ELEVATOR

I stood on the balcony, arms folded on the railing, staring out at the quiet forest.

The cool night air brushed against my skin, but I barely felt it. My mind was spinning, replaying the kiss I had shared with Caspian just moments ago. I could still feel the heat of his lips on mine, the electric sensation that surged through my body when he touched me.

I wasn't sure what I was feeling—anger, confusion, desire-all of it swirled together in a way that left me disoriented.

I didn't want this. I shouldn't want this.

But I did.

And now, he was asking me to come to his office, and I knew deep down that nothing good was going to come of it.

My heart pounded in my chest, and for a moment, I considered staying out here, staying safe. But something was pulling me, dragging me back inside. The way he kissed me, the way he looked at me, as though he saw right through the careful facade I was trying to build for myself.

I couldn't resist the pull.

Five minutes, he had said. Five min