When Nick invited me over to help him cook dinner, I didn’t even have to think about it before saying yes. The idea of spending time together, just the two of us, doing something as simple as making a meal, felt strangely exciting. I wasn’t sure if it was because I was looking forward to the food or if it was because I was looking forward to the company, but either way, I found myself practically rushing to his place.By the time I got there, the anticipation had already settled in my stomach, making me feel a little restless. But the moment he opened up and flashed that easygoing smile of his, all my nerves disappeared.“Hey, you made it,” Nick said, stepping aside to let me in, his voice carrying that usual warmth that always made me feel comfortable.“Of course, I made it,” I said.We headed toward the elevator, and as we stepped inside, the doors slid shut with a soft chime. The ride up was quiet at first, just the faint hum of the elevator filling the space, until we stepped into
By the time dinner was finished, the air between us had changed. It wasn’t just the easy laughter or the way our hands kept brushing when we moved around the kitchen—it was something deeper and impossible to ignore.Nick poured us each another glass of wine, the golden liquid catching the soft glow of the overhead lights. He leaned against the counter, watching me with an expression that made my stomach twist.“You know,” he said, swirling the wine in his glass, “I don’t do this often.”I raised an eyebrow, taking a slow sip from my own glass. “Cook dinner?”He chuckled, shaking his head. “Invite people over like this to spend time and talk.” He gestured vaguely between us, as if that explained everything he wasn’t saying out loud.I set my glass down, letting his words settle in the quiet space between us. “And yet, here we are,” I murmured, searching his face for an answer I wasn’t even sure I needed.“Here we are,” he echoed, his voice softer now, almost like he was testing how the
Nick’s hands gripped my hips like he was afraid I’d slip away if he let go. My lips were still teasing down his chest, slow and tasting the salt of his skin as I worked my way lower. His breath hitched, and I could feel the tension coiling in him, the way he fought to keep control. But I was not there to let him stay composed. I wanted him squirming, just like he’d done to me.I glanced up at him, catching that dark, hungry look in his eyes, and flashed him a wicked little smile. “You’re not getting off that easy,” I murmured, my voice low and teasing as my fingers hooked into the waistband of his pants, tugging them down just enough to make him groan.I slid my hands up his thighs, nails grazing lightly, and felt him tense under my touch. My lips followed, brushing soft kisses along his skin, inching closer until he was practically trembling. “You’ve been so patient,” I purred, letting my breath fan over him, “but I think it’s time I reward you.” I took my time, savoring every sound
After that wild, sweaty explosion on the kitchen counter, where Nick’s tongue had worked my pussy until I shattered into a trembling mess and I’d sucked his dick until he cursed my name, an awkward silence had crept in like a fog I couldn’t shake.I slumped there, my bare thighs still sticky against the cool granite, my chest heaving as I tried to catch my breath, my mind spinning in a million directions about what the hell had just happened between us.Nick stood up slowly, his dick still half-hard and glistening in the dim light, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand as that smug grin faded into something softer, like he was waiting for me to say something—anything—to break the tension that hung thick in the air.I couldn’t look at him straight, my fingers fumbling to pull my top back over my head, my cheeks burning as I muttered something dumb about needing a glass of water, even though my legs felt like jelly and I wasn’t sure I could even stand without wobbling.Nick watched
Brenda went quiet for a second, and I could picture her standing there in her new kitchen, her mouth probably open, her eyes wide as she processed what I’d just dumped on her. Then she let out a slow whistle, followed by a laugh that was half shock, half delight, and I heard her flop onto her own couch, the springs creaking under her weight.“Holy shit, girl, you did what with Nick? On the kitchen floor? And the counter? Damn, I need a minute to wrap my head around this because I knew you two had some sparks flying, but this is next-level wild,” she said, her voice bubbling with excitement as she shifted, probably tucking her legs up like she always did when she got into a good story. “Okay, first off, I’m proud of you for going for it—I mean, sucking his dick and letting him eat your pussy like that, that’s some bold shit, and it sounds like he was all over you too, which is hot as hell—but now you’re home and freaking out, and I get it, I totally do, because you’re always overthinki
The next day at work started like any other, my heels clicking against the polished floors of the office as I shuffled toward my desk, my coffee cup trembling slightly in my hand because I didn’t sleep much, my mind still tangled up in the memory of the sensual moment I had with Nick’s at his place, and the way I bolted from his place like a scared kid.I settled into my chair, the hum of the open-plan office buzzing around me, phones ringing, keyboards clacking, someone laughing too loud by the break room, and I barely had time to open my email before I felt a shadow fall over me, my stomach flipping as I looked up and saw Nick standing there, all six feet of him in a gray suit, his tie loosened just enough to hint at the man I saw naked last night.Nick leaned against the edge of my desk, one hand resting on a stack of reports I hadn’t touched yet, his fingers tapping lightly as he looked down at me with those dark eyes that made my breath catch, a small, nervous smile tugging at hi
