Caught Between My Ex And The Turner Twins

My Manhattan apartment is pitch black as I stumble through the door after another late night at the office. Kicking off my heels, I flick on a lamp, the warm light revealing the trademark mess I've been living in since Sam moved out six months ago. I really need to get my life together. At least the professional side is on track - I landed a huge marketing role at Omni-Tech right out of grad school. But personally? It's one disaster after another. Pouring myself a glass of wine, I recall the incident in the copy room today that's been replaying in my mind. I'd gone to make copies and nearly walked straight into a shirtless man's chest. Those sculpted abs... that devilish smile... "We really need to stop meeting like this, Stella." It was Sam, my ex-boyfriend and current co-worker, because the universe has one twisted sense of humor. His shirt was off because of a coffee spill, but the tight black slacks and loosened tie combo did little to dull his intoxicating effect on me. I'd turned on my heel, face flushed. "Then stop taking your clothes off at work, you shameless flirt." He chuckled deeply. "Admit it, you still want me." That arrogant confidence is one of the biggest things I can't stand about Sam...and also one of his most attractive qualities. Part of me misses the easy intimacy we once had. But he chose his career ambitions over me too many times. I deserve better. With a resigned sigh, I take my wine to the couch, kicking aside a pile of blankets and pillows. In happier times, these belonged neatly on the bed Sam and I shared. Now they're just sad evidence of how I've let everything lapse. My phone buzzes, a text from Chelsea: "Ladies night tomorrow?" I type back quickly: "Definitely need it, girl. Big day at the office ?" Chelsea is my go-to work wife and the best friend who helped rebuild my self-esteem after the brutal breakup with Sam. Ladies night usually involves trashy reality shows and guzzling the good stuff until we pass out. Just what I need to unplug. Tomorrow can't come soon enough. Today was a total dumpster fire and it hasn't even begun... I'd arrived at the glistening Omni-Tech tower early, iced coffee in hand and my favorite power suit on. The usual receptionists weren't at their desks, just a single new guy I didn't recognize. Tall, muscular build, with a face that belonged on a runway. He gave a dazzling smile when I approached. "Good morning! Stella Ricci, here for marketing." I held up my badge to scan but he just kept that charming grin locked on me. "No need, Ms. Ricci. Welcome back. I'm Tom and I'll be your guide this morning." Guide? I was taken aback as he boldly offered his arm like an old-fashioned gentleman. Still, something about those piercing blue eyes made me accept with a girlish giggle extremely uncharacteristic of my usual icy professionalism. Tom led me away from the elevator bay, down a side hallway I'd never noticed before. "W-where are we going?" "You'll see very soon," he murmured. We passed an unmarked door which he pulled open, gesturing me inside. It was dimly lit but I could make out plush couches and tinted windows. Tom shut the door behind us and suddenly we were alone in what seemed like...some sort of lounge? I opened my mouth to demand answers but Tom silenced me by pressing a finger to my lips. "Relax, beautiful. Everything is going to be just fine." His other hand trailed down my hip as he leaned in closer. "More than fine..." Adrenaline surged through me as his skilled fingers worked to unbutton my blazer. Part of me was utterly transfixed by this mysteriously sensual man. But the rational side knew this was insane and had to get out immediately. Tom must have seen the fleeting panic cross my face. "Hey now..." He gripped my chin firmly, forcing me to meet that searing blue-eyed gaze. "You don't get a catch like me hitting on you every day. I'd rethink walking away if I were you." My chest was heaving, breath hot and ragged between parted lips. He was right - guys like this don't pursue a workaholic like me. Sam used to make the same argument before things went sour. Part of me craved feeling desired and wanted again. Leaning into Tom's touch despite my better judgment, I started to give in. Then a loud knocking made us both jump apart. "Everything okay in there?" a gruff male voice called out. Tom scowled at the interruption. "Maybe next time then, gorgeous." He straightened his tie and strode over, pulling open the lounge door to reveal...Sam standing there in a finely tailored navy suit. * My jaw