Gie stood at his penthouse door, clutching the small, carefully wrapped box in her hands.
She had walked all the way up, taken the elevator without thinking, driven by nothing but the need to see this through.
But now?
Now she hesitated.
Because she forgot to call him.
Forgot to let him know she was coming.
And for the first time in weeks, that hesitation hit her like a wave. She had come unannounced, with something intimate, something explicitly designed for him.
Would he even want to see her tonight?
Would she be interrupting something?
Would he even—
Before she could decide to turn back, the door swung open.
And there he was.
He had just come home. She could tell instantly by the undone tie, the black silk hanging loosely around his collar, and his jacket slung carelessly over his arm. His crisp shirt was slightly wrinkled from a long day, the top buttons undone, revealing just a hint of warm skin beneath the expensive fabric.
His gray eyes—sharp, unreadable—locked directly onto hers.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then—
"Unexpected visit," he murmured.
Gie swallowed. "I— The piece. It's done."
He tilted his head slightly, eyes flickering toward the box in her hands.
Then, without another word, he stepped aside.
"Come in."
She stepped inside, trying desperately not to react to the way his scent filled the space—spice, leather, and something distinctly him.
They settled into the living area, where the soft glow of the city lights streamed through the glass walls.
"You worked for weeks," Alexander said, watching her as he leaned against the edge of the sofa.
She shrugged, keeping her voice casual. "I wanted it to be perfect."
His lips curved slightly, like he knew there was more to that statement than she was willing to admit.
"And?"
She placed the box onto the coffee table between them. "I think this is it."
A small pause.
Then—he reached for the box, fingers grazing the ribbon as he undid it with ease.
The moment the lid lifted, the jewelry gleamed under the warm light.
Black gold. A perfect-cut black diamond. A delicate chain connecting it elegantly to a matching necklace.
For a long time, he didn't say anything. He just examined it, turning it between his fingers as if absorbing every detail.
And then—
"Come with me."
Gie blinked. "What?"
Alexander had already stood, his presence undeniable as he turned toward the hallway.
"The closet," he said smoothly, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Her heart stuttered. She wasn't sure what she had expected—but it wasn't this.
Still, she followed.
Because how could she not?
His walk-in closet was exactly as she remembered it—massive, sleek, controlled. A wardrobe filled with nothing but perfection.
But this time, something was different.
Because he didn't hesitate. He reached for his tie, pulling it off effortlessly, then unbuttoned his dress shirt.
And this time, she was ready.
Or at least—she thought she was.
Until she saw what was already there.
A silver ring gleamed against his right nipple.
She stared, completely stunned.
"You—" she swallowed. "You already have one?"
Alexander sat down on the low leather sofa, resting his arms along the backrest, watching her reaction closely.
"I had it done after you told me you could make the piece," he admitted, completely unbothered. "So it would be healed in time."
Gie's brain stopped working.
"You—" She struggled to process it. "You did this… in preparation?"
His lips curved slightly. "Why do you sound so surprised?"
Her mouth opened—then closed. Because, honestly? She didn't know. She had assumed this was just an idea, just a commission, something detached and professional.
But now, knowing he had done this specifically for her piece—her pulse spiked violently.
He chuckled softly, noticing her expression. "First my ear, then my nipples. At this rate, I'll have an entire collection done just for you."
Heat flooded her cheeks, embarrassment mingling with an unexpected sense of warmth. She felt special—and dangerously so.
Alexander held up the jewelry she had made, turning it between his fingers before his gray eyes flicked up to meet hers.
"Help me put it on."
Gie's entire body locked up.
She knew this was coming. She should have expected it. But hearing him say it—low, smooth, undeniably seductive—it did things to her.
"I—" She swallowed. "I mean, you can just—"
He raised a brow. "You designed it. Shouldn't you be the one to see it in place?"
Her entire body betrayed her. She was already stepping forward before she could think, already kneeling slightly in front of him, hands reaching out before she could stop herself.
His shirt was completely undone, exposing the sharp lines of his torso, the way his abs flexed subtly under the soft lighting.
Her fingers trembled as she brushed against his warm skin, feeling the subtle rise and fall of his breath.
But the moment her fingers brushed against the silver ring already in place, her lungs forgot how to function.
And Alexander noticed.
Because the way he was looking at her—like he was watching every single thought run through her mind, like he knew exactly what this was doing to her, like he was letting her fall deeper on purpose.
Her fingers slipped the black gold piece into place, securing the delicate chain that connected perfectly to the matching necklace, adjusting it carefully, ensuring that it sat exactly how she envisioned.
And the moment she finished—
The moment she looked up and saw his gray eyes locked onto hers, his gaze unreadable, predatory, powerful—she knew.
She was in so much trouble.