Strong hands caught her mid-fall, steadying her with surprising ease. "Careful," came a deep, curt voice.
Ella looked up, and promptly forgot how to breathe. Alexander's gray eyes fixed on her with an intensity that made her stomach flip.
Up close, Alexander Sterling was even more striking than his pictures. His hold was firm but not unkind, his presence overwhelming yet controlled. It felt like a practiced control that spoke of someone accustomed to handling unexpected situations.
"I...I am so sorry," she stammered, quickly recovering her footing but not quite her composure. "I wasn't looking where I was going." She added as she steadied her breathing.
"No harm done," Alexander replied, his expression impassive. "Are you alright?"