Chapter 16

Alana’s POV. I found myself locked in Alec's gaze as I straddled him, a heady mixture of desire and uncertainty coursing through me. His eyes traveled from mine to my lips, and I couldn't help but notice the way his tongue darted out to moisten his lower lip. Alec had a way of drawing out a raw, primal desire in me that I hadn't felt in years. With him, I could be myself without fear of judgment. He looked at me with awe, always. For a fleeting moment, I considered whether I should give this fake marriage a second thought. Maybe there was a chance that we could make it work, that I could find some genuine happiness in this arrangement. But then reality crashed in; Alec was in this for his benefit. He was using our marriage as a stepping stone for his career. He was always one step ahead, and I wasn't about to enter a game where I might lose my heart. However, the undeniable truth remained: I was still a woman with needs, and there was something about Alec that piqued my interest. Leaning down, I brushed my lips against his, a barely-there touch that sent a shiver down both our spines. Alec's warm breath ghosted over my lips, and he let out a soft sigh when I teased him. My lips trailed to his ear, his large hand gripping my ass as I gently rocked against him. "We can't keep doing this," I whispered, my voice thick with desire. "Why not?" Alec replied in a raspy tone. "This is all fake, remember?" I subtly shifted my hips, pressing more firmly against his pants. "Is that your only concern?" Alec's hands slid up to my waist, slow and deliberate. "I can't risk you falling in love with me," "Valid point, Alana," Alec shrugged, but then he pulled me closer, his breath mingling with mine, and added, "But we still have to convince the public." "Then perhaps we can refer to this as practice," I suggested, my fingers tracing the freckles on his skin that were barely visible but somehow captivating. "Practice works out well," Alec agreed, his gaze dropping to my lips. A mischievous smirk danced on his own as he continued, "I should get plenty since I'm your boy toy, after all." "Okay," I chuckled at his playful remark, the sound of our laughter filling the air. With deliberate slowness, I removed one of my gloves and touched Alec's face, feeling the coldness of his skin gradually warming beneath my fingertips. I traced the outline of his perfectly kept stubble, relishing the sensation, and finally leaned in to capture his lips with mine. I couldn't deny the pleasure that surged through me as our lips met once more. I wonder if I’d ever have enough of it. Alec deepened the kiss, his hand gently tangling in my hair, eliciting a soft moan from my lips. The taste of him, the way his tongue danced with mine, sent shivers down my spine. It was a passionate embrace as if he wanted to claim every part of me as his own. In the heat of the moment, our positions shifted. Alec moved skillfully, his body now hovering above mine. There was an intensity in his touch, and his hand found its way to my breast, applying a tantalizing pressure that made my heart race. My legs instinctively wrapped around him, drawing him closer, while my fingers traced the contours of his strong arms. Every muscle under my touch seemed to respond to my caress, and it only added to the electric connection between us. Breathing heavily, Alec broke the kiss, his lips hovering just above mine. His whispered words sent a thrill through me. "You're so perfect, Alana," he murmured, his warm breath brushing against my ear. The anticipation hung in the air as he asked, "Are you gonna beg for it?" "You'll be the one begging, Alec." I leaned in for another kiss, but he pulled away with a knowing grin. "Is that a challenge?" he teased. I met his gaze head-on. "Hardly, especially since I'll win," I retorted. “Game on,” with a wink, Alec got to his feet, offering me a hand up. The interruption may have left us frustrated, but the thrill of this newfound challenge promised to be worth the wait. The rest of the day passed in a delightful blur. After settling into the cozy cabin, we decided to head out for lunch at a nearby restaurant. The rustic charm of the place and the hearty meal left us in high spirits. Later we ventured to the sledding spot I had fondly reminisced about. It had been years since I had visited this place, but the memories were vivid. As we climbed the small hill and took our sleds to the starting point, the excitement of the moment washed over us. We ended up enjoying our time there. As the evening sky darkened, we found ourselves in front of a bonfire pit. I had no idea how to start a fire, but Alec seemed to be quite the expert. With skillful hands, he started a fire, and we settled into the cold, plushy outdoor seats around it. I took a sip of my wine and began to read my book on my tablet. Alec, on the other hand, excused himself and headed inside for a moment. I couldn't help but notice the positive response to our recent honeymoon photos. The comments were filled with well-wishes and compliments, a stark contrast to the mixed reactions I used to receive when posting pictures of Daniel and me. Alec might not have been aware, but numerous people were swooning over him in my comment section, while others speculated about our relationship, labeling him as a sugar baby and more. It was all quite intriguing. My curiosity grew as I observed that Daniel had been actively engaging with my posts, liking and viewing everything I shared. It was a strange behavior that I couldn't quite decipher. The door slid open, and I looked up to see Alec returning, carrying a delightful spread of graham crackers, marshmallows, and my favorite salted caramel chocolate. I had only mentioned my preference to him a day ago. How had he managed to procure it so quickly? "You remembered?" I asked, genuinely surprised by his thoughtfulness. "I remember everything about you, Alana," Alec replied with a warm smile. He leaned in, seemingly about to share a practice kiss, but his phone rang, interrupting the moment. He shot me an apologetic look before setting the plate down and stepping away to answer the call. Increasingly, I had begun to question the frequency of Alec's phone calls and the urgency in his tone during some of them. It was as if he had another life hidden beneath the surface, and it left me feeling uneasy. Quietly, I got up from my seat and moved closer to eavesdrop on his conversation. Alec's voice was filled with a hint of frustration as he spoke into the phone, saying, "I know. I know, but I can't risk them finding out yet. This marriage is just as important as my job, I assure you. You've got nothing to worry about. They'll find out when the time is right, and they'll all be left surprised." A sense of unease gnawed at me. What was Alec up to exactly? I couldn't call my father to ask, as it would inevitably lead to more questions about my marriage. I was determined to unravel this mystery on my own, and hopefully, I would do so before Alec's surprises took us all by storm.