His Secret Kiss

Chapter Two – The Man Behind the Mask

The elevator doors slid open and the world outside felt colder somehow even though the air was still the same I stepped out my pulse still wild my mind trying to understand what had just happened I told myself it was nothing that he was my boss that men like Austin Cole didn’t look at girls like me that way but my heart refused to listen it kept replaying the way his fingers had grazed my skin the way his voice had sounded when he said my name soft like sin whispered in the dark

Sleep refused to come that night I tossed and turned staring at the ceiling the echo of his eyes haunting me every time I blinked I tried to convince myself it was just attraction a passing thing but it felt too heavy too real like something that was meant to destroy me

The next morning I arrived early though I didn’t know why maybe I just wanted to see him again maybe I wanted to prove to myself that last night didn’t mean anything the office was silent the city still waking up I made coffee for the staff then for him my hands trembling as I set the cup on his desk I told myself I didn’t care but my heart was already betraying me

He came in minutes later tall confident his scent filling the room before he spoke good morning Miss Lane his tone polite detached as always good morning sir I said keeping my eyes down pretending not to notice the way his voice wrapped around my name he nodded and sat his focus sharp on the screen as if I wasn’t even there

But I could feel it that unspoken thing between us it lived in the space between his words in the silence that followed them every time he walked past me my breath caught my pulse quickened and I hated that he had that kind of power over me

Hours passed and I tried to focus on work but his presence was a constant weight then around noon he called me into the conference room his voice steady bring me the investor file please

I walked in he was alone his jacket off his sleeves rolled his tie loosened his eyes darker than usual I set the file on the table thank you he said but didn’t look away stay for a moment I want to discuss something

I froze my voice small yes sir he leaned back studying me his expression unreadable you’ve been avoiding me I forced a nervous smile no sir just busy he tilted his head not what I meant

He stood his steps slow deliberate until he was close enough for me to feel his breath on my skin his eyes locked on mine you remember that night don’t you Vera I felt my stomach twist I don’t know what you mean I whispered

He smiled faintly a dangerous kind of smile you do he said quietly you ran before I could explain and I thought that was for the best but seeing you here every day makes it impossible to forget

My chest tightened my thoughts tangled what are you talking about Austin his name slipped out before I could stop it his jaw flexed when I said it his gaze flickered to my lips then back to my eyes you shouldn’t say my name like that he murmured

Before I could answer the door opened one of the assistants walked in Mr Cole the investors are waiting he turned instantly his mask sliding back on his voice calm again I’ll be right there he said then looked at me without emotion you may go Miss Lane

I left quickly trying to catch my breath my hands shaking I didn’t stop until I reached my desk I tried to focus but all I could think about was the look in his eyes that moment before the door opened the way my name had sounded from his lips

By evening the office emptied out one by one until it was just me the hum of the city outside and the faint ticking of the clock I gathered my things ready to leave when I noticed a folded note under my keyboard my heart stuttered as I opened it

You shouldn’t trust everything you see Vera some names are meant to stay hidden

I looked around but the office was empty the only sound was the wind brushing against the glass I stepped closer to the window the city lights stretching endlessly below me like a sea of secrets and I realized then that whatever Austin Cole was hiding I was already part of it

Somehow I had stepped into a story that wasn’t mine and I didn’t know if I wanted to escape or sink deeper into it

Because even as danger whispered in my ear all I could think about was his touch and the way my name sounded like a promise from his lips

And deep down I knew this was only the beginning

That night the rain returned soft against the glass like a secret it wanted to tell I sat on my bed staring at the note over and over the letters beginning to blur my thoughts spinning faster than the storm outside I told myself I should forget it that Austin’s life wasn’t mine to understand but something inside me refused to let go I wanted to know who he really was what he was hiding behind those cold eyes and that calm voice

The next morning I walked into the office determined to act normal but the moment I saw him my resolve shattered he stood by the window again his suit dark his gaze distant the sunlight catching the edge of his jaw like gold he turned when I entered his expression unreadable good morning Miss Lane his voice smooth like nothing had ever happened

Good morning sir I managed to whisper though my throat felt dry he studied me for a moment longer than necessary before looking away I’ll be out for a meeting this afternoon handle the reports he said and before I could respond he was already gone leaving behind his scent and a trail of questions I couldn’t answer

Hours passed slow and heavy I tried to lose myself in work but my mind kept replaying his words his touch the note I almost didn’t notice when my phone buzzed a message unknown number Meet me on the rooftop at seven don’t tell anyone

My heart stilled the only person who could send that was him I waited until the office emptied again then took the stairs to the rooftop the city lights spread below like a thousand burning stars he was already there standing near the edge the wind tugging at his shirt his eyes finding mine immediately

You came he said I almost didn’t my voice barely a whisper his gaze softened for the first time since I met him maybe you should have

I took a step closer why did you ask me here Austin he looked away his jaw tight because I need you to stop looking at me like you know me Vera because you don’t

Then tell me I said tell me who you really are silence stretched between us heavy like the night his hand ran through his hair frustration flashing across his face finally he said quietly I’m not who you think I am I never was

I frowned I don’t understand he turned his eyes dark and hollow you weren’t supposed to be here not in this company not in my world

My world I repeated confused he moved closer until we were inches apart you’re in danger Vera the people I work with they’re not who they pretend to be neither am I

My pulse thudded hard against my chest then who are you his lips parted but instead of an answer he said something that made my breath hitch forget you met me Vera walk away while you still can

He turned to leave but I grabbed his wrist please Austin just tell me he stopped looked down at my hand on his skin then breaking apart slowly painfully if I tell you he said softly you’ll never be safe again

Before I could reply he leaned forward his breath warm against my ear his voice barely a whisper I’ve already risked too much for you and then he kissed me

It wasn’t gentle it was desperate the taste of rain and danger between us his forehead against mine his voice rough you should hate me for this

But I couldn’t stop every part of me burned for him even knowing it was wrong he stepped back cold again forget this happened he said and vanished leaving me with his kiss and the truth that nothing would ever be the same