A Forbidden Affair - Too Close

While it was just a simple conversation, his personality confuses her.

This version of Jayden didn’t match the one she had seen on the first day; he seemed more like a Playboy type, not a sweet guy who takes a girl out for a cozy date.

“You’re quiet; what's wrong?" he said suddenly, stirring his drink.

Lena looked up. “Maybe I just don’t have anything to say to you.”

“Lying doesn't suit you; your expression gives you away."

Her brows lifted slightly. "You think you know me?”

“You’ve been thinking,” he said, leaning back in his chair. “I can tell.”

She looked away, taking a sip of her drink to avoid answering.

He wasn’t wrong.

That was the problem.

By the time they left, the sun had gone lower, casting a soft orange glow across the streets.

The walk back to the car made her feel uneasy knowing they were about to be alone at home together.

Lena wasn’t paying attention to where she was stepping until her foot caught slightly on the uneven pavement.

Before she could react, Jayden’s hand closed around her waist, steadying her.

For a moment, everything stilled.

His grip was firm.

Lena’s breath hitched softly as she looked up at him.

They were closer than they had ever been.

 Or more than they should be.

“You okay?” he asked, his voice filled with concern.

She nodded quickly, but he didn’t let go.

His fingers lingered just a second longer than necessary, sliding slightly against her dress. before he finally released her.

The small contact sent an unfamiliar heat rushing through her.

Lena swallowed.

“I’m fine,” she said, her voice shaking.

Jayden watched her carefully, like he was noticing every little reaction.

That made it worse.

The drive back felt different.

Lena sat still, staring out the window, but she was painfully aware of him, his presence,  the way his hand rested on the gear, and how close they were.

"What is going on in your mind?" he said.

She exhaled slowly. “You talk too much.”

He chuckled softly. “And you feel too much.”

Her head turned sharply toward him. “You don’t know anything about what I feel.”

“Don’t I?” he murmured.

Their eyes met briefly before she looked away again.

This was dangerous, and she knew it.

When they got back to the house, Lena stepped out quickly, needing space.

But Jayden followed.

Of course he did.

“Lena.”

She stopped at the sound of her name, turning slightly.

“What?”

He took a few steps closer, closing the distance between them again.

“Relax,” he said. “You look like you’re about to run.”

“Maybe I should,” she replied, crossing her arms.

“Why?” he asked, tilting his head. “Because of me?”

She didn’t answer.

The silence gave the answer.

Jayden’s gaze softened.

“I’m not going to do anything you don’t want,” he said quietly.

That should have reassured her.

Instead, it made her heart beat faster.

“Good,” she said, though it came out weaker than she intended.

He stepped closer.

Now there was barely any space between them.

Lena’s breath caught.

“Then why are you nervous?” he asked, his voice almost a whisper.

“I’m not.”

“You are.”

“I’m not,” she insisted, even as her pulse betrayed her.

Jayden’s hand lifted slowly.

Lena tensed.

But instead of anything inappropriate, his fingers brushed lightly against a loose strand of her hair, tucking it behind her ear.

The gesture was simple.

And somehow… worse than anything else.

Her breath faltered.

“See?” he murmured. “You feel it too.”

Lena’s eyes widened slightly. “Feel what?”

He held her gaze, unflinching.

“This.”

The word lingered between them.

Unspoken things fill the air.

For a second, just one reckless moment, neither of them moved.

The faint scent of his cologne.

The slow rise and fall of his chest.

The way his eyes dropped briefly to her lips before returning to her eyes.

Her heart slammed harder against her ribs.

And for a terrifying moment…

She didn’t step back.

Jayden seemed to notice.

His hand, still hovering near her face, lowered slowly, his fingers grazing her arm, softer this time, almost testing.

“Jayden…” she whispered, though she wasn’t sure if it was a warning or something else.

His name had never sounded like that on her lips before.

Tempting.

Something flickered in his eyes; he tilted his head and dived for her lips.

But Lena stepped back abruptly, breaking whatever had just formed.

“This is wrong,” she said quickly, her voice sharper now, like she was trying to convince herself more than him. “You’re Richard’s son, my boyfriend’s son.”

“And you’re happy being his girlfriend,” Jayden replied calmly.

"Yeah, why wouldn't I?"

"Really?"

Her chest tightened.

“Yes.”

But it didn’t sound convincing.

Not even to her.

Jayden studied her for a long moment before taking a step back, giving her space again.

“Let's go inside,” he said finally. 

She didn’t hesitate this time.

Later that night, Lena sat on her bed, her mind wandering.

She touched her arm absentmindedly, right where he had held her earlier.

She could still feel it.

The warmth.

“This is crazy,” she whispered to herself.

She stood up, pacing the room slowly.

What had that been?

A moment?

Or mistake?

She stopped in front of the mirror, staring at her reflection.

“You’re with Richard, his father,” she said out loud, as if saying it would stop the feeling.

Then why didn’t it feel enough right now?

Her stomach twisted at the thought.

"No." She shook her head. “You’re just tired. That’s all.”

I wish Richard were here right now, she thought to herself, and she sighed and closed her eyes.

But when she closed her eyes, it wasn’t darkness she saw.

It was Jayden.

The way he looked at her.

Lena opened her eyes quickly, her breath uneven.

“This has to stop,” she whispered firmly.

It had to.

But as she lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling

once more…

The truth settled in quietly; she wasn't sure she would hold back next time if they were that close again.