Alec’s arm moved with deliberate dominance, wrapping tightly around Melissa’s waist and yanking her flush against him. The sudden closeness stole her breath. Their bodies were pressed together like second skin, and the intensity of his grip made it clear — there would be no escape, not here, not now.
Melissa’s fingers twitched at her side. Her first instinct was to pull away, to push him off with whatever strength she could gather. But then her eyes flicked around — guards, board members, high-ranking officers, and elite employees stood around them, watching with interest, admiration, and thinly-veiled curiosity. Every gaze was heavy. Every smile sharp. Every camera lens trained on their every move.
So she froze. Swallowed her panic. And instead of fighting, she slowly lifted her hand an
