Page 88 of Surrendering to the Obsession

Her eyes widened. “Rings? So many…?”

Alexander’s lips curved into a slow, amused smile. “So you can wear them on all your fingers,” he said, his gaze lingering on her flushed face.

Mia’s cheeks warmed instantly. She let out a chuckle. “Mr. Graves, these are… so many. I could wear maybe three on each finger!”

Alexander’s frown was almost imperceptible, but it tugged at her attention. “I’ll bring more next time,” he said, his tone low, as if disappointed.

Mia pressed her lips together to stifle a giggle and hugged the bouquet and gift bag tightly to her chest, her fingers clutching them like precious treasures. “This is my first time receiving flowers and gifts from a man,” she admitted, her voice soft, almost shy, yet shining with happiness. She looked up at him, her eyes sparkling. “Thank you so much.”

Alexander’s eyes brightened at once, a rare softness spreading across his face. He reached out, brushing a stray lock of hair from her cheek, his fingers lingering just a moment longer than necessary.

Mia’s smile deepened, playful and teasing. “Alright… keep this for me,” she murmured, handing the bag over to him, “so I can take it from you when we get home.”

Alexander took the gift from her hand, bent slightly, and looked at her with that familiar, expectant gaze. “Mrs. Graves, my gift?” he asked, pressing a finger to his lips.

Mia rose on her tiptoes and placed a brief, soft kiss on his mouth. Pulling back slightly, she smiled up at him.

Alexander cupped her face in both of his hands. “Your kisses are the most precious gift I’ve ever received from anyone,” he murmured, voice low and earnest.

Mia laughed softly, tilting her head. “Mr. Graves, that’s an exaggeration.”

“I’m not exaggerating,” he said, leaning closer so their eyes locked. “I promise you… the only thing I want from you is that you never stop kissing me like this. Every time you kiss me, myheart races so much I can barely breathe. I don’t want anything else.”

Mia’s chest tightened with warmth and longing. Her cheeks flushed, and she smiled at him, gazing into his intense eyes. His gaze drew her in, magnetic and consuming. He leaned closer again, lips inches from hers, the sharp trill of his phone interrupted the moment.

Alexander’s expression hardened as his eyes landed on the screen, Allen’s name flashing across it. His lips pressed into a thin, tense line, twisting with irritation.

Mia giggled at his reaction. “It’s alright, Mr. Graves,” she said, brushing her fingers against his arm. “Take the call. It must be important if Allen is calling this late.”

Alexander exhaled sharply. “I need a quiet corner to talk properly,” he said, extending his hand toward her. “Let’s go.”

Mia shook her head, smiling. “I want to stay here for a bit… just look around. It’s so beautiful.” She gestured to the street, bustling with lights, chatter, and the glow of night life. “You can take the call and come back. I’ll wait for you here.”

Alexander’s lips pressed into a thin line, but the tension in his shoulders softened slightly. “Alright, wait for me,” he said gently, brushing his fingers lightly over her cheek one last time before turning away. He disappeared down the street, phone pressed to his ear, leaving Mia standing with the bouquet held tightly to her chest.

Her heart raced wildly, almost painful in its rhythm. She had never felt a fluttering mix of euphoria and longing like this—every glance, every touch from Alexander sent shivers racing through her body. She spun on her heels, eyes sweeping across the crowded street, lost in the dizzying thrill of the moment…until a shadow fell over her, sudden and heavy, pulling her out of her reverie.

James was suddenly standing right in front of her.

Mia jolted back, breath catching in her throat. Shock ripped through her chest. Before she could even inhale properly, James’s eyes dropped to the flowers in her hands—then to the phone resting in her hand. His lips curled in anger, his jaw locking so tightly a vein pushed out against his skin.

In a blur, he snatched the flowers from her hands, sending them tumbling to the ground. Before she could even react, his fingers wrapped around her phone, eyes dark with contempt as he inspected it. Then, with terrifying calm, he slammed it onto the pavement.

His boot came down hard, crushing it beneath his heel. The screen cracked with a brutal snap, shards scattering slightly, the sound echoing sharply through the quiet night.

Mia finally snapped out of her shock.

“James! What the hell are you doing? Have you gone mad?” she cried, voice trembling with anger and disbelief as she watched him grind the phone into the pavement.

He lifted his foot off the broken pieces, breathing hard, chest rising and falling as though holding himself together by a thread. Then he slowly looked up at her, eyes burning, voice dangerously quiet.

“What is the use of this fucking phone?” His tone was low, cold, but full of a rage she had never heard from him. “I called you, and you didn’t answer. You didn’t even respond to my text?!”

Mia stared at him. Confused, stunned. “Why are you getting angry? I was busy.”

His jaw clenched, the muscles in his neck taut as a flicker of anger darkened his expression. “Busy? You’ve never been busy for me in the past five years! You never ignored my calls—no matter the hour. You always picked up!”

Mia went silent.