanted to say no, to tell him to screw himself but when Alexander grabbed himself and thrust inside me without warning, the shock of pain and pleasure made me cry out.

“Say it again”, Alexander said, thrusting harder. “Say you're mine”.

“Fuck……..Alex, please”, My voice broke. I clawed at the wall, my body betraying me with every moan.

Alexander bit my shoulder, harder, driving into me deeper

“You're jealous, you're mine. Admit it”.

I gave in as Alexander went in harder, the feel of him was amazing, “Yes……I'm yours. I was jealous” I groaned,

The world moved, my cry was cut off by Alexander's hand over my mouth, my body taken in hard thrusts. The risk of getting caught, the voices from the ballroom, only made it hotter. My mind screamed no, but my body wanted more. Alexander's grip was tight, each thrust reminding me who was in control.

“You want to know about him?” Alexander growled in my ear. “You don't get to”.

The words stung. Shame and lust mixed. My body betrayed me, shaking under Alexander's control. I climaxed violently, spilling my cum all over the wall…. biting my lip to keep from crying out. Alexander finished with a thrust, a groan that was half command, half ownership. For a moment, there was only heat, sweat, and the reminder of who belonged to who.

When it was over, Alexander fixed his clothes, not even out of breath. I leaned against the wall, shaking, my lips swollen, my body aching, trying to figure out what had just happened.

Alexander grabbed my jaw, making me look at him. His smile was sharper now. “Jealousy doesn't look good on you”. He smiled, smoothing his suit. He leaned in, his lips near my ear again, “Control yourself, you're not allowed to have feelings. Not for me”.

Then he was gone, leaving me shaking in the dark coatroom.

By the time I got back to the ballroom, Alexander was with Michael again. They were talking closely, sharing a laugh, in a world I wasn't allowed in.

Michael touched Alexander's arm, smiling in a way that made my stomach turn. Alexander didn't pull away.

“You never answered my calls. Tell me, was it pride, or did you find someone to replace me?” Michael said, looking at me. “A little young, don't you think? Cute, though”.

I froze, but Alexander just moved his head to the side like he was amused.

“Replacement means you were impossible to replace”.

Michael laughed, “And wasn't I? We were hot, Alex. Tell me you don't miss it. Why don't we… do it again? I've got a bottle of '95 Bordeaux upstairs in my suite. Just you and me. Like old times”. There was a challenge in his eyes, the kind that brought up a lot of history.

“Careful. You're playing with fire, and I've already picked my distraction for tonight”, Alexander said

“Then think of this as an open invitation. When you get tired of your distractions, my door will always be open”.

He touched Alexander's arm, looking him in the eye, before walking into the crowd, leaving behind heat and something I didn't want to think about burning in my chest. Alexander looked after him and then signaled his driver, “Take Ethan back to the penthouse”.

Dismissed.

I wanted to scream. I told myself it didn't matter, that I didn't care, that I'd take the money and leave when I had enough but as I got into the car, the taste of Alexander still on my lips, jealousy burned like fire.

And for the first time, I wasn't sure if I could ever leave.