The morning light streamed through the cracks in the blinds, casting a soft glow over the tangled sheets and discarded clothes scattered across the floor. Aria stirred, her body aching in the most delicious way, her mind still foggy from the night before.
And then it hit her.
She wasn't in her own bed.
Her eyes snapped open, and she turned her head to see Ethan lying beside her, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. His arm was draped over her waist, his fingers brushing lightly against her skin.
Panic surged through her. What had they done?
The memories came flooding back - Alex, the CEO of Luxe Cosmetics, flirting shamelessly with her at the dinner meeting. Ethan's jaw tightening, his eyes darkening with something she couldn't quite place. The way he'd pulled her aside afterward, his voice low and dangerous.
*"You're mine,"* he'd growled, his hands gripping her waist as he backed her into the elevator.
And then…
Aria's cheeks burned as she remembered the way he'd kissed her, his lips claiming hers with a possessiveness that had left her breathless. The way he'd carried her to his hotel room, his hands and mouth everywhere, leaving no part of her untouched.
It had been wild, passionate, and completely reckless.
Carefully, she slipped out of bed, grabbing her clothes from the floor and dressing quickly. She needed to get out of here before he woke up. Before they had to face what they'd done.
But as she reached for the door, his voice stopped her.
"Running away already?"
She froze, her hand on the doorknob, and turned to see Ethan sitting up in bed, the sheet draped low around his waist. His hair was tousled, his eyes heavy with sleep, but there was no mistaking the intensity in his gaze.
"I'm not running," she said, though her voice wavered.
"Then stay," he said, his tone soft but commanding.
Aria's heart raced. She wanted to stay. She wanted to crawl back into bed with him and forget about everything else. But she couldn't.
"This was a mistake," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Ethan's jaw tightened, and he stood, crossing the room in a few strides. He stopped in front of her, his body radiating heat, his eyes searching hers.
"It didn't feel like a mistake last night," he said, his voice low and rough.
Aria's breath hitched as he reached out, his fingers brushing against her cheek. She wanted to pull away, to put distance between them, but her body betrayed her, leaning into his touch.
"Ethan…"
"Tell me you didn't feel it," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Tell me you don't want this as much as I do."
She opened her mouth to argue, to deny it, but the words wouldn't come. Because the truth was, she did want him. She wanted him more than she'd ever wanted anyone.
But that didn't make it right.
"We can't do this," she said, her voice trembling. "It's too complicated."
"It doesn't have to be," he said, his hand sliding to the back of her neck, pulling her closer.
And then he kissed her, his lips soft and demanding, and Aria's resolve crumbled. She kissed him back, her hands tangling in his hair, her body pressing against his.
It was a mistake. She knew it was a mistake. But in that moment, she didn't care.
When they finally broke apart, Ethan rested his forehead against hers, his breathing ragged.
"Stay," he said again, his voice rough with need.
Aria closed her eyes, her heart pounding. She knew she should leave. She knew this would only make things more complicated.
But when she opened her eyes and saw the look in his, she knew she couldn't walk away.
Not yet.
"Okay," she whispered.
Ethan's lips curved into a slow, satisfied smile, and he pulled her back to bed, his hands and mouth leaving no part of her untouched.
And as they lost themselves in each other once more, Aria knew one thing for certain: this wasn't just a fling.
This was something far more dangerous.
And she wasn't sure she could walk away unscathed.