dropped seeing my ex standing there, clearly fuming. "What the hell is going on?" Sam glared at Tom, his hands clenched into fists. "I could ask you the same thing. Who are you and what were you doing with Stella?" Tom gave an infuriatingly casual shrug. "I was just getting acquainted with the beautiful Ms. Ricci here. Though I have to admit, I'm surprised she's available." Sam took a threatening step forward. "She's not available, you schmuck. Stella is my girlfriend." "Ex-girlfriend," I corrected sharply, recovering from the initial shock. "And I can speak for myself, thanks." Straightening my blazer, I tried to regain some poise and professionalism despite my tousled appearance. Tom shot me a wink, seemingly unbothered by the whole scenario. Sam, on the other hand, looked like he might actually swing at the cocky stranger. Before I could further defuse the tension, a third man emerged from around the corner. He was practically a carbon copy of Tom - same chiseled jawline, penetrating blue eyes, and fit physique that radiated masculine power. The only difference seemed to be his slightly shorter haircut. "Everything okay over here?" the new arrival asked in a smooth baritone. He took in the scene before him - me looking flustered, Sam seething, and Tom leaning against the doorframe looking mighty pleased with himself. The mystery man's brow furrowed as the pieces started coming together. "Wait...you didn't actually try to..." He turned an accusatory glare on Tom. Tom threw his hands up defensively. "Hey, I was just having a friendly chat! Scout's honor." "We were NOT just chatting," I cut in, finding my voice again. "He brought me into that weird back room and started undressing me!" The identical man's eyes went wide, then narrowed in Tom's direction. "You pig. I should've known you'd pull a stunt like this." "Like you're so innocent, Lucas." Tom sneered back. Lucas? So this was Tom's twin brother. I'd heard the rumors about a pair of heartstoppers working at Omni-Tech, but never actually encountered them myself until now. Though I definitely wished our introduction had gone differently! Sam looked just as dumbfounded, shooting me a questioning glance. I merely shrugged, at a total loss myself. This whole morning had devolved into a ridiculous farce straight out of some cheesy rom-com. Lucas turned his attention toward me, expression softening. "I am so sorry about my lech of a brother, Ms...?" "Ricci. Stella Ricci," I replied, unable to stop drinking in every rugged detail of the newest addition. With an apologetic smile, Lucas took my hand and brought it to his lips for a gentle kiss. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Stella. Truly." Sam audibly scoffed at the overly gallant move. "Can you two jackasses quit hitting on my girl for five seconds?" I opened my mouth to protest the "my girl" comment, but Lucas beat me to it. "From the looks of this whole situation, she's very much open to being hit on," he remarked dryly. "But don't worry, I'll keep Tommy here on a leash going forward." Tom rolled his eyes dramatically. "Like you're some beacon of self-restraint and decency." The bickering between the brothers continued, with Sam occasionally trying to corral the conversation back to me. I just watched the whole absurd display with a mixture of bewilderment, annoyance, and I'll admit, no small degree of attraction as well. These guys were clearly nightmares, but they were nightmares in the most deliciously sexy package imaginable. Finally, I'd had more than enough. "All right, that's it! This is a serious place of business, in case you elitist pigs forgot. I have more important things to do today than babysit horndogs hitting on their coworkers." The triple dose of shame had pulled them up short. Even Tom's signature smirk had faded against my scalding tone. Part of me relished watching those perfect jaws hang open, completely stunned into silence. With a haughty toss of my hair, I turned on my heel and stormed off towards the marketing department. "Don't follow me. In fact, don't look at me or speak to me for the rest of the day. I need to do my actual job." And with that final zinger, I was gone, leaving the three handsome men gaping in my wake. Let them untangle their oversized egos and fragile masculinity - Stella Ricci doesn't have time for that childish BS. Of course, that was the plan anyway. But the hallway was unusually quiet and empty, with no sign of the bustling office this place normally was. An uneasy feeling started creeping over me that something wasn't quite right here...