At the Edge of Temptation

Bastian POV

I sat across from Dr. Thompson, but the quiet of his office wasn’t helping the storm inside me. His walls were covered with certificates and paintings, but none of it could calm the mess in my chest.

Dr. Thompson adjusted his glasses and leaned forward.

“You’ve been more tense and quiet than usual, Bastian. What’s on your mind?”

I sighed, rubbing my face. Where should I start? Should I tell him I’m thinking things I shouldn’t about my best friend’s daughter? Or that guilt is eating me alive? I decided to go with a safer topic, even though it wasn’t much safer.

“I keep thinking about them,” I muttered. “Sofia. And Ellana.”

Dr. Thompson’s face softened like he understood. I hated how he looked at me, like I was about to break.

“It’s natural to think about them, especially after what happened.”

I closed my eyes, memories crashing down like waves, nearly drowning me.

Sofia, my daughter, just 18, had her whole life ahead of her. And Ellana, my wife, the woman I thought I’d spend my life with. Both gone. Taken from me. I wanted to forget, but I couldn’t.

“You’ve never told me the full story, Bastian,” Dr. Thompson said gently. “Walk me through it.”

I clenched my fists, the heavy weight of guilt pressing down again. I hadn’t protected them. I hadn’t saved them. I failed them.

“It was a car crash,” I whispered. “Ellana died instantly. Sofia was left with me, and I thought I could keep her safe. But...” My voice cracked. “She got involved with a man. Much older. He was old enough to be her father. I tried to stop her, but she wouldn’t listen. He twisted her mind. One night, she took her own life. I found her body... I failed her.”

Dr. Thompson nodded slowly, his eyes filled with understanding. “You blame yourself.”

“Of course I do,” I snapped. “I couldn’t stop her. I was supposed to protect her, and I didn’t. It’s my fault.”

Dr. Thompson didn’t say anything for a moment. “You’ve carried this guilt for a long time, Bastian. But punishing yourself won’t bring them back.”

I knew he was right, but it didn’t change how I felt. It didn’t take away the knot of guilt and anger inside me. Anger at myself. Anger at Matteo Johnson, the man who hurt Sofia. Wishing I could end his miserable life once more.

“Who is Lilith? You mentioned her last week,” Dr. Thompson asked, pulling me back to the present.

My stomach twisted at her name.

“She’s just a girl,” I mumbled, trying to brush it off.

Dr. Thompson raised an eyebrow. “Is that all she is?”

Images of Lilith filled my head, her body, her voice. I couldn’t escape them.

“She’s young,” I said finally. “Too young.”

Even as I said it, the temptation gnawed at me. Every time I thought about her, the desire grew even stronger.

Later that evening, I got home with the therapy session still weighing on my mind. As soon as I stepped inside, the smell of food hit me.

Mrs. Florence, my housekeeper, was in the kitchen, as usual, despite me telling her she didn’t need to work so hard.

“Bastian!” she called with warmth. “I made your favorite, roast chicken and potatoes. It’s in the fridge for you.”

I smiled. “Mrs. Florence, I keep telling you, you don’t have to do that.”

She waved me off. “Oh, hush. I’ve been looking after you for years. What’s one more meal?”

She fussed over me like a mother, always making sure I was okay. For a moment, I let myself relax in the comfort she brought.

I started to walk toward her to help, but Mrs. Florence shook her head. “You work too much, Bastian. One of these days, you need to take a break. Maybe go out and have some fun.”

I chuckled lightly. “I’ll think about it.”

She gave me a knowing look before grabbing her things. “Well, you know where to find me if you need anything. Don’t forget to eat, okay?”

I nodded as she left, and once the door closed, the silence in the penthouse wrapped around me. I poured myself a drink, but my thoughts kept going to Lilith. Her voice, her body, they haunted me all day. I couldn’t focus. I lay down on the couch, trying to quiet my mind.

It was past midnight when I heard the door open. I frowned, getting up from the couch. I wasn’t expecting anyone.

Then I saw her.

Lilith.

She stood in the doorway, her hair falling over her shoulders, her eyes dark with determination. She didn’t wait for an invitation. She knew the code to my penthouse, and she used it like she belonged here.

“Lilith,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “What are you doing here?”

She didn’t answer. She walked toward me, her hips swaying, her eyes locked on mine.

“You shouldn’t be here.”

“I couldn’t stay away,” she whispered, her voice full of desire, that mirrored mine.

Before I could react, she climbed onto my lap, straddling me, her body pressing against mine. Her hands touched my chest, and her breath was warm on my neck, sending waves of heat through me.

“Lilith,” I muttered, my voice rough. “What are you doing?”

She leaned closer, her lips brushing my ear. “You keep avoiding me, and it just makes me want you more.”

Her words sent a jolt of heat through me. I thought of my Sofia, reminding myself that men like me were the reason my daughter was gone.

“I’m doing this for you,” I whispered, gripping the arms of the chair. “You’re too young, Lilith.”

She didn’t listen. Her fingers moved down my chest, lower and lower, until they touched the bulge in my pants. My breath caught. Her mouth moved to my neck, kissing and nippling gently.

I groaned, my hands grabbing her waist, pulling her closer. My mind screamed to stop, but my body... my traitorous body wouldn’t listen.

“I want you,” she whispered, her lips trailing down my collarbone.

“Let me be yours.”