BETRAYAL GAME: HIS BOSS, MY OBSESSION

'S

ack. "Eva," Lucas said, smooth as ever. "You're early." I turned slowly. He was alone now, arms crossed over his chest, eyes locked on mine like I was the only person in the building. "Brought lunch," I replied softly, holding up the bag like a shield. He smiled. The kind of smile that made my legs feel less reliable. "For Henry, I assume?" I nodded. "I'd like a word. In my office." I hesitated. My pulse picked up again. It wasn't a question. It never was with him. The smart thing would've been to say no. Walk away. Drop the food off and run. But my feet moved before my mouth could catch up. I followed him. His office was quiet, cold, and far too private. The moment the door shut behind me, I felt the tension wrap around my throat like a silk ribbon, soft and deadly. Lucas didn't sit. He stood by his desk, watching me with that unreadable expression that always made me feel seen-stripped down. I stayed by the door, clutching the lunch bag like it could save me. "I thought we agreed to keep things clean during office hours," I said, forcing a weak smile. He tilted his head. "And yet, you're here." "You asked me to come in." "And you didn't say no." Silence stretched between us like a wire pulled tight. I hated how he made me feel-small and powerful at the same time. Like I was teetering on a knife's edge. "Lucas... we can't do this here." He stepped closer. "I haven't touched you," he said calmly. "But tell me, Eva... when you woke up this morning, who did you think about first?" I looked away. That was enough of an answer. He didn't reach for me. Didn't close the space. But the look in his eyes did more damage than hands ever could. "I want to stop," I whispered. "I really do." "But you won't," he said. "Because you're tired of being someone else's dream when you know you were made to be someone's obsession." Gosh. Why