His Forbidden Touch

Chapter 13 : Guilt and Denial

Elena’s reflection in the bathroom mirror didn’t lie.

Her lips were still flushed, swollen from Adrian’s kiss.

Her eyes wide, restless, haunted betrayed her more than words ever could.

She gripped the edge of the sink, breathing unevenly, trying to drown out the echo of his voice, the taste of his mouth, the way her body had melted into his without hesitation.

What have I done?

It wasn’t supposed to happen. It couldn’t happen. And yet, in that moment, with his hands in her hair and his lips claiming hers like he owned her, she hadn’t thought of consequences. She hadn’t thought of Daniel.

Daniel.

Her chest tightened painfully at the thought of him his kindness, his loyalty, his love. The way he smiled at her every morning, the way he trusted her without question.

And she… she had betrayed him.

Tears pricked her eyes, but she blinked them back. She couldn’t cry here, not in the middle of the office. Not where anyone could see.

She splashed cold water on her face, forcing her breathing to steady, forcing her expression back into something resembling composure.

By the time she walked back to her desk, her mask was in place. She buried herself in work, eyes glued to the screen, hands moving mechanically. She didn’t dare glance toward Adrian’s office, didn’t dare let her mind wander.

But denial was fragile.

Because every time her fingers brushed her lips, she felt it again the heat of his mouth, the hunger in his kiss.

And late that afternoon, when she caught him watching her from across the room, his eyes dark and unreadable, her pulse betrayed her, racing out of control.

She dropped her gaze instantly, pretending not to notice, pretending not to feel the burn of his stare. Pretending.

That evening, Daniel picked her up after work.

He smiled the moment she slid into the passenger seat, leaning over to press a gentle kiss to her temple. “You look tired, sweetheart. Long day?”

Elena forced a smile, her throat tightening. “Yeah. Just… a lot of paperwork.”

He reached over, lacing his fingers with hers as he drove. His hand was warm, familiar, steady.

She should have felt safe. She should have felt comfort.

But instead, guilt twisted inside her, sharp and merciless. Because no matter how tightly she held his hand, her body remembered another man’s touch.

That night, as Daniel slept peacefully beside her, Elena lay awake staring at the ceiling, every nerve in her body restless, aching.

Her lips still tingled from Adrian’s kiss.

Her mind replayed it over and over, punishing her with memories that refused to fade.

She hated herself for it.

And yet… in the darkness, with guilt burning her chest and temptation clawing at her veins, one truth became clear

She wanted more.

No matter how wrong, no matter how forbidden, no matter how much it broke her

She craved Adrian Blackwell.