Page 4 of X: Command Me through Alexander’s Eyes

“You already know who I am.”

“But there are lots of things I’d like to know about you.” I resist the urge to kiss her neck barely. Instead, my words whisper across her skin, and I see her shiver. “And I’m dying to hear you say yes.”

“What if the answer is no?”

“Trust me, it isn’t.” I can’t keep myself from tasting her again, and I brush a kiss across her jaw.

She pushes at her dress, but it does nothing to hide the tight pop of her nipples against the fabric or the flush lingering on her cheeks.

“Last question,” I say, “and then let’s see if you can guess.”

She hesitates, and I live in a lifetime in that moment, wondering if she’ll figure it out.

“Who are you?” she asks.

I shake my head and mouth yes or no, but inside me, my heart rockets into my throat. It was a cheat—a last-ditch effort to find out.

And somehow, it was the right question. I’m not certain I know the answer to it.

“I should be getting back,” she says.

I rake my eyes over her, wondering briefly if I could be whoever she hopes I am. “I hope to see you again, Clara Bishop.”

I don’t wait for her to leave. Turning to the balcony, I wonder what the fuck just happened. I want to ask her. I want to know what she felt. When I look behind me, she’s gone. Her scent, vanilla and rose, hangs in the air like her final question—equally intangible—but it’s her kiss that lingers.

And I want more.