Chapter 10
799 Words
The tension in the breakroom still clung to my skin like a charged current as I made my way back to my desk. My heart was racing, my body warm from the intensity of being caught between Lucas and Cassian. Every brush of their words, their eyes on me, sent a thrill down my spine, and I struggled to focus as I sat down.
Lucas had barely taken his eyes off me since I returned. The way he leaned back in his chair, arms crossed over his chest, a small smirk playing on his lips – it told me he was still thinking about our exchange. And Cassian? I could still feel his presence lingering in the air, his golden eyes burning through my resolve.
I exhaled sharply, shaking my head as I stared at my screen. Get it together, Eloise. Work first. Hormones later.
But my body betrayed me. Every time I shifted in my chair, the memory of Lucas’s teasing gaze and Cassian’s deep voice came rushing back. The possessiveness in the way they spoke to me. The way they addressed each other, like they’ve known each other for years. The way my pulse had pounded under their attention. I squeezed my thighs together and groaned under my breath. This was ridiculous.
A message popped up on my screen. Lucas.
Lucas: You look distracted. Need help focusing?
I bit my lip, glancing across the room at him. He was watching me, one eyebrow raised, clearly enjoying how flustered I was.
Me: I’m fine. Just… thinking.
Lucas: Thinking about what?
I hesitated before typing. Me: Lunch.
His smirk deepened. Lucas: Liar.
Heat prickled at my skin. I refused to take the bait. But then, another message came in – one that made my stomach tighten.
Cassian: Don’t work too hard, Eloise. We wouldn’t want you exhausting yourself before tomorrow.
I sucked in a sharp breath. Tomorrow? What does he mean by that? Better yet… How did he even get my work chat? I glanced toward Lucas, but he was no longer looking at me. His expression had darkened slightly, his jaw tight.
Was Cassian watching me too? Did he know how they were affecting me?
The rest of the afternoon dragged. Every glance from Lucas, every thought of Cassian, left me restless. I needed air. A distraction. Something to break the growing heat pooling inside me.
As the end of the workday approached, Lucas appeared by my desk. “Hey.”
I blinked up at him, trying to appear normal. “Hey.”
He leaned down slightly, voice lower than necessary. “Come have a drink with me again.”
I hesitated. “With the team?”
“No.” His gray eyes held mine, unreadable but intense. “Just you and me.”
That was… unexpected. Lucas had always been friendly, teasing, but this? This felt different. More deliberate. Two nights in a row?
As if he was claiming his space before someone else could take it.
I swallowed, my lips suddenly dry. “Okay.”
A slow, knowing smile spread across his face. “Good.”
Before I could respond, he reached out, his fingers brushing against the back of my hand as I moved to gather my things. The touch was fleeting but sent a shiver up my arm. He noticed. His smirk grew. “You always this jumpy, or is it just me?”
I narrowed my eyes, attempting to glare at him, but the heat rising in my cheeks gave me away. “You wish.”
He leaned in just a fraction more, his breath warm against my ear. “Oh, I know.”
My entire body tensed at the way his voice dipped lower, the sensual promise in his tone. The way his fingers grazed my wrist before he pulled away, like he knew exactly what he was doing to me.
The air between us crackled, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe. I wanted to say something snarky, something to push back against the cocky confidence radiating from him, but my mind blanked.
Lucas let out a soft chuckle, clearly satisfied with my reaction. “I’ll see you outside.”
As he walked away, I released the breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. My heart was pounding, my skin burning from his proximity. I barely had time to compose myself before my phone buzzed again.
A message from an unknown number.
Unknown: You’re making interesting choices, Eloise.
I stared at it, my stomach twisting. And then, just as I thought of deleting it, another message arrived.
Unknown: I hope you enjoy your drink.
I looked up, heart pounding. Across the office, Cassian was standing by the elevators, watching me with a smirk just barely curving his lips.
Shit.
- Writer
