Val pushed Alexander away angrily as she tried to put herself back in order. He tried to help her, but she pushed him away more forcefully. She did not need him touching her more and making her lose her sensibilities.

"Val," Alexander said in a pleading tone.

She held up a hand to cut him before she angrily shoved her breasts back into her bra and contorted to refasten it. Alexander watched her struggle as she stubbornly refused his assistance. Sighing, he whipped his arms around her and reached up her shirt to fasten it for her.

She stood frozen, afraid her body would betray her again if she did so much as breathe. His warm hands hovered on her back before he reluctantly withdrew them. Her body yearned to follow their warmth, but she fought the urge with all her will.

He reached up and brushed the hair off her face and tucked it behind an ear before finally stepping away.

"Mr. Smith..." Val started.

"Alexander," he corrected.

"Mr. Smith," Val started again. "Do I need to remind you that this pattern of behavior is highly inappropriate?"

"No Val, you have reminded me often enough to know otherwise," Alexander growled.

He turned away from her and walked to his wall of windows and looked down at the street below. Somehow, he looked both ridged and defeated as he placed his hands on the glass and leaned his forehead against the pane. She was unable to resist the urge to walk over to him and place a hand softly on his back. He stiffened slightly before turning his head enough to look at her.

"You don't make it easy though," Alexander admitted softly.

"What am I doing wrong?" she asked him bluntly.

He turned and leaned against the window and softly tugged her into his arms. She buried her face in his chest while he rubbed slow circles on her back and leaned to kiss the top of her head. Tentatively, she wrapped her arms around his torso and leaned into his warmth. His tenderness was at odds with the electrifying touches and looks she had become accustomed to from him.

"Nothing Val, you just have the misfortune of being the first woman I have been attracted to and respected since my wife left," he told her softly. "I'm finding it nearly impossible to stay away and the more you push me away, the more I want to fight back."

"I'm not willing to sacrifice my career, my goals for a fling Alexander," Val told his chest.

Val felt Alexander stiffen at her words and he reached up to grab her chin and lift her face to his. He leaned down until their lips were nearly touching and stopped, looking deep into her soul.

"Make no mistake Val, nothing about this is casual to me," Alexander affirmed. "I have not been with another woman in three years and until you walked into my life, I didn't have a problem with that."

Val scoffed as she pushed herself out of his arms and walked away from him. She needed distance between them to think clearly. This softer, vulnerable side he was projecting was problematic.

"I find that hard to believe," Val said bitterly. "You're good Mr. Smith, better than I gave you credit for."

"Val, don't do that," Alexander pleaded.

He came up and put a hand on her shoulder, but she shrugged it off. Rounding on him, she poked him in the chest.

"You really expect me to believe you've been celibate for the last three years?" Val asked angrily. "You with all you charm, and money, and power, and a body carved by a master sculptor."

"Val..." Alexander tried to interject.

"No, Mr. Smith. It is Ms. Star. And I walked in here more than once and saw Felicia or you fix your clothing. I've seen the lipstick marks she has left on you."

"Are you jealous," Alexander asked stunned.

"No!" Val exploded. "I'm calling you out on your bullshit."

Alexander wiped a hand down his face while looking utterly exhausted.

"I don't suppose there is anything I could say that would change your opinion," Alexander said.

"I highly doubt it," Val confirmed.

"Even if I told you I have been rebuffing her advances every time?" Alexander asked.

"After you're finished with her, I'm sure," Val shot at him.

"I have never fucked my assistant," Alexander fired back. "And I have no intention of changing that."

"Then why keep her around?" Val yelled.

"Because she is good at her job," Alexander yelled back.

Val drew back at his tone and then checked herself. Why were they even fighting about this, it was ridiculous. She did not have any claim over him any more than he had any claim on her.

"Damnit all to Hell Val," Alexander exploded.

Her phone had started ringing again and she pulled it out of her pocket to see Zack was calling. She felt a pang of guilt at forgetting he had been waiting for her since entering the office. She had been eager for the end of her day so she could go on her date and instead, she was bickering with Alexander.

"Is there anything else you need from me, Mr. Smith? I'm late for my date," Val said.

Alexander clenched his jaw as he warred with himself. Regaining his control, he looked at her again.

"Despite what you may think, I called you in here to thank you," Alexander said in an even tone. "Lily adores you and AJ has been acting out less."

Val was caught off guard by the shift in topic. AJ acting out less was a bit of a shocker, but she felt a bubble of pride at the acknowledgment. Odd that a few short weeks ago she was trying to figure out how to get out of the gig but moments earlier she had panicked at the thought of being separated from them prematurely. She had not realized she had become so attached to the crumb crushers until that moment.

"Thank you," Val said as she smiled wide at him.

Alexander leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her lips before pulling back quickly with a groan.

"I am trying to abide by your wishes Val," Alexander said as he turned away and walked behind his desk. "I have no desire to cause you issues with your career nor subject you to any unwanted... attention from me. I do hope he makes you feel at least a fraction of how you make me feel."

Val was even more confused than she had been when they started this conversation. She had to admit, if only to herself, that she had not detected any deception on his part when he was speaking to her. She turned on her heel and left his office quickly.