Hidden moments
1025 Words
Kissing Ethan Sinclair was a mistake.
A huge mistake.
A reckless, career-destroying, emotionally dangerous mistake.
At least that’s what Naomi Blake kept telling herself the next morning while standing in front of her bathroom mirror.
Unfortunately…
Her reflection looked entirely unconvinced.
Naomi groaned dramatically and covered her face.
This was bad.
Very, very bad.
Because instead of regretting the kiss, all she could think about was the way Ethan had looked at her afterward.
Soft.
Unprotected.
Like she mattered to him in a way that terrified both of them.
And somehow, that scared Naomi more than the kiss itself.
By the time she arrived at Sinclair Group, Naomi had prepared an entire emotional survival plan.
Step one: avoid Ethan.
Step two: remain professional.
Step three: absolutely do not think about kissing him again.
Simple.
Reasonable.
Completely impossible.
The second the elevator doors opened onto the executive floor, Naomi saw Ethan standing near Vivian’s desk discussing something with two board members.
He looked calm and perfectly professional in his dark suit.
But the moment his eyes met hers across the room, something shifted instantly.
A look.
Brief.
Intense.
Private.
Naomi’s heartbeat betrayed her immediately.
Great.
Fantastic start.
Ethan returned his attention to the conversation without reacting outwardly, but Naomi noticed the tiny change in his expression.
The almost-smile.
God help her.
“You’re blushing.”
Naomi nearly dropped her coffee.
Vivian Reed stood beside her holding a tablet with the expression of someone who had already figured out everything.
“I’m not blushing.”
“You are.”
“It’s hot in here.”
Vivian looked around the freezing executive floor. “Sure.”
Naomi sighed dramatically.
Vivian lowered her voice slightly. “Whatever is happening between you and Ethan…”
Naomi immediately panicked. “Nothing is happening.”
“That was a very guilty response.”
Naomi opened her mouth.
Closed it again.
Exactly.
Vivian studied her carefully before sighing quietly. “Just be careful.”
The seriousness in her tone erased Naomi’s embarrassment instantly.
“People are already suspicious,” Vivian continued. “And if the board notices something inappropriate…”
She didn’t finish the sentence.
She didn’t need to.
Naomi understood perfectly.
This could destroy both of them.
Especially her.
The day became emotionally exhausting after that.
Every interaction with Ethan felt dangerous now.
At meetings, his gaze found hers too easily.
In elevators, silence between them became painfully charged.
Even simple conversations sounded different after the kiss.
More intimate somehow.
And the worst part?
Ethan looked just as affected as she felt.
Around 7 p.m., most employees had already gone home again when Naomi finally finished organizing reports for the next morning.
She grabbed her bag quickly, determined to leave before another emotionally catastrophic moment happened.
“Naomi.”
Too late.
She turned slowly to find Ethan standing outside his office.
His tie was loosened slightly again a detail Naomi was beginning to associate with danger.
“Yes?”
Ethan glanced toward the empty office floor before speaking quietly.
“Come with me.”
Her pulse immediately quickened.
“Where?”
“You ask too many questions.”
“That’s not an answer.”
A tiny smile appeared briefly on his face. “I know.”
Against her better judgment, Naomi followed him.
Ethan led her toward a private balcony connected to the executive floor — a place Naomi had never seen before.
The city stretched endlessly below them, glowing with lights beneath the dark evening sky. Cool wind brushed against her skin as rain clouds moved slowly overhead.
For a moment, everything felt strangely peaceful.
Naomi leaned lightly against the railing. “This place is beautiful.”
“I come here when the office becomes unbearable.”
“You mean every day?”
Ethan laughed softly under his breath.
The sound still surprised her every time.
They stood quietly beside each other for a few moments before Ethan finally spoke again.
“You’ve been avoiding me all day.”
Naomi stared out at the city lights. “I’m trying to be smart.”
“And is it working?”
“…No.”
Ethan moved slightly closer.
Not enough to touch her.
Enough to make her aware of him anyway.
“You regret last night?” he asked quietly.
Naomi looked up immediately.
The question sounded calmer than it should have.
But she noticed the tension hidden beneath it.
Like he genuinely cared about her answer.
And that realization made something soften painfully inside her chest.
“No,” she admitted honestly.
Ethan’s shoulders relaxed slightly.
“But I’m scared of where this leads,” she continued softly.
This time, Ethan looked away first.
For the first time since meeting him, Naomi saw uncertainty in him.
Real uncertainty.
“I don’t know either,” he admitted.
The honesty surprised her.
A powerful CEO admitting uncertainty felt strangely intimate.
Naomi smiled faintly. “That’s terrifying.”
“Agreed.”
They both laughed quietly.
Then silence returned again.
But softer now.
Warmer.
Ethan looked at her carefully afterward, like he was memorizing something.
“You make me forget things,” he said suddenly.
Naomi blinked. “What things?”
“How exhausting my life usually is.”
The quiet confession stole her breath completely.
Before she could respond, Ethan stepped closer again.
Close enough to touch.
Close enough to ruin her remaining self-control.
This kiss felt different from the first one.
Slower.
More intentional.
No overwhelming tension this time.
Just warmth.
Careful affection.
Naomi melted into him instinctively, one hand gripping his jacket softly while Ethan held her waist gently like something precious.
For one impossible moment, the world outside disappeared completely.
No company.
No gossip.
No risks.
Just them.
Then suddenly
A phone notification buzzed loudly in Naomi’s bag.
Both of them pulled apart immediately.
Reality returned far too quickly.
Naomi grabbed her phone awkwardly before freezing at the message on her screen.
Unknown Number:
Careful, Naomi. Offices have cameras.
Her blood ran cold instantly.
Ethan noticed her expression immediately.
“What happened?”
Naomi slowly showed him the message.
And for the second time, she watched real anger darken Ethan Sinclair’s face.
- Writer
