Must be his voice then, and of course his looks. He'd been on magazine covers as well as headline news in the business world after having just sold his holdings for more than most people would see in ten lifetimes.

Alexandra tried not to think about the type of business he was planning to open. Doing so only caused her brain to misfire and her body to tingle and feel alive in a way it never had before. She'd always dreamed about being taken by a dominant man, her body used, her mind, heart and spirit controlled by one who knew what he was doing. To trust so deeply she could give of herself in every way possible. Funny thing was, she'd never before known there was a name for it.

Until speaking with Raith Aldan, Alexandra had never put the word submissive to anything she identified as. To think there were people out there who actively knew and partook in such relationships was both surprising and scary. Surprising because for so long she'd thought she was one of a very small group of people. Scary because now that she knew about this set of people, knew about the clubs, parties and even educational and social meetings, she wanted to know more and possibly even become a part of it all.

Of course, Mr. Aldan was not the man she wanted to learn more from. He was bossy, a man used to getting his own way in all things, all the time. Alexandra knew she wasn't ready for that and even if she were, she wasn't the type who could be bought.

Steeling her spine, she moved to the chair behind her desk and sat. Margaret would show him in when he arrived. Pacing the floors and jumping for the door in eager anticipation the second he walked into the waiting area would only undermine the professional nature she was seriously hoping to adhere to.

"No mixing business with pleasure," she said aloud to herself.

It had always been a rule, but now more than ever it was one she needed to strictly follow. She had the impression, from both his repeated phone calls as well as the things she'd read about him, that Raith enjoyed playing games, and she had no intention of becoming just another pawn to the man. Surely he had enough women who filled that role in his life already.

Her door was open but she didn't have a clear view of the outer office room where Margaret was busy answering the phone and filing paperwork. Alexandra did however hear her greeting clearly and had trouble remaining in her seat long enough for her visitor to reach the door.

She'd seen pictures of him before but they didn't do the man justice. He was breathtakingly handsome and larger than life in a way that had absolutely nothing to do with actual size.

His head was shiny bald, her fingers tingled to touch it. His facial hair was a deep rich shade of brown and Alexandra couldn't help but wonder why he shaved his head and whether or not that hair would be the same color if he let it grow out.

"Alexandra Aimon?"

His words drew her out of the state of mute intrigue she'd found herself in. She quickly stood and moved around her desk until they were standing face to face. "Alexandra is fine, Mr. Alden." She thrust her hand forward in greeting then motioned to one of the cushioned chairs opposite her own. "Please have a seat. Would you like something to drink?"

The way he watched her was unnerving. His brows were furrowed deeply. It was as if he wasn't sure she was who she claimed to be. Alexandra couldn't help but wonder if he found her lacking. She wasn't the hoity-toity, silicone-inflated type, that was for sure, but she wasn't exactly an ugly duckling either.

"No, thank you."

"Okay then. We'll get started." She moved back behind her desk and once again took her seat.

The gleaming wood surface gave her a semblance of safety. It wasn't as if she feared for her wellbeing while in his presence, but he did make her uneasy. She could feel the sensation skitter down her spine to land like a rock in the pit of her stomach. It was nearly impossible to ignore the other feelings making themselves known, the ones that caused her nipples to peak and her sex to weep with joy at his nearness. Every inch of him was dangerous. There was no denying the fact.

Alexandra opened the folder lying front and center on her desk in hopes that getting back to work would take her mind off the man himself. In it were pictures and descriptions of properties for sale. Ones she thought might fit his needs. She turned the folder to face him then began regaling the specifications of each. When she finally looked up it was to find him looking at her and not the information she'd been addressing.

"Do any of them catch your interest, Mr. Alden?"

His lip kicked up at one corner giving him a rakish appearance which made her heart flip flop then skitter before once again settling on a rhythm much faster than normal for her.

"Please call me Raith, Alexandra." He said her name as if testing its weight on his tongue.

Her skin prickled with the need to escape. If she didn't need the business there was a good chance she might have turned him over to a colleague with more experience in business properties. But that wasn't the case so she was just going to have to keep her distance.

"Much has caught my interests, but right now we'll stick to business."