Colette pushed the heavy duvet aside. She swung her legs over the edge of the bed, her bare feet hitting the cold hardwood floor. She walked into the bathroom, splashed freezing water on her pale face, and changed into a simple cashmere lounge set.
She walked down the grand, sweeping staircase of the penthouse. The silence of the massive apartment felt heavy. She headed toward the dining room, expecting to see Mrs. Davies arranging the silverware.
Instead, she found Alex.
He was standing by the long mahogany table, pouring fresh black coffee from a silver carafe. The morning sunlight poured through the windows, illuminating his broad shoulders and the perfect, expensive cut of his dark trousers.
Colette paused in the doorway. She watched him for a second, her breath catching slightly at how naturally he occupied the opulent space.
Alex sensed her presence. He turned smoothly and offered her a steaming ceramic cup of coffee.
Colette stepped forward and took the cup. As she reached out, the sleeve of his shirt pulled back slightly. The sunlight caught the face of a heavy, silver watch on his wrist.
She sat at the head of the table. She took a sip of the bitter coffee, studying him over the rim of the cup.
"A Beaumont Corp COO salary is generous," Colette pointed out, her tone sharp and observant. "But it doesn't easily cover a limited-edition Patek Philippe."
Alex pulled out a chair and sat adjacent to her. His movements were fluid, lacking the nervous energy of an employee sitting with his boss's daughter. He moved with a distinct, quiet arrogance. An aristocratic ease.
He took a sip of his own coffee. His expression remained perfectly placid.
"I made some fortunate investments in the tech sector years ago," he replied smoothly.
Colette narrowed her eyes. Her sharp mind picked up on his evasive phrasing. He didn't blink. He didn't justify it further.
"Right," she joked, a cynical smirk playing on her lips. "With that commanding aura of yours, you act more like an Old Money heir than a steward's adopted son."
Alex's fingers tightened marginally around his ceramic mug. It was a microscopic tell, but the ceramic scraped faintly against the saucer.
He smoothly deflected. "Your observational skills are sharp. Very fitting for Harrison Beaumont's daughter."
Colette smirked, taking the bait. A surge of pride warmed her chest at the compliment. She picked up her fork and cut into the fluffy omelet Mrs. Davies had left on the warming tray. The tense air in the room dissipated into a comfortable, easy banter.
Alex watched her eat. His dark gaze traced the delicate, stubborn curve of her jawline.
"Has Julian contacted you yet this morning?" he asked.
Colette's fork paused mid-air. Her good mood evaporated instantly, replaced by a cold knot in her stomach.
She glanced at her phone resting face-up on the mahogany table. The screen was completely blank. No missed calls. No texts. Nothing.
She forced a nonchalant shrug, shoving a piece of egg into her mouth. "He's busy. He's managing the Sterling family fund. Wall Street doesn't sleep."
Alex noted the slight tremor in her hand as she set the silver fork down. His chest ached for her.
"I can have my assistant push your bridal boutique appointment to the afternoon," he offered quietly.
Colette shook her head stubbornly. She grabbed her coffee cup, gripping it like a lifeline. "No. I refuse to let his schedule derail mine."
"Colette-"
"I will go alone if I have to," she declared, lifting her chin in fierce defiance. Her eyes dared him to pity her.
Alex finished his coffee. He stood up, his imposing height instantly casting a shadow over her end of the table.
"Mr. Beaumont asked me to review the upcoming wedding security contracts and the finalized guest background checks with you today," he stated, his tone leaving no room for argument. "It is far more efficient to process them from the penthouse library, ensuring your privacy and safety."
Colette looked up, genuinely surprised by the sudden shift to corporate protocol. She opened her mouth to argue, to tell him she didn't need a babysitter hovering around her apartment. But she met his eyes. The quiet, absolute authority in his dark gaze, combined with her father's strict security mandates, silenced her protests in her throat.
She nodded slowly. She looked back down at her plate, secretly, desperately relieved that she wouldn't be entirely alone in the massive, echoing penthouse today.
