“The cafeteria could never match my cooking.”
Danielle arched an eyebrow.
Alexander grabbed her wrist, and with a gentle tug, pulled her right onto his lap.
“What are you doing?”
Danielle gasped, struggling to stand up, but her cheek ended up pressed against his dress shirt, the steady, rhythmic thumping of his heart loud in her ears.
“Stay still.”
Alexander rested his chin on the top of her head, his voice low and raspy. “Let me hold you. Just for a minute.”
“I've been so exhausted lately. Holding you is the only thing that keeps me grounded.”
His embrace was broad and warm, carrying that familiar, intoxicating scent of cedar that belonged entirely to him.
Danielle's body slowly relaxed. The sound of his strong, steady heartbeat echoed in her ears, each thump striking a chord deep within her chest.
“I heard what people were whispering about you out by the elevators.”
Alexander suddenly spoke, a trace of apology in his tone. “I'm sorry you had to hear that.”
“It's nothing to be upset over.”
Danielle shook her head, her voice soft. “People will say whatever they want. I really don't care.”
“But I care.” Alexander tightened his arms, pulling her flush against his chest. “I don't want you to suffer even an ounce of disrespect.”
“Once this busy period is over, we're getting remarried. I'll announce to the whole company that you are my legally wedded wife.”
Danielle stiffened momentarily before gently pushing against his chest, a smile dancing in her eyes. “Who said I was marrying you? I haven't agreed to anything yet.”
“Then I'll just keep waiting.”
Alexander lowered his head, his nose affectionately nuzzling her hair, his tone entirely serious. “I'll wait until you say yes.”
“Focus on getting your health back first.”
Danielle sighed, her fingertips tracing the tense line of his spine beneath his shirt. “If you don't start taking better care of yourself, forget remarrying—I won't even bring you soup anymore.”
Alexander looked at her slightly reddened eyes, the tenderness in his gaze practically overflowing.
He knew her walls were crumbling.
He wasn't in a rush. He had all the time in the world to wait—wait for her to completely let go of the past, wait until she was genuinely ready to spend the rest of her life with him.
He lowered his head, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to her crown. His voice was as gentle as a lover's whisper. “Okay. Whatever you say.”
“You're the boss.”
An unknown amount of time passed before Danielle's phone suddenly rang, shattering the peaceful silence of the office.
She checked the screen and saw it was Niki's preschool teacher. She quickly answered.

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