Falling For The Enemy

CHAPTER4

The office air felt heavier than usual. Maybe it was just me.

I kept my head low as I walked past the front desk. My shoes tapped too loud on the floors. I

just felt uneasy knowing that he was somewhere in the building.

The kiss meant nothing to him. It was just a mistake. Just one fleeting, stupid moment. He

probably didn't even think about it after I left.

But I did.

“Elora.” Someone called. I flinched. But it wasn't him. I was just Tessa from the HR, holding a file

towards me. “Mr Cortez asked for this to be delivered to his office. He's expecting it.”

Of course he was.

I nodded quickly, took the folder, and swallowed the panic rising in my throat. I wasn't going to

make this awkward. I'd hand it over, say nothing, and leave.

I'll keep it distant and professional.

I reached his office and knocked once.

“Come in.”

His voice..

I opened the door. There he was at his desk, shirt sleeves rolled, collar open just enough to be

distracting. His eyes met mine. Something flickered. But I looked away immediately.

“You asked for this.” I said, placing the folder on his desk. My voice was even cold. Maybe.

He didn't respond right away. Just studied me.

“Elora.”

I froze.

“About last night..”

“ There's nothing to talk about.”

I cut in, too fast. “It was a mistake. It won't happen again.”

A pause. His eyes narrowed slightly, but not in anger. Something else.

“Understood,” he said quietly.

I turned to leave, gripping the door handle harder than necessary. And still as I walked away, I

could feel his eyes on my back.

The door clicked shut behind her, but the echo stayed behind along with the scent of something

pure and sweet.

A mistake. That's what she called it.

I leaned back in my chair, jaw tight, staring at the folder she'd dropped on my desk like it had

personally offended her.

It wasn't just about the kiss. It was the way she looked at me now. Like I was something she

needed to escape.

I swore under my breath and stood, pacing to the window. How come she had so much effect on

me?

I wasn't supposed to care. She was just my assistant. The daughter of my cleaner. Another

employee.

But I couldn't just forget how her lips had felt. The way she looked at me when she thought I

wasn't watching. The way I couldn't stop watching her.

I want her..

I turned towards my desk, but I couldn't still feel his eyes on me. The air between us was taut,

like a stretched string, ready to snap.

As I sat down, my fingers trembled slightly against the keyboard. I didn't even know what I was

typing. I had to look busy, keep my head down and avoid his gaze.

I was halfway through typing a report when he called me in.

“Miss Elora stepped into my office.”

My stomach flipped.

I stood, smoothed my skirt, and tried not to look like my heart was about to beat out of my chest.

The hallway stretched endlessly as I made my way to his office. I finally reached it.

I knocked.

“Come in.” His voice was sharp but low.

He was by the window, staring out at the skyline like it had wronged him. When he turned, his

eyes didn't hold their usual storm. They were softer. Conflicted.

“I shouldn't have kissed you.” He said.

My chest tightened. “Right.”

He stepped closer. “I'm sorry.”

I blinked.

“I'm sorry I made you feel that way. I didn't either, but I can't stop thinking about it…. about you.”

Another step.

The air became hot and heavy and my mind became like a fog. I took a few steps back to get

away from his intoxicating presence. I needed to regain my ability to think straight.

He then moved closer, crossing the distance between us.

His hand found my cheek, thumb brushing lightly, like he was afraid I'd disappear.

“Elora..”

I tried to stop everything. But I couldn't. Or maybe I didn't want to.

I could feel his warm breath on my face. I was too attracted to him. I just couldn't help it.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him down, crushing his lips on mine.

He raised his arm and grabbed a handful of my hair and tilted her head back slightly. Then he

took charge, kissing me slowly, teasing, trying to teach my lips how to move. My lips quivered

slightly, but then slowly adapted to his movement until our lips moved well. It was slow,

searching, like we both needed to be sure.

He ran his fingers down my spine, pulling me so close until no space was left between us, then

his fingers traveled back up my spine and entangled themselves in my hair.

This time he pulled me closer, adding more pressure to our lips.

