Whispers Beneath The Sheets

eath tasks, reports, and endless coffee. But he was everywhere. His company's logo stared at her from files, his name echoed in meeting

d hersel

a tricky thing. It didn't knock politely at the door-it seeped in through the cracks, whispering a

dquarters again, this time without her boss. She told herself she could handle i

e arranged her notes, steadied her breathing, and repeat

oor o

his dark hair slightly tousled as though he'd run a hand through it impatiently. His eyes found

thly, his voice lower than t

ed, forcing her tone into s

e sat across from her but leaned back in his chair, studying her lik

o determined when you walk into a room, o

. "This is a business meeting. I'

ied, but the amusement i

didn't make it easy. He listened, yes, but his eyes lingered on her too long, his fingers tapped slowly against the table as though

drian didn't comment-he simply leaned forward, resting his

t tell me, Amelia...... do you always speak as though you'

caught. "

e said, rising from his chair. "But there

melia forced herself not to shrink back

ppropriate,"

e kiss...... ye

ow, close enough that she could smell the faint scent of

me," she said, though her

hand brushed against hers on the table, the contact fl

ing so loud she was sure he could hear it. She pull

she said, ris

with quiet authority. His gaze softened, almost imperceptibly.

breath

h pleasure," she said, de

ened. "Then let's f

embling hands. Her escape was graceless, but she d

..

her, the way his voice dropped when he said her name. He was right. She was

e buzzed

er: You forg

d: her pen, sitting neatly on the co

could return it.

ges. Block the number. Pretend this never happened. But her body betr

rd before she co

lia

y came i

r: That's not

in her pillow. Why couldn't he just leave

..

heartedly at her salad. Claire was animated, recounting a date with som

rong?" Cl

g," Ame

llie...... don't tell me you'

ent. That was eno

. He's texting you, isn't

o," Amelia de

nd

n't take it a

ntil you give in. Millie, you can't entertain this. He's l

ile she didn't fee

harp with worry. "Promis

outh... but the pro

..

with every step she took through the city streets.

k car waited

gainst it, Ad

d, but he didn't seem to care. When his eyes me

ere," she said, app

admitted. "But I

hy

you int

. "I'm not one of yo

ot. That's what ma

he wanted to scream, to demand he leave her life, bu

. "The truth? I don't know yet. But I

o walk away, to protect herself. But another voice whisper

opened the car door. Adrian gestured

dge of temptation, her he

oed again. Don't let

hand, steady and sure, Amelia

..

re. The lighting was low, the atmosphere intimate without being ostentatious

her work, her childhood, and her favorite books. He listened-tru

fascinate me, Amelia. You pretend to be ordinary, bu

ught. "You do

he said. "B

he walked her back to her apartment building and wished

r and leaned against

lt like she was standing on the edge of a

f her want