Later that evening, I was standing in my apartment, smoothing down the little black dress I picked out. It was tight enough to show off my curves but not so much that I couldn’t breathe. When the doorbell rang, sharp and loud, making me jump as I checked myself in the mirror one last time, my hair falling in loose waves over my shoulders, my lipstick a bold red that felt like armor.I opened the door, and there was Nick, looking unfairly good in a dark blazer and slacks, his shirt open at the collar, his eyes sweeping over me like he couldn’t quite believe I was real.“You look… wow, you look stunning, Tracy, I knew you’d look good, but this is something else,” Nick said, stepping inside just enough to hand me a single rose he’d been holding, his fingers brushing mine.“Thank you,” I said, as I took it, the flower, the soft petals tickling my skin. “I hope you’re hungry because I’m taking you to Love Garden, it’s this little place downtown, quiet, romantic, with the best pasta you’ll
Right after I said yes to being Nick’s girlfriend, the air between us shifted, crackling with something electric and unstoppable, like a storm rolling in that neither of us could outrun, and he didn’t wait a second longer, leaning across the table with a sudden, breathtaking urgency, his hand sliding behind my neck, fingers tangling in my hair as he pulled me into a kiss that stole my breath away, leaving me dizzy and gasping for air.Nick’s lips crashed against mine, firm and hungry, tasting of the sharp red wine we’d been sipping and a deeper, wilder desire that set my nerves on fire, his tongue slipping past my teeth to dance with mine in a slow rhythm that made my head spin, and I melted into it, my hands gripping the edge of the table so hard my knuckles whitened, the napkin slipping from my lap to the floor in a soft crumple as my whole body lit up, tingling from my scalp down to my toes like I’d been plugged into a live wire.I felt like I was falling, tumbling into a void wher
The marketing floor was a hive of activity as I stepped out of the break room, the soda can cool in my hand, its fizz still bubbling against my nerves. The hum of printers and the clatter of keyboards filled the air, but my mind was locked on Torres’s revelation—Suzan accessing a backup file after Marcus’s login, her phone call.I wove through the cubicles, my cream slacks brushing softly, and headed toward my desk, ready to check the Reid Corps follow-up reports. But before I could sit, Mr. Lawrence’s voice cut through the noise, calling from the conference room doorway.“Ms. Bennett, a moment, please,” he said, his gray suit impeccable, his expression stern as always.Beside him stood Ms. Carver, a board member known for her piercing questions and zero patience for delays.My stomach tightened—board members didn’t drop by for casual chats.I nodded, setting my soda on my desk, and followed them into the conference room, the glass walls giving a clear view of the bustling floor.Clar
The first rays of dawn crept through the blinds of Nick’s apartment, painting faint stripes across the hardwood floor where I stood, stretching my arms above my head. I’d stayed the night, the warmth of his bed and the memory of our closeness lingering, but sleep had been restless, I kept thinking about the workstation we planned to check tonight. I wore one of Nick’s T-shirts, the hem brushing my thighs as I padded to the window, the city waking below in a soft haze of light. My coffee mug steamed on the sill, and I sipped it, the bitterness grounding me as I braced for the day.Nick stirred behind me, his footsteps soft as he joined me, his arms slipping around my waist, his chin resting on my shoulder. “Morning, Tee,” he murmured, his voice rough with sleep, his breath warm against my neck. “You’re up early. Thinking about our mission?”I leaned into him, his solidity easing the knot in my chest. “Yeah. I keep replaying everything—Suzan’s email, Jordan’s attitude, that coffee shop.
The late afternoon sun cast a warm glow over the park near Haven Enterprises, where I’d slipped away to clear my head after the archive room meeting. I sat on a wooden bench, the faint rustle of leaves and distant laughter of kids on a playground softening the edges of my thoughts.My phone rested in my lap, a text to Ella half-typed: “Coming this weekend with Nick. How’s Mom holding up?” The Suzan-Marcus email weighed on me, a knot of suspicion tightening with every new clue, but I needed a moment to breathe, to reconnect with family before diving back into the mystery. I hit send, watching a squirrel dart across the grass, and let the park’s calm settle over me.Ella’s reply came fast: “Mom’s stressed but hiding it. Dad’s being a stubborn mule. Nick’s coming? OMG!”I stood, brushing off my green dress, and headed toward the office to grab my bag. The park’s peace lingered, but Suzan’s guarded face and Jordan’s evasiveness crept back, sharpening my focus. Torres’s workstation logs wo
