Our lips were still tangled in that desperate rhythm,
breaths uneven,
hearts pounding
And then—
knock, knock.
The sound crashed through the moment like cold water.
We froze.
He blinked once, chest rising and falling fast against mine.
I pulled back just enough to meet his eyes, our foreheads still pressed together.
Another knock, firmer this time.
Daniel exhaled sharply, his voice rough. "You've gotta be kidding me."
I laughed softly, breathless, still dazed. "Guess the universe really hates us today."
He brushed his thumb across my lips, eyes dark. "We're not done, Maya."
"Didn't think we were," I whispered, voice low, before I turned to grab the edge of my apron — suddenly realizing I was still in nothing but that.
Panic hit. "Oh my god."
He smirked, all teasing and heat. "Yeah, you might wanna fix that before whoever's out there gets the same view I did."
Rolling my eyes, cheeks flushed, I darted down the hall , practically sprinting to my room. Behind me, I heard him clear his throat, the sound of footsteps moving toward the door.
By the time I threw on an oversized T-shirt and shorts, I could hear voices ,deep, familiar, casual. I peeked from the hallway, still catching my breath.
And there he was , Daniel, leaning casually against the doorframe, arms crossed, greeting someone with that easy smile that could charm anyone.
"Man, it's been forever," said the visitor , tall, confident, with a grin that suggested trouble and stories.
"Didn't expect you this early," Daniel replied, tone cool but his gaze flicking briefly toward the hallway where I stood, half-hidden, heart still beating too fast.
His friend laughed. "Had to drop by, you know how it is. Missed my guy."
When I came back out, the air felt different.
The man standing in the living room was tall,
built like he lived in a gym, maybe in his 40s,
dark hair pushed back,
confidence radiating off him !
"Whoa," he said, eyes immediately finding me. "You must be Maya. Daniel's told me a lot, but… he really undersold the view."
Daniel smirked, leaning against the counter, voice smooth and amused. "Told you she's trouble."
"Trouble?" The friend grinned wider, tilting his head as he looked at me. "Looks more like temptation."
I froze halfway into a polite smile, not sure if I should laugh or blush. My skin felt hot again different this time because Daniel wasn't stopping him. In fact, he was watching me !
"Easy there, Leo," Daniel finally said, tone low but teasing. "You're gonna scare her off."
Leo shrugged, unfazed. "Just giving compliments where they're due. You can't keep a woman like her hidden, man. The world deserves a little warning."
Daniel chuckled, exchanging that effortless, silent guy-code look with him. "Consider this your warning then," he said, eyes flicking to me in a way that made my breath catch.
"Warning received," Leo said, but he still shot me a wink, slow, , mischievous!!
I busied myself with the coffee machine, pretending to care about water measurements and beans!!!
Daniel leaned casually against the counter, his friend , Leo, apparently ,sitting across the island, elbows resting, eyes fixed on me like I was the main course.
"So, Maya," Leo started, voice lazy, smooth as velvet. "You always dress like that for breakfast, or did I just walk into a fantasy I wasn't invited to?"
The cup in my hand trembled slightly. I tried for a glare but it came out as a flustered smile. "Depends who's watching," I said, instantly regretting how breathy it sounded.
Daniel chuckled low, the sound rippling down my spine. "Careful, man," he warned, though the smirk tugging at his lips told a different story. "She's got a sharper tongue than she looks."
"Oh, I bet," Leo shot back, eyes glinting. "Can't blame me for noticing — she's got that… trouble energy."
I turned, half-embarrassed, half-enjoying the attention. "Do you two rehearse this charm act, or does it just come naturally?"
Daniel took a sip of his coffee, eyes locked on me over the rim. "He's just jealous," he said. "He talks too much when he's impressed."
Leo smirked. "Impressed? More like stunned. You didn't tell me your girlfriend was this—" he paused, searching for the word, "—magnetic."
Daniel's smile deepened. "I didn't think I needed to warn you."
Both of them wearing the same kind of grin that made me wonder who was enjoying this little game more — them, or me.
I slid the mugs toward them. "Coffee's hot," I said pointedly.
Leo's grin didn't falter. "So are you."
Daniel laughed , a low, rich sound , and looked at me like he knew exactly what was running through my mind.
"Behave, Leo," he said, voice dipping lower. "You're in my kitchen."
Leo raised his hands in mock surrender, though his gaze lingered a second too long. "Sure," he said. "But man… I finally get why you've been off the grid lately."
Daniel's eyes flicked to mine , and the corner of his mouth curved, slow and possessive. "Now you see," he said simply.
And I swear the way he said it made my heart skip because in that moment, with two sets of eyes on me, I wasn't sure whether to feel claimed or challenged.