Three Suitors: One Dream Man

Ember Shaw’s POV Who opened the door? That was my first thought when the door to my office creaked open. I was standing by my desk, fingers resting against the smooth, polished wood. Everything was in place books arranged neatly, pens aligned, the quiet order I always needed to think. On a normal day, I would have turned immediately. But I didn’t, I don’t know why. Or maybe I do… and I just don’t want to admit it. His footsteps was slow , measured, confident and masculine, office shoes. Each step felt deliberate, like he wasn’t in a hurry… like he knew exactly where he was going. Like he knew I was here. My fingers tightened slightly against the desk. Turn around, Ember, just turn, but I didn’t. Because something about the moment felt… fragile. Like if I moved too quickly, whatever this was would disappear or worse, reveal itself, he got closer, too close, close enough that I could feel the warmth of his presence behind me. My breath caught before I could stop it. Why am I reacting like this? I don’t even know who he is, I wanted to turn, I really did. But something held me still, then... His hand rested on my shoulder. My eyes dropped to it immediately. Clean fingers, steady and controlled the sleeve of his shirt was slightly undone beneath what looked like a suit. Simple detail… but somehow it told me everything. This man was not careless, my heart began to pound. Then his other hand moved to my waist. My breath stopped completely too close, this too close, I should move, I should say something, I should stop this, but I didn't. Before I could gather a single thought, his chin rested lightly on my left shoulder, his breath brushed against my skin warm, slow, deliberate, enough to make me gasp, and that’s when it hit me, I wasn’t afraid, I was aware, of him, of myself, of everything, then he spoke “Close your eyes,” my heart skipped. I shouldn’t have listened, I shouldn’t have obeyed a stranger standing behind me like he had every right to touch me. But I did, because a part of me wanted to know what would happen next. Darkness fell behind my eyelids. And somehow… it made everything feel sharper, more intense, he turned me gently, I didn’t resist, didn’t question it , didn’t open my eyes then suddenly... I was lifted, effortlessly, like I weighed nothing. A small gasp escaped my lips as he placed me on the edge of my desk. I heard books and pens scatter to the floor, but I didn’t care, I should have cared, this was my office, my space, my rules, so why did it feel like I had none? I could have gotten angry, could have pushed him away, could have opened my eyes and ended whatever this was, but I didn’t. Maybe…because I didn’t want it to end, his hand slipped slowly under my top, not rushed not desperate, just… exploring. Like he was taking his time memorizing me, my breath grew uneven. His lips brushed against my neck, soft, slow, intentional. My body betrayed me completely, I wanted him, the realization hit me so suddenly it almost scared me, I pulled him closer without thinking, my hands pressing against his back...firm, solid, real too real. Then he lifted my chin, very gently, patiently, like he knew I would follow and I did without hesitation, his finger traced my lips slowly and that small touch sent a wave through me that I couldn’t control, my body wasn’t calm anymore not even close, I leaned in waiting, wanting, needing a kiss, just one. Silence. I was still waiting... “Miss Ember Shaw, can I come in?” My eyes flew open, reality hit me all at once, I was at my desk, seating alone everything was exactly how I left it, neat and untouched. My chest rose sharply as I tried to catch my breath, my heart was still racing too fast, too real. “Oh wow…” I whispered, running a hand through my hair. “That was a dream.” But it didn’t feel like one. Not completely. “Come in,” I said, forcing my voice steady. Helena stepped inside. “Miss Ember, tonight’s New York Dish Contest ... preparations are ongoing, but I think you should inspect the kitchen yourself.” “I’ll be there soon.” She nodded and left. I stood there for a moment longer trying to ground myself trying to shake it off enough fantasizing, Ember, reality was waiting, I walked out of my office, heels clicking softly against the floor, focused, composed, in control, just like always, but even as I moved through the hallway… I could still feel it, the warmth, the touch, the way my body had responded and somehow… That was the part that unsettled me the most. Because it didn’t feel like just a dream. It felt like a memory. Of something that hadn’t happened yet.