The deli across from Haven Enterprises was a small haven of noise and warmth. Its checkered floor was scuffed from years of foot traffic, and the air was thick with the smell of pastrami and fresh bread. I pushed through the glass door, the bell jingling, and spotted Nick at a corner booth, his broad shoulders hunched over a menu, his tie loosened in that way that always made my pulse skip. The lunch crowd buzzed around us—office workers, delivery guys, a mom wrangling two kids—but as I slid into the booth across from him, the world narrowed to his blue eyes, steady and warm, locking onto mine.“Hey, Tee,” he said, his voice low, a smile tugging at his lips. “You look like you’ve been chasing ghosts all morning. Brew & Bean turn up anything?”I set my bag down, leaning back against the vinyl seat, the tension in my shoulders easing just a fraction. “Not much, but enough to keep me curious. The barista mentioned a regular—a guy in a hoodie, who works late in the back. Could be Marcus,
The morning air was sharp as I stood outside Brew & Bean, the coffee shop Torres had pinpointed as the source of Marcus Reed’s off-site login. The neon sign flickered lazily above the door, the pink glow struggling against the hazy grey light of dawn. A steady stream of early risers bustled past, their conversations blending with the hum of traffic and the occasional whoosh of a passing bus. The scent of roasted beans drifted through the open window, rich and earthy, weaving into the cold breeze that tugged at my coat.I hadn’t slept much—maybe three hours at most—but adrenaline had kicked in the moment my alarm went off. I’d come early, before heading to Haven, hoping to catch something—anything—that might explain who had used the coffee shop’s public Wi-Fi to tamper with our mock-up files. A familiar face. A name dropped accidentally. Even a strange look exchanged across the counter. Something.My breath puffed visibly in the cool spring air, and I tightened my scarf, peering throug
At noon, I saw Jordan’s familiar frame walking out of the break room, a lunch container in hand, heading toward the small garden terrace on the third floor. I grabbed my salad from the fridge and followed at a distance, giving him a few minutes before joining him.The terrace was quiet, the spring air crisp, with just enough sunlight breaking through the overcast sky to warm the concrete benches. Jordan was seated near the far end, scrolling through his phone and picking at a sandwich.“Hey,” I said, keeping my tone light as I sat across from him. “Mind if I join?”He looked up, a flash of surprise in his eyes before he nodded. “Sure. It’s your building, too.”I tried not to flinch at the sharpness in his tone. “Just wanted a bit of air. And maybe some company.”He shrugged but didn’t say no. I let the silence hang for a few beats as I stabbed my fork into the lettuce, trying to make it look casual.“Listen, about yesterday,” I said, watching his face carefully, “I didn’t mean to come
The elevator doors slid open, and I stepped onto the marketing floor of Haven Enterprises, the familiar hum of printers and chatter greeting me. My heels clicked against the polished floor, and I adjusted the strap of my bag.David was at the coffee machine, wrestling with a jammed filter, his usual grin replaced by a scowl. “Morning, Tee,” he called, spotting me. “This thing’s out to ruin my day.”I laughed, setting my bag down at my desk. “Not unless it involves unplugging and praying. Rough start?”“You have no idea,” he said, finally yanking the filter free, coffee grounds scattering. “Torres kept me up late with his theories about that mock-up glitch. The guy is like a dog with a bone. Have you heard anything new?”I leaned against my cubicle, keeping my voice low. “Not yet. He’s supposed to update me and Nick today. Something about Marcus Reed’s login. You think it’s an inside job?”David wiped his hands on a napkin, his eyes narrowing. “Marcus was weird, always by himself, neve
The city lights blurred past as Nick’s car wound through downtown, the hum of the engine a soft counterpoint to the quiet between us. I leaned against the window, my cheek cool against the glass, the buzz of the bar’s laughter and karaoke still echoing in my ears.The Reid Corps win felt like a triumph, but the weight of Jordan’s defensiveness and Marcus Reed’s ghost login clung to me, a puzzle I couldn’t solve tonight. Nick’s hand rested on my thigh, warm and steady, and I glanced at him, his profile sharp in the streetlights, his jaw relaxed but his eyes focused on the road.“You’re thinking too loud,” he said, his voice teasing but soft, breaking the silence. He squeezed my thigh gently, glancing my way. “Want to tell me what’s going on in that head of yours, Tee?”I smiled, shifting to face him, my hand covering his. “Just everything. The deal, Jordan, Marcus. I keep trying to connect the dots, but it’s like I’m missing half the picture. And then there’s Mom and Dad. I need to cal
Torres stumbled back to the table, waving a hand dramatically. “Okay, okay. I murdered that song. Who’s next? Hannah? Clara? Tracy?”“Nope,” Clara said immediately, holding up her hands. “You’re on your own, Torres.”Hannah laughed. “I’ll go if Tracy goes with me. Duet?”I coughed into my drink. “Oh no. You’re not dragging me into your karaoke crimes.”“Oh come on!” Hannah whined playfully. “You can’t just sit there looking all mysterious and cute. We’re supposed to be bonding!”Everyone turned to look at me, faces full of encouragement. Even Nick gave me a side-eye smirk like he was daring me.I groaned. “Fine! But only one song.”The table erupted in cheers, and Hannah bounced up, grabbing my hand. “Let’s go before you change your mind!”Nick squeezed my knee under the table one more time, a silent good luck, and I followed Hannah reluctantly to the machine.“What are we even singing?” I hissed.Hannah grinned wickedly. “You’ll see.”I should’ve known better.A few seconds later, th