One Night Mistake: The CEO's Trap

The penthouse door clicked shut, locking the two of them in the dim hallway. Eleanor leaned back against the cool, dark wood, her breath coming in ragged, heated gasps.

Cruz's large, searing hands gripped her waist, pulling her hips firmly against him. The hard evidence of his arousal pressed against her, making her gasp. A fine sheen of sweat glistened on his skin, and the faint scent of cedar and alcohol enveloped her.

"You shouldn't be doing this," Eleanor whispered, her fingers trembling slightly as she traced his strong jawline. Her back pressed tight against the cold, dark wood of the doorframe. Her breathing grew increasingly rapid.

She knew exactly who he was-the older brother of her best friend, Jaye.

"Then tell me to stop," Cruz murmured, his low, husky voice vibrating against her collarbone. His large, warm hands slid down to grip her waist, pulling her hips closer.

He leaned in close to her neck, planting a wet, passionate kiss there. His touch, charged with desire, made her catch her breath.

Eleanor sensed danger in Cruz, but the alcohol had loosened her inhibitions, and the pressure of her stifling life had finally caused her to snap.

Her mother had controlled her every move since childhood-even deciding whom she would marry. But tonight... Eleanor wanted to make her own choices.

Eleanor closed her eyes and leaned into the heat radiating from him. She threaded her fingers through his dark hair, pulling him closer. "Don't stop."

A raw, burning desire ignited in Cruz's eyes. "Then tonight, you're mine," he growled, claiming her lips in a kiss that was both commanding and sweet, sweeping away every shred of her reason.

The heavy exhaustion following a wild night finally lulled Eleanor into a deep sleep. Hours later, as she slowly stirred awake, the first things she noticed were not her surroundings, but a dull ache in her lower back and a lingering soreness in her inner thighs.

She let out a soft moan and shifted her legs. The sheets wrapped around her bare skin weren't the cheap cotton she usually used, but thick, cool silk.

Her eyes snapped open. High, matte-white ceilings met her gaze. As consciousness returned, vivid memories of the previous night came flooding back-the searing heat, the urgent caresses, and the way she had practically begged for more.

Propping herself up on her elbows, she realized she was naked. A wave of panic and regret washed over her. *Oh God... what have I done?* She had willingly-even eagerly-slept with Jay's older brother.

It had been a time of exquisite pleasure, yet now, in the cold light of day, she felt a pang of remorse. How could she ever face Jay again?

She turned her head. Cruz lay fast asleep on his stomach beside her, his broad, bronzed back fully exposed; the muscles rippled and stretched with his steady breathing.

She had to leave before he woke up. Facing him now would be far too mortifying.

Eleanor quietly slid out of bed, her bare feet sinking into the plush, thick carpet. As she stood up, Cruz stirred on the bed. His deep, sleep-heavy voice murmured indistinctly into the pillow: "Darling... you're so soft..."

A flush of heat instantly rose to her cheeks. Eleanor froze, her heart pounding wildly.

As his breathing evened out again, she glanced around anxiously and spotted her black cocktail dress, crumpled in a heap beside the leather armchair. As she struggled to disentangle her lace lingerie from the shirt he had discarded, a burning flush rose to her cheeks.

She slipped into her gown, her fingers trembling as she pulled up the zipper. Picking up her handbag from the chair and confirming her phone and keys were inside, she clutched her high heels and tiptoed toward the door.

As her hand touched the doorknob, she couldn't help but glance back. The morning light illuminated his handsome, aristocratic features; he looked serene-a stark contrast to the wild man of the night before.

Afraid to look back again, she hurriedly turned the handle and slipped into the living room, then practically fled into the private elevator.