His Forbidden Temptation

Alexander Varela didn’t believe in fate. Fate was a word people used when they lacked control—when life slipped through their fingers and they needed something, someone, to blame. But standing in the glass-walled conference room of Titan Enterprises, staring at the woman who had just walked through the door, he started to question everything. Lucy Calloway. The one woman he could never have. The one woman he should have forgotten. She wasn’t supposed to be here. Not in his world, not in his office, not in his damn life. And yet, here she was—standing with her back straight, chin lifted, and eyes that carried the same fire he remembered. Alex clenched his jaw, forcing his expression into something unreadable. He had spent years mastering control, and he wasn’t just going to lose it now. Not because of her. He turned toward the HR manager, who was in the middle of introductions, oblivious to the way the air had moved. “…and this is Mr. Varela, your boss.” Lucy’s lips parted slightly, just for a fraction of a second, before she quickly hid her reaction. Boss. Alex watched as she squared her shoulders, stepping forward with a confidence that was almost convincing. Almost. “Mr. Varela,” she said smoothly, extending her hand. He should ignore it. He should turn around and act as if she was just another employee. But he didn’t. Instead, he took her hand. Big mistake. The moment their skin touched, something sharp kindled between them—an invisible current that sent his pulse into overdrive. Her fingers were soft, warm, but her grip was firm, as if daring him to acknowledge the past. He wouldn’t. “Miss Calloway,” he said coolly, releasing her hand too quickly. For a split second, something flickered in her eyes—something almost like hurt. But as soon as she blinked, it was gone. “I look forward to working with you,” she said, her tone professional. Distant. Liar. Alex’s lips twitched, but he gave a short nod. “Likewise.” Another lie. The HR manager continued speaking, but Alex wasn’t listening. His mind was stuck in the past, tangled in memories he had spent years burying. He had loved her once. Or at least, he thought he had. But love had rules. And Lucy Calloway had always been forbidden. --- **Six Years Ago** “Tell me to stop.” Lucy’s breath hitched as Alex pressed her against the wall, his hands framing her face, his body inches from hers. She knew this was wrong. She knew they were playing a dangerous game. But she didn’t want him to stop. “I can’t,” she whispered. A curse slipped from his lips before his mouth crashed against hers, claiming her in a kiss that burned through every rational thought. She melted against him, fingers twisting into his shirt, pulling him closer, needing more, needing everything— A sudden knock on the door sent panic flooding through her. “Alex?” A deep voice called from the hallway. Her brother. Alex stepped back instantly, running a hand through his hair, his breathing ragged. Lucy swallowed hard, her heart pounding so fast it hurt. This was their reality. They weren’t just two people falling for each other. She was his best friend’s little sister. And that was a line Alex Varela could never cross. --- **Present Day** Lucy sat in her new office, gripping the armrests of her chair as she tried to catch her breath. What the hell was she doing here? She had spent six years avoiding this man, six years convincing herself she had moved on. And now, she was working for him? Her stomach twisted. This was a huge mistake. A cruel, twisted joke. She should quit. Right now. Walk out before this job turned into a chaotic war zone of unspoken feelings and dangerous temptations. But she couldn’t. She needed this job. She had worked too damn hard to get here, and she wasn’t about to let Alexander Varela be the reason she threw it all away. Taking a deep breath, she straightened her spine. She could do this. She would do this. A knock on the door made her tense. “Come in,” she said, forcing her voice to stay steady. The door swung open, and there he was. Alex leaned against the frame, arms crossed over his broad chest, his expression unreadable. For a long moment, he just looked at her, like he was trying to figure out whether she was real or some kind of hallucination. Then, finally, he spoke. “You shouldn’t be here.” Lucy’s fingers dug into the armrests, her nails pressing into the leather. “Neither should you.” His lips curved, but there was no humor in it. “You don’t belong in my world, Lucy.” She lifted her chin. “I’m not here for you, Alex. I’m here for the job.” His gaze darkened, something flickering beneath the surface. “If you think I’m going to make this easy for you,” he murmured, stepping closer, “you’re mistaken.” Her heart slammed against her ribs. She forced herself to hold his gaze. “I don’t need easy.” Alex’s smirk deepened, but there was something dangerous in it—something that sent a shiver down her spine. “We’ll see about that.” And with that, he turned and walked away, leaving her breathless and completely, utterly screwed.