Fallen 27 Summary
Alaric is struggling to focus because Meadow, a stunning and alluring woman living under his roof, constantly distracts him. Despite his heavy workload, he finds himself unable to look away from her, haunted by the memory of their intimate night together. He feels conflicted, sensing that Meadow could either save him or ruin him.
At work, Alaric observes Tyler Cross, his new assistant, who is clearly unraveling after a recent violent encounter and the disappearance of his girlfriend. Alaric had anonymously reported her missing, which has left Tyler shaken and ineffective on the job. When Tyler comes to Alaric’s office, bruised and disheveled, Alaric confronts him about his incompetence and dishonesty, revealing that he had already rescheduled an important meeting without informing Tyler.
Alaric uses intimidation and sharp words to assert control, making it clear that Tyler’s personal problems are affecting his work and that failure will not be tolerated. He warns Tyler that losing this job is not an option, and although he doesn’t plan to fire him, he wants to keep him under strict control. The encounter leaves Tyler visibly shaken and fearful.
After Tyler leaves, Alaric’s restless frustration remains. His desire for Meadow, who continues to captivate him, grows stronger. He contemplates deepening their relationship, sensing that she might be the only one who can satisfy the hunger and tension he feels inside.
CHAPTER 0027
Alaric’s Perspective
Meadow was driving me absolutely mad.
It had been almost a full week since she’d signed the contract, and life at home had settled into a somewhat normal rhythm.
Well, normal except for the fact that a woman as stunning and irresistibly sexy as Meadow was now living under my roof. I barely spent any time at home because of the mountain of work I needed to catch up on, but whenever I was there, it was impossible for me to tear my eyes away from her.
She moved around in those shorts that seemed crafted to showcase every curve of her perfect ass, like a temptation carved in flesh. She was a little siren, and I was certain she had no clue just how deeply she affected me.
Or maybe she did know exactly what she was doing, deliberately trying to lure me in, daring me to touch her again. I hadn’t since that night I tasted her—the night I made her come so intensely with just my tongue.
That memory was etched into my mind, vivid and relentless. And her taste? Simply divine. Absolutely exquisite.
Meadow was either going to be my salvation or my downfall.
But when I needed a break from the constant distraction she was, the office was a good place to be. Not just to work, but to watch Tyler Cross slowly unravel in my presence.
And rightly so.
His girlfriend had vanished.
After Trip knocked him out, Tyler probably didn’t wake up until the next morning, completely out of it from being so stoned. Waking up to the news that his girl was missing and unreachable had clearly shattered him.
To make matters worse, the police showed up at his door a few days ago because someone—anonymous—had filed a missing person’s report.
That someone was me.
The result? A sleep-deprived, inefficient, and thoroughly incompetent employee.
A sharp knock on the door interrupted my thoughts, and I knew without looking that it was him before he even pushed the door open and peeked inside.
“Sir, do you want me to keep the 11:30 meeting with Delcroix as scheduled, or should I push it to tomorrow? He hasn’t gotten back to me yet.”
I took my time answering, deliberately not glancing up. “I thought I told you to set the meeting for 9 a.m.”
The lie slipped out as smooth as silk.
“S-sir, you—”
“Come here, Tyler,” I commanded. “And shut the door behind you.”
Without hesitation, he obeyed, closing the door firmly before standing in front of my desk. I finally looked away from my laptop and leaned back in my chair.
The urge to pull out my phone and snap a picture of this sorry excuse of a man just to send it to Meadow and have a laugh was almost overwhelming.
Tyler looked like hell. One eye was swollen and purple, and his lip and jaw bore fresh cuts—souvenirs from the little beatdown Trip had given him.
Honestly, I hadn’t expected him to show up at all today, but I figured he didn’t want to miss his first day as my assistant. He didn’t want to push his luck with me.
I didn’t even bother asking what had happened to his face. I wasn’t in the mood for his sob stories.
I ran my thumb along my jawline and asked, “What do I hate the most, Cross?”
His Adam’s apple bobbed nervously as he swallowed hard. “S-sir?”
My gaze sharpened. “I dare you to make me repeat myself.”
The flicker of panic in his eyes was the most satisfying thing I’d seen all day. It fueled me.
He lowered his head slightly. “You hate incompetence, sir.”
“Exactly,” I said, my voice steady and controlled. “Now, come closer.”
He approached cautiously, as if expecting a blow. But I didn’t need to hit him—not yet. I could humiliate him far more effectively with just words.
I swiveled my laptop toward him. “Look.”
He leaned forward, eyes dropping to the screen, and I fought the urge to slam his face into the desk.
Control was underrated.
His confusion was palpable. I could practically hear the gears turning in his head as the color drained from his face.
I watched the slow dawning of realization break his composure. His mouth parted slightly, jaw clenched tight, and a bead of sweat appeared at his temple.
I leaned back, letting the silence stretch.
The meeting with Delcroix had been scheduled for 9 a.m.—not 11:30 as he’d claimed.
It was all there, clear as day, digitally time-stamped with his name attached. Because I had changed it, contacted Delcroix, and pushed the meeting to tomorrow.
And I hadn’t told Tyler.
“Sir…” he began, voice thin and cracking.
My lips twitched, barely suppressing a smirk. “You were saying?”
“I—I don’t understand—”
“No,” I cut him off sharply, my tone cold and flat as ice. “You don’t.”
I rose slowly, moving around my desk with deliberate calm, even though my muscles were tense and itching to move. I stopped right in front of him, watching as he flinched without a single touch.
“I’m disappointed in you, Cross,” I said, exhaling slowly. “Less than a week working for me, and you’ve already let me down. Twice, if I’m counting the fact that you got into a fight.” My eyes flicked to his black eye.
“Are you a criminal, Cross? Should I be worried you’ll bring chaos to my company?” I tilted my head, narrowing my eyes.
His hand instinctively went to his bruised eye. “N-no, sir. It’s personal. Nothing to do with work.”
“I hope so,” I muttered. “But it sure looks like your personal life is bleeding into your job.” I stepped closer, hands shoved into my pockets. “Between you and me? I’d fire a man for incompetence before I’d fire him for trying to screw me over.”
That wasn’t a lie—just a twisted truth.
I continued, “I’m guessing you don’t want to lose this job, do you?”
He shook his head, jaw still tight.
I ran my tongue over my teeth and nodded. “Good. Because I’ll make damn sure you never work anywhere else again.”
That was no bluff. And even though I had no intention of firing him—not anytime soon—threatening him with the idea was a useful tool.
The pay for this job was too good for him to want to risk losing it.
Tyler glanced up quickly, alarm flashing in his eyes. “Sir, I never tried to—”
I raised an eyebrow.
He shut up.
I gave him a slow once-over. “Your face still hurts?”
He stiffened, looked me in the eye, and nodded once. “Yes, sir.”
“Good,” I murmured. “That means you’re still feeling something. Keep it that way.”
He swallowed hard, and I stepped back.
“Now get the hell out of my office.”
Tyler didn’t hesitate. He turned and left, his face pale and posture rigid.
As the door clicked shut behind him, I exhaled slowly and turned back to my desk. The restless electricity coursing through my veins hadn’t faded; if anything, it had intensified.
My hands twitched, aching to touch something. I placed them flat on the desk—still nothing.
Not that I expected any different.
Right now, the only person who could ease this ache and hunger was the woman wearing my ring, pacing around my house in those shorts that made it impossible for me to think clearly.
I let out a sharp breath.
Maybe it was time to take things with my doe to the next level.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
Summary & Review: Fallen
