Thirty Days

The morning sun filtered softly through the sheer curtains of the Lockwood penthouse, casting a golden glow over the room. Grace stirred beneath the covers, the events of the previous night replaying in her mind like a vivid dream.

Thirty days.

Her heart fluttered at the thought. She had agreed to Alex's bet, fully aware that it was a dangerous game. She knew better than to let her guard down, especially with him. But there was something undeniably intoxicating about the challenge, about the possibility of surrendering to the simmering tension between them.

A knock on her bedroom door startled her out of her thoughts.

"Grace?" Alex's deep voice called from the other side.

Her pulse quickened. She sat up, smoothing her hair with her hands. "Come in."

The door opened slowly, and Alex stepped in, dressed casually in a fitted black T-shirt and dark jeans that hugged his lean frame. He carried two cups of coffee, offering one to her with a small, almost mischievous smile.

"Good morning, wife."

Grace rolled her eyes but accepted the coffee. "We're really doing this, huh?"

He sat down at the edge of her bed, his gaze steady. "You said deal."

"I did." She sipped her coffee, savoring the warmth. "So, what now?"

"Now," Alex replied, leaning back on his hands, "we start acting like a real couple. No more avoiding each other, no more walls."

Grace raised an eyebrow. "You make it sound easy."

His lips curved into a smirk. "Nothing about us is easy, Grace."

Her cheeks flushed, and she quickly looked away. She wasn't sure if it was the coffee warming her or his words.

"Tonight, there's a charity gala at the Williams estate," Alex continued. "We'll go together."

"Of course there is," Grace muttered. She set her coffee down on the nightstand. "Guess I better find something to wear."

Alex stood, moving to the door. "Wear something that'll make it hard for me to keep my hands off you."

Her mouth fell open, but before she could respond, he was gone.

The day passed quickly with Grace attending meetings at Lockwood Industries. She immersed herself in work, trying to keep Alex out of her mind, but every so often, his voice echoed in her head.

Thirty days.

When she returned to the penthouse, she found a garment bag hanging on her bedroom door with a note attached.

For tonight. Wear it for me.

Grace unfolded the note, her heart fluttering. She unzipped the bag to reveal a stunning emerald-green gown, the color perfectly matching her eyes. The fabric was soft and flowing, designed to cling to her curves in all the right places.

She bit her lip, shaking her head. He's impossible.

That evening, Grace stood in front of the mirror, smoothing down the dress and adjusting her hair. The gown hugged her slender frame, the deep neckline adding just the right touch of allure without being too revealing. She slipped on a pair of sparkling heels and took a deep breath.

A knock on her door made her jump.

"Are you ready?" Alex's voice came through.

"Yes."

The door opened, and Alex stepped in. His eyes darkened as he took in the sight of her.

"You're breathtaking," he whispered, his voice rough.

Grace felt her cheeks heat up. "You clean up pretty well yourself."

He was dressed in a tailored black tuxedo, looking every bit the powerful billionaire he was. His dark hair was neatly styled, and his hazel eyes gleamed with a mixture of admiration and mischief.

"Shall we?" He offered his arm.

She nodded, placing her hand gently on his arm. As they made their way to the waiting car, Grace couldn't help but wonder if she had made a terrible mistake agreeing to this bet.

The Williams estate was a grand spectacle, illuminated by thousands of twinkling lights. Elegant guests in designer gowns and tailored suits mingled, glasses of champagne in hand. Grace felt a pang of nervousness as they stepped out of the car, but Alex's reassuring hand on the small of her back grounded her.

"Smile, Grace," he whispered in her ear. "Let's give them a show."

She forced a smile, leaning slightly into him as they made their way inside. The room was abuzz with whispers and glances as the couple entered, their chemistry undeniable.

"Alex, Grace, so glad you could make it," David Williams, Alex's father, greeted them with a broad smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

"Wouldn't miss it," Alex replied smoothly, his arm tightening around Grace.

As the evening progressed, Grace found herself enjoying the event more than she expected. She and Alex moved seamlessly through the crowd, their banter light and flirtatious. But beneath the surface, there was an undercurrent of tension that neither could ignore.

As the night drew to a close, Alex pulled Grace onto the dance floor for a final slow dance. His hand rested on her waist, drawing her close, while his other hand clasped hers gently.

"You're making this hard for me," he murmured, his lips brushing her ear.

"Making what hard?" she whispered back.

"Wanting to let you go after thirty days."

Her heart skipped a beat, but she kept her face composed. "Good."

His eyes darkened with something she couldn't quite place, and in that moment, Grace knew that the next thirty days would be the most dangerous game she had ever played.