My knees grew weak from the pleasure and I felt as if my heart was going to explode. I never

imagined that just kissing someone could be this intense.

When we pulled apart my breath hitched. Just about to speak I caught the sight of two people

walking towards his office.

Damien upon realizing the situation cleared his throat. “ Have dinner with me tonight, after

work.”

I nodded before I could stop myself and left the office.

The restaurant was the kind I'd only ever passed by. Glass walls, candle lights, waiters in suits.

Damien held the door for me, his hand lingering at the small of my back. I couldn't tell if it

steadied me or made me more nervous.

The restaurant was very empty. I wondered why.

We barely touched our food. His eyes stayed on me like he was memorizing the way I breathed.

I looked down at my water glass and muttered, “This feels unreal.”

“Because it is.” He said. “You're not like anyone I've met.”

A part of me wanted to ask how many people he'd met. Instead, I smiled. “You say that now.”

He smirked.

“My Dad used to love this place.” I said. “He always wanted to bring me and Mom here.”

“Your dad?” Damien asked, his expression shifting.

“Yeah…he passed away years ago. I've told you before. He….he owed people money.”

He stiffened slightly. “What was his name?”

“Casmero Crest.”

Silence.

“You okay?” I asked.

He smiled tight, unreadable. “Yeah…just.. that name sounds familiar.”

I didn't push.

“Elora about what happened at the office,”

“It's fine Damien, I just couldn't control myself.” I cut in. “We can just forget about it if you want,

I'll understand.” I said hoping that he wouldn't listen to me. I didn't want to forget about what

happened.

“But I don't want to forget about Elora.” He said in a low voice.

I swallowed. “I don't understand.”

His lips barely. “I don't want to forget about it. In fact I want more…I can't forget anything about

it.” He said.

I didn't answer. I couldn't. I didn't know what to say.

He leaned in. His lips found mine.

Warm. Controlled.

I melted.

My fingers curled into his shirt as the kiss deepened, slow but intense. He didn't rush. He didn't

dominate. He felt. And I kissed him back like I'd been holding my breath all night.

When we finally pulled apart, the air between us was different. Unstable.

I stared at him.

He stared back with those dark eyes.

“You okay?” He asked.

I smiled. “Yeah I am.”

“Can we do this again?” He asked.

“Do what?”

He chuckled slowly. It made me feel good.

“Have dinner together.” He responded.

“Yeah we can. Although we didn't touch our food.” I said smiling.

A throaty chuckle left his lips as he looked at me with amusement.

“Maybe next time we'll try to touch our food.” He sexily said to me.

I stared with what seemed like joy.

He then took my hands in his and kissed it. “Everything will be fine.”

He walked me to the car, opened the door and paused.

“I'll see you tomorrow?”

“Yeah.” I whispered. “Yeah you will.”

After some minutes, the car finally stopped in front of the apartment.

I walked in with happiness. I made sure I told Leah that I was eating outside with Damien.

“Are you telling me Damien freaking took you to dinner?” Leah shrieked the second I stepped

into our apartment.

I dropped my shoes and flopped onto the couch with a sigh. “You're too loud.”

She narrowed her eyes, arms folded.

“You're glowing with joy, don't even try to act normal.”

I gave a soft laugh with my fingers tracing the edge of the cushion.

“We kissed.”

Her mouth dropped. “And?”

“And it was so wonderful, Leah it was intense. It felt like…like..”

“Like sex.” She screamed with joy and what seemed like impatience.

My face immediately burned red.

“Uhm.. have you two already gone that far?” Leah said to me surprised.

I shook my head.

“You haven't.. Elora are you sure? She asked sexily.

“Leah I'm sure.” I said with a smile.

“We just had dinner.” I added, still smiling.

“I'm so happy for you.. I think you've found the right guy. The heavens finally gave you a guy to

make you happy.” Leah said as she hugged me tightly.

“Leah, I think I'll talk to mom and tell her everything.” I said.

“Yeah I think you should.” Leah responded in agreement as she reached out for my hands.

“Elora…are you falling in love with him?”

I hesitated.

Then I whispered, “I think I already have.”