Office Wars: Love Under Fire

The morning sun cast a golden glow over the office, filtering through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Evelyn sat at her desk, trying to lose herself in work, but her mind kept circling back to the night before. Lucas's words, the brief touch of his hand, and the intensity in his eyes lingered in her thoughts, no matter how much she tried to shake them off.

Her phone buzzed, pulling her out of her reverie. A message from the team lead reminded her of the client presentation scheduled for later that day. She exhaled, grateful for the distraction, and began reviewing her notes.

Lucas was already in the conference room when she arrived, his usual air of authority unshaken. He didn't acknowledge her immediately, his focus on the materials spread before him, but the tension in the air was palpable.

The presentation went smoothly, though Evelyn could feel Lucas's gaze on her throughout, watching her with that same quiet intensity. When it was over, and the clients had left, he lingered behind while the rest of the team filed out.

You did well, he said, his voice breaking the silence as she packed up her things.

She glanced at him, trying to gauge his mood. Thanks.

For a moment, he hesitated, as if weighing his next words. About last night—

It's fine, she interrupted quickly, her tone clipped.

He raised a brow but didn't push. Fine, he said. If that's how you want to play it.

The way he said it made her stomach twist, but she didn't respond. Instead, she turned and walked out, leaving him alone in the room.

Later That Evening – Evelyn's Apartment

Evelyn curled up on the couch, her laptop balanced on her knees. She had planned to spend the evening catching up on work, but her focus was nonexistent. Her thoughts kept drifting to Lucas, to the way his presence unsettled her, to the way he seemed to see right through her.

A knock at the door made her jump. She wasn't expecting anyone, and it was late enough that the interruption felt strange. She hesitated before opening the door, her breath catching when she saw who it was.

Lucas stood there, his expression unreadable but his presence overwhelming.

What are you doing here? she asked, her voice quieter than she intended.

We need to talk, he said simply.

She hesitated, then stepped aside to let him in. He walked past her, his movements deliberate, and stopped in the middle of the room, his back to her.

This isn't a game, Evelyn, he said after a long silence.

I never said it was.

He turned to face her, his eyes searching hers. You've been on my mind, he admitted, his voice low but firm. And I don't know what to do about it.

Her heart pounded in her chest, the weight of his words settling over her like a blanket. She wanted to say something, anything, but the vulnerability in his expression left her speechless.

Lucas took a step closer, the space between them shrinking. I push because I want you to succeed, but somewhere along the way, I started wanting more.

Evelyn's breath hitched, her mind racing as she tried to process his confession. Lucas—

He cut her off, his voice soft but insistent. Tell me to leave, and I will.

She didn't say anything, and in the silence that followed, he stepped closer, his gaze never leaving hers. His hand brushed her cheek, the touch tentative but electric, and the world seemed to fall away.

When his lips met hers, it wasn't rushed or desperate—it was slow, deliberate, a question she couldn't bring herself to refuse.