Elena stood in her new company apartment in Manhattan, the skyline's glow piercing the floor to ceiling windows, a stark shift from her Brooklyn roots. The fake engagement to Julian Cross, Cross Enterprises' commanding CEO, pressed heavy, tabloids screaming—Cross's Mystery Fiancée Owns Gala. Her new design role promised access to secrets, but Julian's possessive fire and Damian Reed's gala temptation lingered. Elias Navarro was due for a late-night work session, his ocean and leather scent and warm pull haunting her from their gala glances, she unpacked, her blazer and jeans a shield against this glossy world.
Elias knocked, tablet in hand, his hair loose, eyes warm. "Settling in?" he asked, voice smooth, playful, stepping inside. "This place fits you, Elena." His tone carried ease, but low key nudged her to shake things up, his loyalty to Julian a quiet weight.
Her pulse quickened, his warmth disarming. "Fits me?" she teased, voice light, flirty to mask her nerves. "Too fancy for Brooklyn blood, Elias". Desire sparked, clashing with distrust, he's in their game, Mateo, but why does he feel safe?
He chuckled, low, rich, setting the tablet on the counter, their shoulders brushing. "Brooklyn blood? That's your spark," he said, voice soft, eyes dancing. "Julian's crowd can't touch that". His words flirted, but his fingers tapped the tablet, restraint simmering, hinting she could unsettle secrets he couldn't reach.
Her core tightened, his nearness sparking heat. My spark? I'm no one's pawn. "Spark?" she purred, voice sultry, meeting his gaze. "I'm just warming up, Elias". Mateo died for their lies and I want him, but it's wrong. Her fingers grazed his arm, playful, guilt clawing her chest.
Elias smirked, eyes darkening, voice dropping. "Warming up? You're trouble", he said, leaning closer, their knees brushing as he pulled up a design file. "Julian's got competition". His tone was teasing.
Her breath caught, his flirtation fueling her desire. "Competition?" she teased, voice husky, nudging his knee with hers. "I'm nobody's prize, Navarro". Heat surged, distrust warring with want, her heart racing
He laughed, warm, easy, swiping the tablet. "Nobody's prize?" That's a vibe", he said, voice light, eyes locked on hers, desire flickering. "Let's nail this mock-up, client's tough". His words were casual, but his gaze lingered, suggesting she keep pushing boundaries, his loyalty a quiet leash.
Her chest ached, his warmth pulled her in. "All work, no play?" she said, voice sultry, leaning closer, testing him. "Where's the fun in that?" Her fingers brushed his wrist, deliberate, guilt and lust tangling.
Elias's jaw tightened; voice rough. "Fun? You're a damn flame," he said, a smirk tugging. "But Julian's my boss, so, I got to stay focused." His hand lingered near hers, a fleeting tease, before he focused on the tablet, flirting but staying loyal, believing she could shake things up.
Her skin tingled, his vibe electric, but she nodded, playing cool. "Focused, huh?' she said, voice smooth, swiping the tablet. He's too tempting, too close, but I need the truth, not this. Her fingers danced across the screen, adjusting a design, until a locked folder caught her eye—Mateo Marquez: Archives. A file blinked: Phoenix Stability Report.
Her pulse spiked, lust fading under purpose. "What's this?" she said, voice casual, pointing to the folder, watching Elias. Stay calm, don't slip.
Elias tensed; voice careful. "Old files", he said, quick, swiping it closed. "Not our thing, just stick to the design". His tone was easy, but his eyes flicked to hers, urging her to dig deeper, his loyalty to Julian masking his own questions about the explosion.
Her stomach knotted, distrust surging. He's dodging, he knows something. "Old files?" she said, voice light, probing. "Worth a peek, no?" her fingers hovered, itching to open it, desire for Elias clashing with her mission.
Elias's gaze sharpened; voice low. "Let it go, Elena", he said, his hand brushing hers, stopping her. "Some things stay locked". His tone was soft but urgency flickered, loyalty to Julian mixed with a quiet push for her to keep searching, protecting her or the secret.
Her breath hitched, his touch reigniting heat, his warning chilling her. He's nudging me, but why? "Locked?" she said, voice sharp, pulling her hand free. "I don't do locked, Elias". Her eyes challenged, lust and suspicion warring, his warmth pulling her.
He sighed; voice heavy. "I see that", he said as his eyes searched for hers, care slipping through. "Just watch yourself, you are stirring things up." His tone was gentle but underneath screamed; dig but be sharp.
Her chest tightened, his concern piercing as her desire for him flared. "Watch myself?" she teased in a husky voice, leaning closer and flirting to keep him close. "I'm tougher than you think, Navarro". I want him, and it is killing me. Her knee nudged his, heat surging, guilt twisting.
His eyes darkened; voice rough. "Tough? You're a damn sparkler", he said, a grin flashing. His hand grazed her cheek, slow and deliberate as he locked his eyes on hers, sending shivers through her. He leaned in, lips capturing hers in a sudden, searing kiss, warm and hungry, his tongue teasing, sparking fire through her core. The kiss was electric, his mouth claiming hers with a need that stole her breath, she kissed back, fierce, hands sliding up his chest, fingers curling into his shirt, pulling him closer.
His tongue teased her lips, and she opened for him, tasting spice and heat as their kiss deepened, slow and sensual. A low groan rumbled from his throat, vibrating against her mouth, his hands roaming her back, pressing her tight against him. Her pulse pounded, heat pooling low as she matched his fire, nipping his lip, drawing sharper groan. His stubble scraped her skin, his tongue plunging deeper, exploring her with a hunger that made her arch into him, craving more.
Her fingers fumbled with his shirt buttons, desperate, popping one free, then another, her hands trembling with want. She pushed the fabric aside, palms gliding over his bare chest, warm and taut, muscles flexing under her touch. Elias shuddered, his kiss growing wilder, lips moving with urgent need, tongue tangling with hers in a heated dance. She traced his skin, grazing his nipples, and he groaned louder, hands slipping under her blazer, fingers brushing her bare back, sparking electricity that made her moan softly into his mouth.
Her heart slammed, every nerve alight as she shoved his shirt off his shoulders, letting it fall, his chest heaving as he kissed her harder, a raw edge to it. The taste of him; ocean, leather and desire drowned her senses. Mateo, I'm lost. she pressed closer.
Abruptly, Elias froze, lips stilling against hers, breath ragged. He pulled back, eyes wide with regret, hands dropping from her waist. "Fuck", he muttered, voice raw and he step away from her shirtless, running a hand through his hair. "I can't, Julian…" his tone was strained, loyalty crashing through, desire and guilt warring, leaving her lips burning for more.
Her heart slammed, his kiss lingering, body aching. "Elias," she whispered, voice shaky, reaching for him, but he was already at the door, eyes heavy, restraint winning. "Wait".
"Get some rest," he said, voice tight, not looking back. "Play smart, Elena." He left, the door clicking shut, his warmth fading and her resolve hardening.