One Night Stand With Alexander Blackwood-Chapter 12 — Twelve

Alexander’s POV

"You’re safe here, Serena. For tonight... and as long as you need. Personally, I don’t mind you staying forever."

I didn’t glance at her, but I could picture the way her eyes would widen, and the way she’d stiffen out of surprise. I have only known her for a day, but I knew most of her habits. She always reacted in extremes.

"I had my assistant go to your apartment," I added, keeping my voice smooth. "He’ll deal with the man."

"You didn’t have to," she whispered.

Her voice was too soft. It seemed she was still shaken by what happened earlier. Any other female would react the same way if they were in her position.

I tightened my jaw, trying to convince her. "If he isn’t handled now, there’s no telling who he’ll hurt next."

She didn’t argue this time. Good, because I was right. That man could not just hurt her but other women.

I focused on the pan in front of me, flipping the stir-fry before it burned. The kitchen filled with steam and garlic, a strange contrast to the tension between us.

Serena sat at the marble island, quiet, hands curled around the edge of the seat. I knew she was watching me. Her eyes were on me.

She looked small. And for the first time in my life, I hated the fact that my house felt too big.

When I dished the food and set it in front of her, she blinked like she hadn’t expected me to actually cook.

"It smells nice. I didn’t know you could actually cook." Her voice carried surprise, and I chuckled.

"There are a lot more things you don’t know about me, Princess."

"Thank you," she murmured, meeting my gaze.

"Eat up," I urged and she picked up the fork.

The meal passed in silence. There were tense, stolen glances, her trying not to meet my eyes, me pretending I wasn’t watching every shift in her expression.

She ate slowly, cautiously, like she wasn’t sure she was allowed to enjoy anything after what happened tonight.

While she ate, I had my eyes fixated on her and it was something I could do all my life. I didn’t realize when I began to have ’forever’ thoughts but Serena was the only one to bring out such a side in me.

When she finished, I rose to my feet instantly.

"I’ll show you to the guest room. You can sleep there."

She nodded sincerely, but a hint of wariness in her eyes. I didn’t know if she trusted me. I wouldn’t blame her though. Not after the way we met... after the night we shared without knowing who the other was. I didn’t blame her.

I walked her upstairs. She followed quietly, hugging her arms as if the silence in the hallway made her nervous.

"This is your room," I said, pushing the door open.

Her eyes widened at the sight. "This is... too much," she protested instantly.

"It’s not," I replied. "You need rest and this is perfect."

For a moment, she hesitated at the doorway, like she wanted to say something. But then she whispered another small, fragile "Thank you," and disappeared inside.

I stood there for a long second after she closed the door, exhaling slowly.

She was with me. Would I be able to control myself with her close to me?

-------------------------

The Next Morning

Sunlight filtered its way into my room and I groaned softly.

Forcing my eyes open, I sat up. Last night was torturous for me. I kept dreaming... dreaming about Serena and her petite body.

"Darn it!" I cursed under my breath. Serena had a way of getting under my skin, not that I minded though.

My phone buzzed, cutting through my thoughts. I stretched and picked it from the vanity table.

It was a message from Carl, my assistant and it read:

[Boss, I’ve got the man and he is in our private prison. What are your orders?]

My eyes flashed dangerously as I recalled how he treated Serena the previous night.

I quickly typed a reply. [Ensure he doesn’t try to r*pe another lady again.]

My message was vague, yet straightforward. Carl quickly typed a reply.

[Understood, Boss.]

I placed my phone on the table and rubbed my forehead. No one could hurt Serena and get away with it.

I left the bed only to hear frantic knocks on my door.

"Serena? Was she okay?" I asked myself and hurried to the door. I immediately opened it and she rushed in while breathing heavily.

"Boss... Mr. Blackwo— Ah!!"

She didn’t complete her statement before she exclaimed, hurriedly closing her eyes while turning her back against me.

I frowned. Why was she acting that way?

"Serena, what’s wrong?" I asked carefully.

"You... You have nothing on." She whispered. If one looked carefully, her ears had already turned beet red.

That was when it hit me. I slowly looked down, and my eyes widened. I was naked... completely naked.

I stared at Serena’s rigid back, then down at myself again. Hell. Of all the mornings, of all the moments, this was the worst possible timing.

I grabbed the nearest towel from the chair and wrapped it around my waist. "Alright, you can turn around now," I told her.

Slowly, she peeked over her shoulder. Her eyes widened for a split second before she snapped her gaze up to the ceiling as if it was the most fascinating thing in the world.

"I’m decent," I clarified.

She finally turned around, still avoiding my body like it was dangerous to look at. Honestly, I wasn’t sure she was wrong.

"What happened?" I asked her, changing the topic.

She fidgeted with her fingers, still breathing fast. "I... I have a problem."

"Okay." I folded my arms, feeling curious. "What kind of problem?"

She let out a small groan of frustration.

"Clothes, Alexander. I don’t have any clothes! I can’t go to work like this. I can’t wear the dress from yesterday, it’s dirty and soaked and—"

She waved her arms, flustered. "I just... I can’t show up to the office like that. I’d be laughed at. "

Her panic was adorable. Irrational, unnecessary, but adorable.

I took a step closer, and she instantly took one back. "Serena," I said calmly, "we’ll fix it."

"How?" she asked, looking up at me with those big eyes that threw me off balance. "I can’t exactly go shopping in a nightshirt."

"Then you’ll wear something of mine."

She blinked rapidly, surprised by my words. "Something... of yours?"

"Yes."

"Alexander, your shirts could swallow me whole."

My mouth twitched at her words. "Then you’ll look cute."

Her cheeks flamed red so quickly I almost felt the heat from where I stood.

"I’m serious!" she protested.

"So am I." I shot back.

She paused, swallowing hard. Then her eyes dropped to my towel and shot right back up again with a tiny squeak.

"Why are you still half-naked?" she blurted out.