Bound For You

The next few days passed in a blur of avoidance, a dance of silence that left Grace feeling both liberated and trapped. She threw herself into her new role at Lockwood Industries, immersing herself in meetings that stretched into the late hours, poring over contracts that felt like a labyrinth of legal jargon. Each day was a battle to prove that she was more than just *Jake Lockwood's daughter*. She was determined to carve out her own identity, to stand on her own two feet in a world that often saw her as a mere extension of her father's legacy.

But despite her best efforts, she had barely seen Alex since that fateful night in the garden.

A part of her was relieved.

Another part of her was… disappointed.

She hated herself for that.

But it didn't matter. Because even when he wasn't around, he was *everywhere*.

He was in the way her body tensed at the mere thought of him, a visceral reaction that she couldn't control.

He was in the way her pulse spiked whenever she heard his deep, smooth voice echoing through the halls of the office, a sound that sent shivers down her spine.

He was in the way her skin still burned from his touch, a lingering heat that refused to fade.

And it was driving her insane.

So, when Friday night rolled around and Emma called, practically *demanding* a girls' night out, Grace agreed without hesitation.

She needed a distraction.

She needed to remember who she was before *him*.

---

The Club – A Dangerous Game

The music pulsed through the club, a steady, hypnotic rhythm that vibrated in Grace's bones, wrapping around her like a warm embrace. The air was thick with the scent of sweat and perfume, a heady mix that made her feel alive. She downed the rest of her cocktail, the liquid fire igniting her senses and spreading warmth through her veins. The alcohol buzzed pleasantly in her system, numbing the thoughts that had been plaguing her for days, allowing her to forget—if only for a moment.

Emma grinned beside her, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she tossed back a shot before grabbing Grace's hands. "Alright, enough brooding. We're dancing."

Grace laughed, the sound bubbling up from her chest as her best friend dragged her onto the dance floor, spinning her in a circle before swaying to the music.

For the first time in what felt like *forever*, she let herself get lost in the moment.

She closed her eyes, feeling the bass thrumming beneath her skin, the energy of the crowd surrounding her, the sheer *freedom* of not having to think.

She was just about to lose herself completely when she felt it—

A presence.

Strong. Overpowering. *Familiar.*

Her body reacted before her mind even registered it.

Her breath hitched.

Her pulse quickened.

Slowly, she opened her eyes… and her heart slammed against her ribs.

Alex.

He stood across the room, leaning against the bar, his posture relaxed yet commanding, watching her with an expression she couldn't quite decipher.

He wasn't alone.

A woman draped herself over him, her long fingers tracing slow patterns over his chest. She was gorgeous—sleek dark hair cascading down her back, long legs that seemed to go on for miles, a body that looked like it had been sculpted for sin.

And yet… Alex wasn't paying her the slightest bit of attention.

His eyes were *only* on Grace.

A slow smirk tugged at his lips as he lifted his drink, taking a deliberate sip, his gaze never wavering from her.

Grace's stomach tightened.

She hated that he affected her like this.

Hated that one look from him could undo days of carefully built defenses.

*No.*

She refused to play his games.

Lifting her chin, she turned back to Emma. "Shots?"

Emma, blissfully unaware of the silent war happening across the room, grinned. "Now *you're* speaking my language."

They made their way to the bar, squeezing into the space a few feet from Alex.

She could *feel* his gaze burning into her, but she refused to acknowledge him.

The bartender slid two tequila shots their way, and Grace lifted hers, clinking it against Emma's before tossing it back.

The burn was a welcome distraction.

But then—

A warm breath at her ear.

"You're playing a dangerous game, *wife*."

A shiver raced down her spine, igniting a fire that she had tried so hard to extinguish.

She turned her head slowly, meeting Alex's smoldering hazel eyes, which seemed to hold a thousand secrets.

Up close, he looked effortlessly sinful—his dark hair slightly tousled, his shirt unbuttoned just enough to hint at the toned chest beneath.

"Funny," she murmured, arching a brow, her heart racing. "I was about to say the same to you."

His gaze flickered to her lips, and for a second, just a second, she thought he might kiss her.

But then he leaned back, a knowing smirk curling his lips. "Enjoy your night, sweetheart."

And just like that, he walked away, leaving her breathless.

Furious.

*And wanting more.*

---

The Bet

It was nearly two in the morning when Grace stumbled back into the penthouse, her heels in one hand, the taste of tequila still lingering on her tongue like a sweet poison. The night had been a whirlwind of laughter, dancing, and fleeting moments of connection with strangers, but all she could think about was Alex.

She was halfway to her bedroom when she heard it—

A deep chuckle that sent a jolt of awareness through her.

Her steps faltered.

Slowly, she turned.

Alex was lounging on the couch, one arm draped over the backrest, his tie undone, his sleeves rolled up, revealing forearms that were both strong and inviting. A whiskey glass dangled from his fingers, the amber liquid catching the light as he swirled it lazily.

"You look like you had fun," he mused, his voice smooth and teasing, as if he had been waiting for her all night.

Grace narrowed her eyes, crossing her arms defensively. "And you look like you're waiting to scold me."

His smirk widened, a glimmer of mischief dancing in his hazel eyes. "Not at all. Just… observing."

She huffed, making her way toward the stairs, desperate to escape the magnetic pull he had on her. "Goodnight, Alex."

But before she could escape, his voice stopped her, low and compelling.

"Do you *really* want this marriage to be fake?"

Her breath hitched, caught off guard by the intensity of his question.

She turned slowly, crossing her arms tighter, as if to shield herself from the truth. "What are you talking about?"

Alex stood, closing the distance between them with a predatory grace that made her heart race.

"You say this is just a contract," he murmured, his fingers grazing her arm, sending sparks of electricity through her. "But your body tells a different story."

Heat flared through her, a rush of anger and desire that left her breathless.

She took a step back, trying to regain her composure. "You're delusional."

He chuckled, a low, throaty sound that sent shivers down her spine. "Maybe. But I have an idea."

She arched a brow, curiosity piqued despite herself. "I'm *terrified* already."

His gaze darkened, the air between them thickening with tension. "Let's make a bet."

She crossed her arms, her heart pounding in her chest. "I don't gamble."

"You will for this."

Intrigued despite herself, she tilted her head, her defenses wavering. "What's the bet?"

A slow, dangerous smile spread across his lips, one that made her stomach flutter with a mix of excitement and dread.

"For the next thirty days, we act like a *real* couple."

Her heart stopped, the weight of his words crashing over her like a tidal wave. "What?"

"We drop the act. We stop fighting it. We give in—to all of it. The attraction. The chemistry. *Everything.*"

She swallowed hard, her mind racing. "And then?"

"At the end of thirty days," he said smoothly, his voice low and enticing, "if you still think this marriage is fake, if you *still* think we don't belong together, I'll let you go."

Silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken words and possibilities.

This was *insane*.

This was *dangerous*.

But as she stared into his hazel eyes, she knew one thing for certain—

She wanted to play.

So, with her pulse racing, she met his gaze and whispered—

"Deal."

---

The air crackled with tension as the words hung between them, a promise and a challenge wrapped in one. Grace felt a thrill of anticipation coursing through her veins, a dangerous excitement that made her heart race. She had no idea what she was getting herself into, but the thought of exploring this uncharted territory with Alex was intoxicating.

As she turned to head to her room, she could feel his gaze on her, a burning intensity that made her skin prickle. She was stepping into a game that could change everything, and deep down, she knew there was no turning back.

The next thirty days would be a whirlwind of passion, conflict, and discovery, and she was ready to embrace it all.

After all, what was life without a little danger?