AN: So hard to write a conversation chapter lol. Probably the second biggest conversation chapter in the entire book. My brain is scrambled. I haven't proofread it. Let me know if you find any mistakes. [Late update: Got a nasty cold. It slowed down my writing speed.]
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[Alex's Penthouse]
Alex sat back in his armchair, the fire still crackling softly in the background. He hadn't even realized how long he'd been staring at Chloe's photo, the water droplets glistening on her chest, the curve of her body... 'So beautiful.' His mind was already running, evaluating the dynamics, but something about the rawness of it made him smile.
He finished the last sip of wine from his glass, set it down, and then decided it was time to respond in kind.
He stood up and took off his robe. He walked to the bedroom and stood before the mirror. For a moment, he considered the angle, adjusting himself just right in front of the full-length mirror.
"Looks perfect."
He grabbed his phone, snapped a picture angled perfectly to capture his face and upper body up to his waist. His expression was cool and confident... Just the classic Alex Wilson.
With one quick swipe, he selected Chloe's name and typed out a message to accompany the photo:
"Your turn to impress me now 😏. I'd say you've got me beat in the shower scene. God, you look breathtaking gorgeous❤️, but I'm thinking we need a little more… competition."
He hit send, sat down on the bed, and waited for her response.
[Chloe's side – Moments Later]
The steam still clung to the mirror. Chloe sat at the counter, brushing her damp hair into place. The tub behind her bubbled quietly, steam rising.
Her phone buzzed.
She had spent more than a week ignoring him. She had told him after their date that she needed time to think since it was a big decision. Then came the flowers. Every morning, without fail. Bouquets were left at her home and her desk at the LAPD, chocolates stacked neatly with handwritten notes. She had refused to respond. Until tonight.
She unlocked her phone.
The photo made her freeze.
Alex, half-naked, staring straight into the camera. A smirk that wasn't smug but daring. He looked like he knew the exact effect it would have on her. And damn it, he was right. Her mouth went dry. She tried to hold the thought at bay, but her pulse betrayed her.
'HOT! I'm gonna... Ah! Fuck!'
She read his message. "Your turn to impress me now 😏."
She typed.
"That was only because of the promise I made during the shootout. Nothing more. And that picture has nothing to do with the flowers and chocolates you keep sending me."
Send.
She set the phone down and exhaled. Her chest rose and fell faster than she wanted. The picture had rattled her more than she expected.
Buzz.
She picked it up again.
"Funny. You say it's nothing, but I don't buy it. You don't send a pic like that without wanting me to react. And I know you, Chloe. I know what you are thinking. If I am right, I'd say that you like being challenged 😏."
Her lips pressed into a tight line, but she smiled anyway. She started typing.
"Maybe I like the challenge. Doesn't mean I like you winning it."
Buzz.
"Who said anything about winning? I just like playing with you. Tell me, Chloe. Do you want control, or do you want to be swept off your feet? 🤔"
Her fingers moved slowly.
"I don't know what I want yet. This is all new. All the attention, all the gestures. Like I don't even remember the last time someone sent me flowers. You have a lot of women, Alex. That's not easy to overlook."
Buzz.
"I told you the truth from day one. After that, it was your choice since it's a big decision, and your life and your daughter's life will change. But just because it's your decision doesn't mean that I'll give up on you. I like you and I'd like to date you, kiss you, hug you, love you, and keep you and Trixie happy for the rest of your lives. That I promise. And the flowers will keep coming every day regardless of your decision."
She read the text. Too many thoughts ran through her mind. Why did he sound so calm? Why did his words feel heavier than they should?
Her reply came quickly.
"Good. Because I won't be some trophy on your shelf."
The answer came back faster.
"I never thought you were. I don't collect trophies. I build partnerships. Teams. You'd be surprised how much that matters to me..."
"How much you matter to me."
She sat back, silent for a while. Her thumb hovered over the keyboard. Finally she asked:
"Are you sure about this?"
Buzz.
