Chapter 12

Alec’s POV. I couldn't help but study Alana as she sat there, her sun-kissed skin glowing beautifully in the warm embrace of the hot tub. Her plump, rosy lips still held the lingering flush from our passionate kiss earlier. As my eyes trailed up her body, I couldn't help but notice the subtle furrow in her brows, her posture emanating an air of intimidation, with her arms crossed over her chest. However, her attempt at appearing stern only seemed to accentuate the curves of her body, particularly her full breasts, which had my attention lingering longer than it should have. Our intense make-out session inside had nearly driven me to confess everything, to bear my heart and soul to her, to make her fall in love with me. But deep down, I knew that taking shortcuts in this delicate game would only lead to disaster. There was a long road ahead, with no room for hasty decisions. Premature confessions could unravel everything I had worked so hard to achieve. Alana's voice interrupted my thoughts as she waved her hand in front of me, trying to regain my attention. "Hello? I'm talking to you," she said firmly, her irritation evident. "I'm sorry, what were you saying?" I replied, furrowing my brow and setting my book aside before it ended up soaking in the hot tub. "Once you're done staring at my tits, I'd like to have a conversation with you," Alana said, her tone laced with a mix of annoyance and amusement as she leaned back, submerging herself further into the water and momentarily obscuring the enticing view. "In that case, I'm far from being done," I teased, a playful smirk dancing on my lips. "Alec," she warned, her voice carrying a mix of frustration and allure, which only fueled my growing desire. "I'm listening," I responded, my tone filled with anticipation, fully aware of the direction this conversation was about to take. "Why?" she finally asked. "What, why?" I pretended to be clueless for a moment, wanting to savor her curiosity. "Why did you jump at the offer to be my husband? There's not a single penny in this for you," Alana stated. "You're not a starving actor, so it can't be for fame or opportunity either." I couldn't help but be impressed by how much thought she had put into all of this. Alana's sharp mind was always working, which made our interactions all the more intriguing. "Is that all on your list?" I teased. "Well, am I getting answers?" she asked with a hint of impatience. "I can't tell you everything, but I can share some of it," I promised. "I'm listening," she said, her curiosity piqued. "I've always assumed you come from an old-money family—a family with a long history of stability in the business world," I began, speaking slowly and watching as she nodded along. "A sense of trust and loyalty. The right image." "The right image? What do you mean?" she asked, her brow furrowing. "The company I work for deals with a specific clientele—bigger clients, higher-paying clients who often prefer to work with those from old money because of the familiarity it brings," I explained. "Since I don't have a family background like that, I'm considered 'new money' in their eyes and I get skipped quite often." "If I want to attract those bigger clients, I was told to embed myself into an old-money family. If they can trust me with their daughter, it's seen as a sign that I can be trusted with their business as well," I continued, revealing the strategy behind my actions. Alana raised a skeptical eyebrow at me before letting out a sigh. "That's stupid." "It's how the business world seems to operate. It's all about trust and credibility, and this was the only way I could position myself to secure those higher-paying clients," I admitted openly. Although my true identity was still concealed, this was a crucial step in my ambitious plan for career growth. Alana leaned back in the hot tub, clearly processing the information. Her gaze turned contemplative, and I couldn't help but admire her even more for her ability to adapt and understand the complexities of the world we were navigating together. "What job do you do exactly?" Alana inquired, her curiosity still aflame. "I prepare deals and find the best opportunities, and occasionally, I'm the one who seals the deals as well," I replied, keeping the description vague to dodge revealing too much. "Where do you work?" Alana finally asked the question I couldn't answer at this point. "Is there anything else you'd like to know?" I asked, steering the conversation away from my career for the moment. "Now's the perfect time for us to get to know each other better." Alana seemed to consider her options before asking, "Uhm, any allergies?" "Only to pollen occasionally, but it's not severe," I answered, trying to keep my responses straightforward. "I don't have any allergies either." "I'm well aware," I muttered. We continued with Alana asking more questions to break the ice and help us become more familiar with each other. Eventually, we decided to leave the hot tub and prepare for dinner. I offered to head inside first to get ready, and she followed suit later. I dressed in a pair of black slacks, which I matched with a navy blue button-up shirt neatly tucked in. After adjusting my belt and fixing my hair, I moved to the small living area to wait for Alana. When she emerged from the bedroom, my breath caught in my throat. Alana wore a full-length black dress with a high slit on her right thigh. The dress featured delicate thin straps and a V-cut, revealing just enough to leave me yearning for more. Her hair cascaded in loose curls, and her lips sported a vibrant shade of red. "You look stunning," I couldn't help but say. "Thank you, Alec. You look like you could stand next to me," Alana returned, a playful smile gracing her lips. "Are you ready to go?" I asked, attempting to hide my eagerness to spend more time with her. "I'm not too thrilled about the menu, but sure, let's go. I think it was chosen because Daniel likes seafood." Alana sighed and picked up her purse. "If you'd like, I can make dinner instead. While all the other places might be booked, we can still give it a try," I suggested, eager to prepare another meal for her. The last time had been a success, and her enjoyment had inflated my ego a bit.