Chapter 5: Temptation & Desires
878 Words
Lily woke up feeling surprisingly refreshed the next morning. She stretched lazily, enjoying the rare moment of peace before getting ready. By the time she stepped out of her room, Ethan was already there, leaning casually against the wall near her door, arms crossed, eyes sharp.
"What took you so long?" he asked, his voice low and smooth.
She jumped, startled by his presence, and nearly lost her balance. Before she could stumble, his strong arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her close.
Her breath hitched.
Too close.
The warmth of his body, the way his fingers pressed against her lower back, it sent her mind racing. And damn it, why was her face getting hot?
She swallowed hard, forcing herself to ignore the wild thoughts creeping into her head.
"Let go," she muttered, shifting uncomfortably.
Ethan smirked but loosened his hold, though his eyes stayed locked on hers.
"Try not to daydream too much," he teased before stepping back.
Lily scowled, brushing past him. Arrogant bastard.
By the afternoon, she was buried in work, flipping through reports at her desk when a thick folder was suddenly slammed in front of her.
Ashley, one of her office rivals, stood over her with a smug look.
"Deliver this to one of our clients," she ordered.
Lily didn’t argue. She simply grabbed the folder and headed out, refusing to give Ashley the satisfaction of a reaction.
Outside, the sky had darkened. She barely had time to hail a cab before the rain started pouring.
"Seriously?" she grumbled, pulling her coat tighter around her body.
Her phone rang just as she was hurrying toward the car. She fished it out, answering without checking the caller ID.
"Lily, what took you so long? Mr. Fuentes has been waiting!"
Ashley’s voice, sharp and irritated, made her stop in her tracks.
Fuentes?
A slow smirk tugged at Lily’s lips.
When she arrived at the restaurant, Mr. Fuentes was already there, seated in the private lounge. His sharp eyes roamed over her like a predator sizing up its prey.
"Mr. Fuentes, I'm Lily. I'm here to deliver the contract from Rivera Corp.," she said, handing him the folder.
He barely glanced at it, his smirk widening.
"What's the rush, honey? Sit, have a few drinks with me while my assistant checks it," he said smoothly, pouring her a glass of wine.
Lily hesitated. Everything about him screamed danger. But declining outright might make things worse. So, she sat, keeping her guard up.
She lifted the glass, pretending to take a sip, but something was off. The faint scent, the way the liquid clung to the glass… Drugged.
Her fingers tightened around the stem.
Before she could pull out her phone, Mr. Fuentes grabbed it from her hand and leaned in, his breath reeking of expensive liquor.
"Now, now… no distractions," he murmured, inching closer, his fingers brushing against her wrist.
Her pulse spiked.
Then....
BANG!
The doors swung open violently, the sharp crack of impact making the whole room freeze.
Ethan strode in, his eyes dark and murderous.
Mr. Fuentes paled.
"Mr. Rivera, w-what are you doing here?" he stammered.
Ethan didn’t answer. Instead, his fist connected with Fuentes’ jaw, sending the man sprawling to the floor.
"How dare you lay hands on her? Are you tired of living?" Ethan growled, his voice a dangerous rasp.
He pulled Fuentes up by the collar, ready to hit him again, but Lily grabbed Ethan’s suit.
"Take me away," she whispered, her voice shaky, her body suddenly burning up.
Ethan’s sharp gaze flicked to her. Something was wrong.
He turned to his assistant, Aron.
"Handle him," he ordered coldly.
Shrugging off his blazer, he draped it over Lily’s shoulders, then pulled her into his arms and led her out.
Inside the car, Lily’s breathing was uneven. Heat crawled over her skin, making her fidget. Her fingers clutched Ethan’s tie before he could start the engine.
And then, she kissed him.
Ethan froze.
Her lips were urgent, desperate, moving against his with a hunger that sent his pulse racing.
"Lily...." he started, trying to pull back.
"I need you," she whispered, her voice laced with something raw and unrestrained.
Ethan cursed under his breath, gripping her shoulders.
"Lily, you don’t know what you’re doing," he said, his voice strained, his control slipping.
Her lips trailed down his jaw, her breath hot against his skin.
"I know exactly what I’m doing," she murmured.
His hands fisted against the leather seat. Every muscle in his body screamed to pull her closer, to claim her. But he knew. This wasn’t her. It was the damn drug.
His jaw clenched as he forced himself to push her back, his breathing ragged.
"Just hold on," he said, his voice rough. "I’m taking you to the hospital."
But Lily wasn’t listening. She climbed onto his lap, her fingers working on his shirt buttons.
Ethan swore.
Control was slipping. Fast.
Her lips brushed his again, and this time, he cracked.
With a low growl, he grabbed the back of her neck, his mouth crashing against hers in a deep, punishing kiss.
The heat between them was unbearable, suffocating. His hands roamed down her waist, gripping her tighter as she pressed against him.
His restraint shattered.
- Writer
