LOVE! WHY NOW!

Midnight Ignition

The afternoon sun still shone bright over Wall Street when Bethany left the boardroom. The hallways of BuchForge Tower were alive with normal office sounds, phones ringing, people talking in low voices, printers working, and the smell of fresh coffee from the break room. Sofia Morales walked quickly beside her, heels clicking on the shiny floor. Sofia’s energy was always high, her Brooklyn accent warm and caring.

“Boss, Mr. Harlan Graves is waiting in the small conference room,” Sofia said, checking her tablet. “Jake Thompson increased security around the server room after last night. The man they caught is still being questioned. He mentioned Damien Voss’s name.”

Bethany nodded, trying to keep her voice steady. “Set up the full meeting with Graves for tomorrow morning. I have something important right now.”

Sofia gave her a quick, knowing look but said nothing. She was loyal and sharp. “Theo sent another message. He found more old emails. He wants to meet at the penthouse later.”

“Tell him I will be home by evening,” Bethany replied. She straightened her black power suit and walked toward the private executive offices. Her heart beat faster with every step. The pull toward Damien felt dangerous but exciting in the middle of all her pain.

Damien Voss’s temporary office had a full glass wall that showed the entire financial district. Tall buildings stood like powerful giants outside. Yellow taxis moved like small toys far below. The Brooklyn Bridge was visible in the distance, strong against the blue sky. Damien stood by the window when she entered. He had taken off his suit jacket. His white shirt stretched across his strong rigid chest and arms.

“Bethany,” he said in his smooth British accent, turning to face her. His blue eyes looked intense. “Close the door.”

She closed it with a soft click. The sound felt loud in the quiet room. “You said you have more to show me about the real situation. No games, Damien. I need the truth.”

He walked closer. She could smell his cologne, wood and spice. “Truth is messy. Your father used IllusionForge for secret deals with some shareholders. The debts are bigger than you think.” He pointed to his laptop. “Look at this.”

Bethany stepped beside him. Their arms touched. The screen showed secret files. Numbers. Names. Hidden loans. She read carefully, her mind racing. “This could destroy everything.”

Damien turned to face her. He was very close now. “I can help you fix it. But it will not be easy.” His hand gently touched her arm. The touch sent heat rushing through her body.

Bethany looked up into his eyes. Grief, tiredness, anger, and a deep need for comfort mixed together inside her. “I am tired of carrying this alone,” she whispered.

That was all it took. Damien pulled her into a strong kiss. His lips were warm and demanding. Bethany kissed him back. Her hands grabbed his shirt. The kiss grew deeper. His tongue slipped into her mouth, playing with hers. She moaned softly. His hands moved to her waist and pulled her tight against him. She felt the hardness of his pulsing d**k.

They moved toward the big leather couch. The city view was all around them. Damien’s hands were sure. He unzipped her skirt. It fell to the floor. Bethany pushed his shirt open. She ran her hands over his chest.

“You are beautiful and strong,” he said against her neck. He kissed down her throat. His mouth was warm.

Bethany gasped uncontrollably. She pulled him down onto the couch. Their bodies pressed together, warm and soothing. Clothes came off slowly. His hands explored her curves, her br**sts, her hips, between her thighs, her warm moist va**na. She moaned when his fingers found her wet and ready. He was skilled. He knew exactly how to touch her intensely.

“Damien…” she breathed. Her body arched against him.

He moved lower. His mouth replaced his fingers. His tongue moved in slow circles on her cl*t, slowly then fast. Bethany grabbed his hair. Pleasure built fast. She came hard, shaking, and uncertain, her voice filling the office.

Damien moved up. He was hard and ready with his third leg. Bethany looked into his eyes and nodded, 'Do it, Damien' with a blush on her ears and her face red. He entered her slowly at first, then deeper. Strong thrusts. The couch moved with them. Bethany wrapped her legs around him. She met every movement. Their bodies were sweaty. Skin slapped against skin. those heavy b**ls slapping against her moist a**. He whispered in her ear with a grumpy voice, “You need this release.” Her nails dug into his back.

They changed positions. Bethany got on top. She rode him hard, her hands on his chest. Damien gripped her hips, guiding her. The pleasure built again. They came together, bodies shaking.

For a few minutes, they lay there breathing hard. The sun was lower now. Orange light filled the office. Damien stroked her back gently. “That was powerful,” he said.

Bethany felt alive but guilty. “This cannot happen again. The company comes first.”

But she knew it was a lie. The pull was too strong.

They dressed slowly. Damien helped her with her zipper. “There is more,” he said. “Your father had private IllusionForge sessions. I can get access if you want.”

Bethany’s mind cleared a little. “Show me later. Right now I need to go home and take a little rest.”

The drive back to the Tribeca penthouse was quiet. Evening lights were starting to come on. The Hudson River looked beautiful with reflections of the city. Bethany showered quickly. Hot water ran over her body. She still felt Damien’s touch. The memory made her body warm and hungry again.

Theo was waiting in the living room. He had ordered Thai food. The smell of spicy noodles filled the air. “You look flushed,” he said. “How was the meeting with Voss?”

“Just business,” she replied. She sat down and took some food. Theo showed her more emails. “Dad had deals with Damien and others. Some look shady. Uncle Victor from London sent a message. He wants to come to New York soon.”

Bethany’s phone rang. It was Cassandra from Paris. They talked for a while. After the call, Bethany stepped out onto the private terrace. The infinity pool glowed blue with the LED's. Cool wind blew across her skin. The city sounds rose from below. She stood there thinking about her father’s warning and the strong pull she felt toward Damien.

Around 11 PM, a knock came on the penthouse door. Bethany was in her silk robe. It was Damien.

She opened the door. “What are you doing here?”

“I could not stop thinking about you,” he said. He stepped inside. “And I brought something.”

He had a small portable IllusionForge unit. “A private session. Just us. We can see what your father really hid.”

Bethany knew it was risky. But the night felt electric. They set it up in the living room. The big windows showed the sparkling Manhattan skyline. They entered the simulation together.

Inside the illusion, everything was more intense. They made love again in the fake world, passionate and vivid. When they came out, real desire took over. Damien pulled her robe open. He lifted her onto the kitchen counter. The marble was cold under her thighs. He entered her again. Hard, fast strokes that could break a delicate mind. Bethany held onto his shoulders lightly as each pound was rigid, heavy and made her weaker. Their moans mixed with the sounds of the city outside.

They moved to the bedroom. Slow this time. Tender but still hungry. They came together one last time, bodies pressed tight.

Afterward, they lay in her big bed. The room was dark except for city lights. Damien traced a finger on her arm. “Your father trusted me with some secrets. But there is more. Someone is trying to take the company.”

Bethany felt close to him but also scared. “I need to know everything.”

Before he could answer, her phone buzzed. It was Jake Thompson. “Miss Buch, someone tried to break into the building tonight. We caught him. He mentioned Damien Voss’s name.”

Damien sat up fast. “This is getting dangerous.”

Bethany looked at him. The night had been full of passion, but reality was coming back hard. “Why now?” she whispered to herself again.

The city lights continued to shine outside. Boats moved slowly on the dark river. But inside the penthouse, everything had changed once more.