"Yes. I'm sure about this."
She quickly typed with a smile, "Flowers?"
Alex quickly replied, "Everyday."
Her chest tightened. The hot tub bubbled behind her, filling the silence. She glanced at the water, then typed.
"I'm about to get into the hot tub. Thinking maybe a video call? 😏"
Her thumb hovered. She almost deleted it. But she hit send.
[Alex's Penthouse]
His screen lit up. He raised an eyebrow as he read her message.
"Even better."
He hit the video call button immediately.
[Chloe's bathroom]
Chloe leaned back in the tub, her hair damp against her shoulders, bubbles rising around her as she adjusted the phone in her hand. Steam curled in lazy swirls across the lens, giving everything a hazy glow.
"Okay," she said, lifting the phone just enough so he could see her eyes, the waterline, and the faintest hint of her collarbone above the bubbles. "But ground rules. This is purely scientific. Strictly research."
Alex raised an eyebrow from his side of the screen. "Research? Into what, exactly?"
"Into you," she said, lips quirking into a smile. She sank a little lower so that only her face peeked above the foam. "I need to know what I'm dealing with if I'm going to keep humoring these flowers and chocolates. Evidence-based decision making, you know?"
He leaned closer to the camera, his smile slow and deliberate. "So what are you hoping to find? Weaknesses? Strengths? Or maybe where I hide the good wine?"
"Your body," she said simply. "Consider this a… full body examination."
Alex chuckled as he raised his phone to give her a nice show of his abs. "Like this?"
Chloe narrowed her eyes as if she were analyzing data. "Closer. I need angles. Turn a little." She tilted her head. "Hmm. Not bad. For research purposes, of course."
He played along, shifting so the light caught the curve of his muscles. "Doctor Decker, I hope your professional notes are flattering."
"Strictly objective," she replied, though the corner of her mouth betrayed her. She lowered the phone ever so slightly, a ripple of bubbles slipping across her skin. Enough to tease, not enough to give away too much. "How's your pulse?" she asked, voice low. "Because mine's a little high."
Alex smirked. "You already know the answer. But I'll let you write it down in your report."
She laughed softly, pulling the phone close to her face again. "You're impossible." Her eyes softened, lingering on him longer than she meant to. "But you're good at this. Too good."
"Maybe I'm not trying to win," he said. His tone was lighter now, steady, but the look in his eyes was intent. "Maybe I just like the game. Especially with you."
For a moment, neither spoke. The only sounds were the faint crackle of fire on his end and the bubbling water on hers. Chloe shifted against the porcelain, chewing lightly on her lip.
"Careful," she said finally. "Keep this up and I might actually start enjoying your flowers."
"Good," Alex replied without missing a beat. "Because tomorrow, you're getting two bouquets."
Her laugh broke through, warm and unguarded. She covered her face with her hand, shaking her head. "You're relentless."
"And you like it," he said.
Her eyes sparkled at the screen. "Maybe I do. But this is still just research."
Alex smirked. "Then I'll keep giving you more material."
Chloe leaned back in the bubbling water, her cheeks warmed more by their conversation than the steam. She twirled a damp strand of hair between her fingers as she gave Alex a look that was half daring and half amused. She even raised her chest and gave him a live show of her wet and soapy boobs.
"You know," she said, voice light but steady, "since you already got an eyeful of me, I think it's only fair that I get the same treatment. Show me your butt."
Alex chuckled softly as he walked back to the living room and poured himself another glass of wine. "Really? Aren't we going too fast?"
"You heard me," Chloe said. She raised an eyebrow, testing him. "Fair is fair."
He tapped the side of his glass like he was considering the request. His eyes never left the screen. "Alright," he said slowly, "But only if you agree to something first."
Her lips curved into a faint smile. "Oh? Negotiations already? I should have expected that."
"I'm a businessman, Chloe," Alex replied as he sat down on the chair and took a sip of wine. "Everything's about terms. You want the back view, then I want a second date. Then, I'll give you a live show. You get the picture."
