Lured into Love (Blossom in Winter #2) - Melanie Martins Page 0,107

but it disappears just as fast when I hear Dad call him onstage. Alex gives my hand a kiss before releasing it. He then waves to the crowd, who are applauding him, and stands up.

This is it.

I close my eyes while my fiancé walks away, ready to embrace his new life in Singapore.

“Thank you, Roy, for the warm introduction,” I hear him say into the microphone. “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. It’s indeed with the greatest joy that we are here tonight, not only to celebrate Miss Van Gatt’s healthy return among us, but also to share with you some exciting news.”

“Are you alright, Petra?” Dad asks when he returns, probably seeing my eyes closed.

I nod, and for the sake of politeness, I reopen them, giving him a smile as he sits beside me. I look at the stage, and, just like Dad, I wait patiently for Alex’s announcement. But unlike Dad, I hope it never comes.

“Therefore, in order to accelerate our growth in Asia, we’ve decided that someone from headquarters should move permanently to Singapore and become the new managing director.”

My heart squeezes tight at the word Singapore, and I feel it pounding faster and louder with every second.

“As CEO, it’s my great pleasure to announce—”

I have to close my eyes again. I feel like I’m going to faint at any moment.

“That Mr. Paulo Marques, our dear CFO, will be the new managing director in Singapore.”

WHAT?! I look at Paulo and Anabela instantly. They don’t seem surprised. Then, at Dad. He, on the other hand, is under the same wave of shock as me. He is mute, gaping and glaring intently at Alex while everyone else is clapping and cheering for Paulo, who is now standing up to go onstage. I also look back at Alex, and that asshole has got the cheekiest smile on his face. I can’t help but beam with joy, clapping my hands hard—as hard as I can. “Congratulations, Mr. Marques!” I scream.

Paulo shakes Alex’s hand, taking his place at the podium.

“Relax. It could have been worse,” I tell Dad as I barely contain tears of joy.

“How? Just tell me. How?”

“Well,” I lean closer to Dad’s ear, lowering my voice, “he could’ve made a public announcement about our engagement.”

Dad shakes his head in return, and, standing up in annoyance, he mutters, “I need some fresh air.” And he leaves the table.

I also leave the table, but not for the same reason.

“Hey, Miss…” I grin at the man standing right in front of me. “Did you enjoy the speech?”

“Oh, it was…” It was perfect! “It was a great decision. Paulo has always enjoyed Singapore. And Anabela doesn’t like staying alone in New York,” I say as Alex keeps walking toward me.

“I agree.” And then, reaching for my hand, he whispers, “Come with me.”

Actually, I do want to come at his words right now from all the excitement. I follow him, holding his hand as we leave the main ballroom. We take the stairs up to the next floor, walk down the hallway, and Alex opens a door at the very end, rushing me inside. It’s dark, but with a few windows lighting up the place, I can see it’s another dining room as there are chairs and tables spread all over. Before I can look further, he snatches me up and shoves me against the wall, his mouth devouring mine and my hands already pushing his jacket off. With his help, I remove it, letting it fall to the ground behind us, but we don’t care. Nothing else matters—just us. As he unfastens his belt, I remove my panties hurriedly, wishing they were never there in the first place.

Oh, he is not leaving. He is here. With me. He lifts my legs, wrapping them around his waist, and as my tongue plays with his, I grow desperate to feel him inside of me. I’m even sweating simply at the thought of it. Oh my… how much I missed him. His kiss is long, hungry, and passionate. “Ahh…” At the intensity of his first thrust, my mouth opens wide, but not my eyes. “Ahhh!” The deeper his thrusts, the deeper I feel how much he loves me, how much he missed me, and how much he needs me. Fuck! “Ahh…” This time I hear him too. I tighten my grip around his neck to hold on to while he mounts me eagerly against the wall. “Ah!” He becomes more insistent, his thrusts more hurried as he breathes