My Great Escape Led Me to You (Emily Blair) novel Chapter 215

Emily Blair’s brows knitted together before she took a step forward, closing much of the distance between herself and Alex White.

Now that she was closer, Emily could see droplets of water sliding from Alex’s drenched hair, trailing down his neck and disappearing beneath the towel slung over his shoulders. He wore nothing but a pair of swim trunks, the wet fabric clinging to his thighs, every inch of him soaked through. In the dim light, his eyes—sharp and fox-like—glimmered with a dangerous allure.

Emily had never seen Alex quite like this, all peacock swagger and unapologetic bravado. For a split second, she found herself caught off guard, the sight making her momentarily lose her composure.

Alex caught the hesitation and let out a low chuckle, though there was little real amusement in his eyes.

“Ms. Blair, if you keep looking at me like that, I might start to think you’ve got a secret crush on me.”

Emily’s lips curled into a cold, humorless smirk. “My only advice for you is to try your luck at the meat market. You’d fit right in.”

A ripple of muffled laughter came from somewhere nearby.

Alex didn’t seem the least bit ruffled by her jab; he just laughed quietly along with them.

“Emily Blair, I can’t help but wonder—if I ever decided to make a move on you, would your sponsor still take your side?”

Her expression darkened.

Alex was one of the primary investors in the Starlight Piano Competition. If he ever did try something, she doubted the organizers would be as supportive as she’d hope.

Out of the corner of her eye, Emily noticed the door at the far end of the room was still open.

Without another word, she spun on her heel, intent on leaving.

But Alex strode forward and caught her wrist, pulling her to a stop so that they stood face to face, barely eight inches apart.

They were so close that Emily could smell the faint hint of aftershave clinging to his skin, and when she glanced up, her gaze landed squarely on his chest—tanned, damp, and radiating warmth even through the lingering droplets of water.

She immediately scowled and tried to step back, but Alex’s grip tightened, tugging her even closer.

Alex watched her retreat, a soft laugh escaping him.

Now he understood perfectly—Emily’s bravado was all bark, no bite. He’d actually let himself be intimidated by her.

He was about to follow when Isabella Austin stepped into his path, her eyes wide with confusion.

“Alex, since when are you and Emily so close?”

There was a tremor of uncertainty in Isabella’s voice.

She knew Alex had always shown interest in her, but she’d never felt the same way. Still, even if she didn’t want anything to happen between them, she wanted to be the only woman Alex looked at. Only her.

Certainly not Emily Blair.