“Am I…. Interrupting something?”
On impulse, Aurelia pushed off Ezekiel, dread settling within her. Why did the CEO have to catch her in the most compromising position?
“Luke-” she began, her words died with the sharp glare he sent her way. Aurelia pressed her lips together, choosing silence, although it was her only option.
Ezekiel rolled his eyes, rocking on the heels of his sneakers. He played it off with a grin, hiding the fact that he was offended by how Aurelia had shoved him away.
“I see you both are already on a first-name basis.” Ezekiel drawled, sarcasm dripping in his tone.
Luke’s chest burned with rage, but instead of strangling Ezekiel like he’d envisioned a million times in his head, he opened the door wide, shifting his hard glare to the other male.
“Get. Out.” Luke ordered, and Ezekiel scoffed. Luke’s gaze darkened dangerously, a silent warning and Ezekiel matched his glare, but instead of holding a deep frown, his lips spread into a toothy grin.
Aurelia stood between both men, feeling the heavy weight of tension sandwich her. Friends wouldn’t stare each other down like this right? Or has the concept of friendship changed without her knowing? But why was Ezekiel in the office in the first place?
Just as Ezekiel said, a thousand and one questions were printed on Aurelia’s face, and both men noticed this.
“Okay, Okay.” Ezekiel threw in the towel first, raising his hands in mock surrender as he moved to leave. “See you later Aurelia.” He waved, winking at Luke as he brushed past him.
Once he was gone, Luke slammed the door shut. Hard. Causing Aurelia to flinch in her spot. Now they were alone, or rather, now she was trapped with him.
Luke turned to Aurelia, his expression unreadable. Meanwhile, Aurelia looked everywhere but him. She admired the neat shelves, took note of her reflection on the marble floor, and pretended to be amazed at the chandelier hanging from the ceiling.
In all honesty, she just wanted him to yell, scold her, or do anything! It was far better than this excruciating silence, at least she wouldn’t be able to hear her heartbeat ringing in her ears.
Luke narrowed his eyes as he approached her, his chest heaving with calm anger. With each step he took, Aurelia’s heart raced faster, matching each passing second.
She couldn’t dare move, raising her gaze to meet his. His unmatched eyes swept over her slowly, almost as if undressing each layer of clothing on her skin. It made her shiver in anticipation, and he’d yet to touch her.
It was a deep longing that never failed to surprise her, leaving her knees weak and her lungs weaker. She was breathless, taking in his majestic form. This was more than a natural reaction, and she feared for what it was.
Now she was cornered against his desk, just like the time she’d signed the contract that sealed her fate to his. But this time, she was here on her own free will. What was she going to say again? Okay, she was here to ask him to accompany her to Olivia’s wedding. But now that he stood before her, it seemed like a stupid request.
“Luke.” She whispered, not knowing what to do with her hands. Aurelia wanted to touch him, but she couldn’t get her body to move, not when he still held a scowl.
What was she so afraid of?
Was it his anger?
Or was it the fact that he could reject her touch?
Luke eyed her thoughtfully, wrestling the doubtful thoughts that plagued his mind. The image of her in Ezekiel’s arms resurfaces in his mind, and he winces like he’d been hit low in the gut. He had to calm down, he didn’t want to scare her, not after what happened at his house.
Luke vowed to not make the same mistake again, to not let the darkness within him cloud his judgment. He looked at Aurelia, really looking at her, seeing the alluring desire that swelled in her eyes.
Desire for him. She hadn’t looked at Ezekiel like that, only him.
‘That’s what you said the last time.’ Ezekiel’s voice echoed in his mind, taunting him.
Yes, he’d accepted the challenge. The reason was that he needed what he’d lost six years ago, but was he willing to sacrifice his relationship to get it back?
They say the past should remain behind us, so why was he always two steps ahead, robbing him of his present?
If Aurelia was given a choice…would she choose him?
“Can I trust you?” Luke said out of the blue, his voice was cold, but his eyes softened, his hands balling into fists at his sides.
Aurelia’s brows furrowed, his statement confusing her. She pondered on his question, soon realizing he was referring to Ezekiel. Aurelia was suddenly reminded of the night in his car, the fear in his eyes, and the desperation of his touch. It worried her, but she knew she had no right to address it.
They had started this entanglement with a clear label, with directions of use and its precautions if broken.
And this question crossed the bridge between those limits.
It was simple. He didn’t need to ask. And she didn’t have to answer….
But,
“Yes.” Aurelia finally reached out to him, her hand sneaking up his chest to caress his cheek. “You can trust me.”
Trust. The foundation of every relationship, be it business, friendship, or between lovers.
But Luke and Aurelia were none of those, and yet they sealed the promise of trust with a slow kiss.
Luke pressed his lips against hers, feeling the gray fog being lifted off his chest, freeing him most satisfyingly. Her words reassured him in more ways than one.
Luke had never been one to trust people so easily, but this was before he met her, before he memorized the sound of her laughter, noting how her cheeks got fuller each time she smiled.
It was before….. she became all he could think about. Before she became his precious obsession.
The effect she had on him surprised him, and something it scared him. Because he realized she was gradually breaking down his walls. Walls he’d put up for his and her protection.