Wife's Bitter Revenge Against Neglectful CEO Husband-Chapter 90: Meet the Alec

Every eye in the place turned toward the door when Alec entered. There was no way he didn’t run into King outside, but you couldn’t tell it from Alec’s demeanor.

Alec said, "Hi, mind if I crash your class?"

Bea didn’t give me a chance to respond. "Alec! Everyone is welcome. Besides, it’s Angie’s place. We wouldn’t dare exclude you."

Alec made his way to my side. He put a hand on the small of my back as an unspoken hello.

"Let me introduce everyone." I started with the smallest of the newbies and worked my way through the room.

"Wow," Alec said. "Min and Jake, you guys are my idols. I’ve watched every televised bout you’ve ever had, and I’ve seen you in person dozens of times, but never up close like this. I’m honored."

CK said, "You should have been here earlier. Min and Jake showed us an ultimate smackdown. It was next-level, panty-dropper stuff. I’m hella straight, and I was ready to have Min’s baby."

Ben’s frown was instant.

Alec said, "I would have loved to have seen that. Do you think I could join next time? I’m not at your level, but I can hold my own."

Jake said, "Yeah, sure. We can always use sparring partners. Angie, you have protective gear?"

Angie snorted. "Don’t underestimate my brother. He’s not needed protective gear since he was fifteen."

Min said, "Has he fought professionals before?"

Alec said, "A couple, but I’ll do whatever you’re most comfortable with. Anything to learn from a master like you."

Stiff said, "Probably a wannabe trying to look good in front of his girlfriend. You should let me take him."

Angie and I both said, "No way."

Stiff said, "Why? Do you think I’ll injure that pretty face?"

I snorted. "More like one kick from Alec, and you’ll be eating through a straw."

"That’s a lot of tough talk," Stiff said.

Alec smiled. "I didn’t say anything to you, but if you want to give it a go, I won’t stop you."

I stepped between the two men, facing Stiff. "Alec might not have a problem, but I do. Stiff, you promised."

"But, Teela, his face pisses me off."

"Your attitude pisses me off, but I still love and respect you. Don’t give me a reason to change that."

"Well, shit, Tee. When you put it that way." Stiff ran a hand through his hair and shifted from foot to foot. "I’m sorry, man, I wasn’t thinking. You probably would kick my ass. I’ve never been very athletic. Let’s pretend you’ve already defeated me and shake hands."

Stiff held out his hand the men shook.

"Easiest bout I’ve ever won," Alec said with a lopsided grin.

"Yup, that’s me—easy," Stiff grumbled.

Angie clapped her hands. "Back in line. We have just enough time for a quick cool down before the end of class."

Alec squeezed into the front row with the clueless and went through the paces with me. He waited after class for me to change.

He was chatting with Min when I rejoined him.

"What are you guys talking about?"

"Min was sharing his opinion on the future of MMA."

"Um, sounds boring."

Alec said, "Maybe to you. Where to now?"

"Last time, we went to your mom’s for a late dinner."

"Perfect, my treat, everyone."

Dinner was much like the last time. The magical beer crate appeared. Karaoke kept the natives happy, and Mother Chen cooked amazing food.

What differed was that I had Alec, well, sort of. He was playing it cool in front of his mother, but the moment she left the room, he was flirting with his eyes, the tips of his fingers, and the curve of his lips.

"The photo you sent me."

"Yes?" Alec asked.

"I love it. I can’t get it out of my mind."

"Really? Then you should return the favor one day."

"Why?"

"I like looking at you. A picture would allow me to enjoy your image when you’re not around, like late at night when I’m lonely and thinking how good it would feel to have you there with me. Touching me intimately in private."

"It sounds like you’ve put some thought into this," I said.

"I have. A lot of time."

I wished we were alone right then. I would show Alec how much his photo affected me, and the reason had far less to do with what I could imagine under the bathwater’s surface and more to do with the way his eyes captured mine as if he would eat me right up should I dare to join him.

Alec was a predator. There was no denying that. While his smile was charismatic and pulled me in, there was always just an edge of danger there. The way his body moved and the strength he exuded told me he could back up that promise of danger in a very real way.

I could totally appreciate why Stiff would feel threatened by Alec even when Alec was doing nothing to instigate the feeling.

Alec asked, "Do you think about me when we’re apart?"

"Yeah, often." 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

"Have you thought about joining me in the bathtub?"

"What a coincidence. I was just thinking about that."

And then Alec’s mom was back in the room, and we went back to friendly strangers mode. It felt like a game, a very enjoyable game that heightened the desire to touch Alec with each passing moment.

I wondered if there was a covert way for us to escape, at least for a little while. Or perhaps I should own the way I was feeling and take Alec by the hand and lead him out in front of everyone. It wasn’t like most of them weren’t in the know already about how I felt about Alec.

Mother Chen called Alec to help in the kitchen. Ben promptly took over his chair.

"So, I take it you’re into Alec?"

"Who told you?"

"I have ears and eyes. No one needs to tell me anything. Anyone paying attention can see it."

"Do you think Alec’s mom knows?"

"Oh, I’m sure of it. Last time, she was behind the mic as much as Bea. This time, she’s giving you guys privacy to make eyes at one another."

"And King knows." It wasn’t a question.

"Yeah, King knows."

"He handled finding out well."

Ben said, "Oh, I wouldn’t say that. Alec Crest and King were rivals in school. I suspect King held his tongue but is fuming inside."

"Really? They know each other and no one said anything to be about it to me."

That was a little disturbing. I wasn’t surprised King didn’t say anything. King was a closed book most of the time. But I was disappointed Alec didn’t say anything. Why? Did he think the knowledge would put me in the awkward position of choosing between my loyalty to King and him? Or had Alec always known I was King’s wife, well ex-wife, and he approached me with purpose.

"Ben, should I be concerned?"

Ben shrugged. "Who knows? That was years ago. They are both adults now, and I’ve got to admit Alec looks like he is into you. I don’t think his playing you."

Alec rejoined us and was busy chatting with Jake. I wasn’t going to let this news fester. I needed to talk to him, in private.

"Well, thanks for letting me know, Ben. You’re a good friend."

Ben took a swig of his beer, "If I was a better friend, I’d stock the Tiger’s Claw with a better grade of beer."

I walked over to Alec and waited for an opening in the conversation. "Alec, I need to talk to you—privately."

He whispered in my ear, "Is this about our previous conversation?"

I shook my head. The concern on my face must have clued him in that I was serious.

"Yeah, okay. I have a room upstairs. We can talk there."

"But, your mom..."

"Don’t worry about Mom. She’s the most astute person I know. She knows we’re together. If she had a problem with it, we’d already know about it. She’ll be fine."

I followed him to his room. It was small with a twin-sized bed. The bookshelf was covered with more trophies than books, and the décor was better suited to a boy than man, but it was clean and private.

"When were you planning to tell me you know King?"

"Ah, that. I didn’t think it was important until tonight, and tonight didn’t seem like the right time. King and I attended private school together."

"Did you know I was King’s ex-wife before I told you?"

"No. I had no clue, and when you did tell me, it didn’t make a difference. What animosity that existed between King and I, I put behind me a long time ago. All I knew when I met you was that I was attracted to you and wanted to see you again.

"I am still attracted to you and want to see you again."

I was satisfied with his answer, at least for now. But I was no fool. This was enough of a red flag to do exactly what everyone had been suggesting. I needed to take it slow with Alec, and I needed to do a full background search on the man.

"I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to suggest anything. When I found out, I wanted to talk to you about it instead of obsessing on it until I blew things out of proportion."

Alec kissed me gently. "I’m glad you talked to me about it first."