ALEXANDER'S POV
She tasted like lavender and honey.
The thought came to me in the dark, sharp and clear. Her lips had been soft, innocent. Not like anyone I had kissed before.
Why did I kiss her?
I lay on my back, staring at the ceiling. Maya was asleep beside me, turned away. Her breathing was soft and even. She made little snores, so quiet I almost couldn't hear them. She looked peaceful. For a moment, she didn't look like a contract. She just looked like a woman.
What is happening to me? I asked myself. Why do I feel so… drawn to her? It is just the deal. Just business.
But the memory of her kiss was not business. It was a mistake. A dangerous one.
My phone lit up on the table next to the bed. The light was blue in the dark room. I saw the name: Marcus.
Carefully, I got out of bed. I did not want to wake her. I picked up the phone and walked out of the room. I closed the door softly.
I walked to my father's study at the end of the hall. I turned on a small lamp and answered the phone.
"Marcus. It is late."
"I have the full report on her, sir," Marcus said. His voice was always calm, always professional. "Maya Mayfair. Age twenty-six. Her only family is her mother, Clara, a schoolteacher, and her younger sister, Mia. Father left when she was a child. No contact since."
I already knew this. But I listened.
"She was engaged to Daniel Reed for five years. He left her at the altar for another woman, Chloe Banks, who is pregnant. Public humiliation. Very sad."
"Yes," I said, my voice tight. I remembered her broken eyes in the bar.
"There is one more thing," Marcus said. He paused. "The house. The one in Richmond that she and Daniel Reed built together. The one he sold last week."
"What about it?"
"You bought it, sir."
The air left my lungs. "What?"
"Six months ago. You bought it as an investment through the company. You never saw it. The paperwork was done by the legal team. The address… it is the same. It is their house."
I stood very still. The world felt strange. I bought her dream house. I bought the place she loved and lost. And I did not even know it.
"Do not tell her," I said finally. My voice was rough.
"Of course not, sir."
I heard footsteps outside the study. The door opened.
It was my father.
"I will call you back," I said to Marcus, and I hung up.
My father walked into the room. He was wearing a dark robe. He looked old and powerful in the lamplight.
"You are on the phone late," he said. He sat in his big leather chair. It spun softly.
"Business," I said.
He looked at me. His eyes were like mine—cold and seeing everything. "The girl. Maya. She is beautiful. She looks… fragile. Not like Isabella. Isabella was more your type. Strong, sharp, ambitious." He shook his head. "But she hurt you bad."
The name Isabella was a knife in my chest. My old fiancée. The woman who lied for my money. The one who taught me to build walls.
"I love Maya," I heard myself say. The words came out of my mouth, but they felt empty. A performance. Even for my father. "That is what matters now."
Inside my head, a voice screamed. Alex, snap out of it! You barely know this woman!
My father leaned forward. "She does not seem weak to me. She speaks with a quiet boldness. I like that."
I was surprised. My father rarely liked anyone.
"Thank you, Father."
"So," he said, his eyes narrowing. "When is the wedding?"
The question hung in the air. I had not planned this. But the words came out anyway.
"This weekend."
My father's eyebrows shot up. "This weekend? Why the rush?"
I looked him straight in the eye. I gave him the reason he would understand. The reason that was also true. "Because I want a child, Father. I am not getting younger. I do not want to wait. I want to start my family."
He stared at me for a long time. Then, slowly, he nodded. A small smile touched his lips. It was not a warm smile. It was a smile of victory. The Thornes would have an heir.
"Good," he said. "Your mother will arrange everything. A small ceremony here. Just family."
"Yes," I said.
He stood up and put a hand on my shoulder. "Do not be a fool this time, Alexander. Keep your heart safe. But give me a grandson."
Then he left the room.
I stood alone in the quiet study. My mind was racing. What have I done? A wedding in days? It was too fast. But it was perfect for the contract. A quick marriage, a child soon after. Clean and fast.
I walked back to the bedroom. Maya was still sleeping. The moonlight fell on her face. She looked so innocent. So trusting.
I sat on the edge of the bed. My heart was beating hard.
She stirred. Her eyes opened slowly. She saw me and blinked, confused.
"Alexander?" Her voice was sleepy, soft.
"We need to talk," I said. My voice sounded strange.
She sat up, pulling the covers to her chest. Her eyes were wide, worried.
"My parents are arranging a wedding," I said. I looked straight into her eyes. "For this weekend."
She stared at me. "This… weekend?"
"Yes. Here at the house. Just family."
"But… why so fast?" she asked. Her hands were trembling.
I gave her the same reason I gave my father. The reason that was part of our deal. "Because I want a child, Maya. I do not want to wait. The faster we are married, the faster we can… begin."
Her face turned pale. She understood what "begin" meant.
"It is part of the contract," I said, my voice returning to its cold business tone. "You will get your money. Your mother's house. Your sister's school. This is the next step."
She looked down at her hands. She was silent for a long time. I could see her fighting with herself. With her fear.
Finally, she looked up. There was a new strength in her eyes. A quiet fire.
"Okay," she said. Her voice was clear, strong. "This weekend."
I nodded. Inside, I felt a strange mix of relief and guilt.
"Go back to sleep," I said. I stood up. "Tomorrow we return to the city. We have things to do."
I turned to walk away, to sleep in a chair, to put space between us.
"Alexander," she said softly.
I stopped.
"Thank you," she whispered. "For helping my family."
Her gratitude felt like a punch. I did not deserve it. This was not help. This was a deal.
I did not turn around. "Do not thank me," I said, my voice hard. "This is not kindness. This is business."
I left the room and closed the door behind me.
I stood in the dark hallway, my head against the wall. Her taste was still on my lips. Lavender and honey.
And I had just told her we are getting married in four days.