Forbidden Flames: A Tale of Desire and Deception

with its relentless energy, but the whispers among colleagues had grown sharper, their eyes tracking her every move. Victoria Langston's latest text-He's mine-burned in Elise's memory, a taun

r thoughts kept circling back to his words yesterday: Trust is a risk, Elise. Are you willing to take it? The question had felt like a dare

mussed, as if he'd been wrestling with a problem, and his gray eyes found hers with a weight that made her breath catch. "Miss Harper,"

r through her. "I'll have the analytics ready," she said

ng hint of that rare smile.

e a hiss. "You're getting cozy with the boss, aren't you? Don't think we haven

kept her tone cool. "I'm here

enomous. "Keep tell

ail from Victoria to Alexander-We can rebuild what we had-played on a loop, each word a spark to her jealousy. She

t he motioned for her to stay. She set the folder on his desk, their eyes meeting briefly, a silent current passing between them.

r phone buzzed with another text from Victoria: He's meeting me tonight. You're not invited. – V. The words

ght work session, her nerves fraying. She swapped her blazer for a fitted sweater, the soft fabric a smal

is desk, his tie loosened, sleeves rolled up to reveal strong forearms. "The merger's at a t

e proximity was intoxicating, each accidental touch a spark that threatened to ignite. "These cl

"You're right. You always are." His tone was softer n

r," she said, her voice trembling, using his name for the f

voice low, fervent. "She wants control, not me. But you..." He reached for her hand, h

e buzzed, Victoria's name flashing. Elise silenced it, her choice clear. The fire of doubt