The office felt different after that meeting...

Daniel had always been in my head, but now it was worse. Every glance, every passing interaction.. it all felt charged, laced with an unspoken challenge. I told myself I was imagining it, that he wasn’t actually playing a game with me. But I knew better. And he knew I knew.

A week from now, we’d be flying to New York for a five-night business trip—just the two of us. The weight of that fact sat heavily in my mind, an unshakable presence that made it impossible to ignore what was happening between us. I told myself it wasn’t happening. It couldn’t be happening. I was married. A mother. But Daniel was relentless.

I was at my desk, buried in reports, when his email came through:

Conference Room 3. Now.

No explanation. No context. Just that.

My stomach tightened as I glanced around. The office was quiet, most people were still working remotely, leaving the open floor feeling empty, like it belonged to just the two of us.I hesitated before pushing back my chair, smoothing my skirt as I made my way to the conference room. The door was ajar, and as I stepped inside, I found him standing by the window, hands in his pockets, his gaze fixed on the city skyline.

He didn’t turn immediately. Didn’t acknowledge me right away. The anticipation stretched, thick and deliberate, before he finally shifted, his dark eyes locking onto mine.

“Close the door.”

I swallowed hard, hesitating for only a second before obeying. The soft click of the latch felt deafening in the quiet room. He leaned back against the table, arms folding across his chest. “We need to go over the schedule for next week.” I nodded quickly, grateful for the return to professionalism. “Of course. I—”

“Are you nervous?”

The question caught me off guard, stealing my words. My lips parted, but I had no immediate response. His head tilted slightly, watching me. “You’ve been distracted. I need you sharp in New York.”

I stiffened. “I’m always sharp.”

His lips curved, just slightly. “Prove it.”

I frowned, unsure what he meant, but then he pushed off the table, closing the space between us with measured steps. My breath hitched as he stopped just short of touching me, his presence overwhelming.

“You’re in your head too much,” he murmured, his voice low, coaxing. “I need you focused.”

“I am focused.” The words came out too quickly, too defensive, and his smirk deepened.

His gaze dropped, flicking over me, deliberate and slow. “Are you?”

I clenched my fists at my sides, determined not to react. Not to give him the satisfaction of knowing what he was doing to me. He leaned in... just enough that I could feel his breath against my cheek. “Next week, we’ll be in meetings from morning to night. Long days. Late nights.” His voice was smooth, even, but every syllable carried something unspoken. Something dangerous. “You sure you’re ready for that?”

I swallowed, forcing myself to nod. “Of course.”

He lingered, close enough to unravel me without ever laying a hand on me, before finally stepping back. The absence of his heat left me colder than I wanted to admit.

“Good.” He picked up his phone from the table, his expression unreadable. “I’ll send over the agenda. Go through it and let me know if you have any concerns.”

I nodded again, my pulse still erratic as I turned toward the door.

“Oh, and—”

I stopped, glancing back. His eyes were sharp, amused. “Pack something nice. We’ll be attending a formal dinner while we’re there.” I swallowed hard. “Noted.” He gave me one last look before returning his attention to his phone, dismissing me without a word.

I left the conference room, my legs unsteady, my thoughts a tangled mess. A week.... Just one more week until New York.

And I had a feeling that whatever this was… it was only just beginning.