Chloe leaned forward slightly, resting her arms on the edge of the tub. Her damp skin shimmered faintly. "So if I go on another date with you," she asked, pausing just long enough for emphasis, "you're going to be my personal stripper for the night?"
Alex's laugh filled the screen, low and genuine. "Stripper is a strong word. I was thinking more along the lines of… a brief flash. Artistic. Tasteful. Maybe accompanied by a toast." He tilted his head, eyes gleaming. "Unless you prefer the full performance?"
Chloe tilted her head back, biting her lip in thought, pretending to deliberate. "You do realize what you're offering, right? That's a dangerous promise to make to a detective."
"That's the fun of it," Alex said smoothly. "Danger makes life worth living."
Her eyes narrowed in mock suspicion. "So let me get this straight. If I say yes to a second date, you'll give me a live show. And if I say no?"
"Then," Alex said, leaning forward, "you don't get the view. Simple as that. But something tells me you're too curious to walk away now."
Chloe's lips parted into a slow smile. She lifted her phone a little closer, her eyes glinting with challenge. "Careful, Alex. If I don't get what I want, I might have to cuff you. And you'd be surprised how creative I can get with a pair of handcuffs."
Alex tilted his head, clearly amused. "Oh, I'm counting on it. But tell me, Detective, if you cuff me… what happens after? Do I get questioned? Booked? Or do you just enjoy the view?"
Chloe laughed quietly, shaking her head. "I might do more than cuff you. You wouldn't even know what hit you until it was too late."
"I like the sound of that," Alex said, the firelight flickering behind him. He leaned back into his chair with practiced ease. "But let me flip the question. Are you sure you'd be able to handle me if I decided to resist arrest?"
Chloe smirked, arching her brow. "Are you challenging my skills, Mr. Wilson?"
"I'd never dare underestimate you," Alex said, smiling faintly. "But I think we both know you'd enjoy the struggle as much as the win."
Her fingers tapped against the phone, the playful rhythm matching the bubbling water behind her. "You're too sure of yourself."
"Maybe," Alex admitted. "Or maybe I just know how to read people. And right now, I'm reading someone who's intrigued, conflicted, and a little more tempted than she wants to admit."
Chloe rolled her eyes, but her smile betrayed her. "Tempted? Please. This is me staying professional. Evidence gathering. I told you."
"And I told you," Alex replied, voice steady, "that research can get addictive. One case leads to another, and suddenly you've built a whole file."
Chloe shook her head with a laugh, sinking slightly deeper into the water until the foam reached her chin. "So you think I'm building a file on you?"
"Of course," Alex said. "And I'm making sure it's filled with the best evidence possible."
She tilted her head, eyes narrowing just a little. "You really don't give up, do you?"
"Not when it matters," Alex said softly. He let the words linger, the tone shifting just enough to be more than banter. "And you matter, Chloe."
Her smile faltered just slightly at the weight of the words. She looked away for a moment, staring at the rippling bubbles in her tub. Her lips pressed together as if she were holding back a reply.
When she finally looked back at the screen, her smirk had returned, though her eyes gave her away. "If I say yes to this second date, don't think I'll go easy on you."
Alex leaned forward, resting his elbow on the armrest. "I'd be disappointed if you did."
Chloe stood up from the tub and held her phone just at a right angle to give Alex the full frontal view of her perfect body. Then she winked. "Well, pick me up next week. Sunday night." She moved the phone slowly down to her pussy area, which was sadly covered with foam.
Alex squinted his eyes and looked closer, 'C'mon. Fuck you fucking foam. Get out of my way.'
Chloe noticed how restless Alex was to get a view of her body. She was so horny at the moment that if Alex was before her, she would have just jumped on him and ridden him right there.
"Good night, Mr. Wilson." She quickly shifted the camera toward her face and winked with a sly smile before cutting the call.
"YOU EVIL😈😈"
Chloe got an instant text from Alex. She typed back, "😎😎 See you on our date night."
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