Forbidden Desire In Velvet Shadows

“I’m busy, Lex. I have to take care of the documents for tomorrow morning’s meeting.”

“But it’s already late. Doesn’t your body need rest?” Alexi’s hand traced the firm chest of her lover. “I need you too, Arron,” she whined as she sat on his lap, leaning in to kiss his lips.

Arron cupped the back of her neck, savoring the intimate kiss. Their closeness grew more intense on the sofa, his hand roaming over Alexi’s smooth back, the beautiful, sexy woman who had been by his side for a year. “Enough. Let me finish this first. Go to sleep, I’ll join you later.”

Disappointment crossed Alexi’s face as Arron paused their intimacy, her eyes heavy, caught between anger and hurt. “All right. Don’t take too long, darling. I want you,” she whispered as she slid off his lap.

“I want you too. Wait for me.” Arron desperately wanted to spend the night with her, but he could not delay the mountain of work. He let Alexi go to her room.

Inside the bedroom, Alexi stood on the balcony wearing a thin, short black lingerie set. The night air was cold. It was already eleven, yet her lover was busy with work while she longed for warmth.

“Damn it, I’m so turned on,” she muttered.

She picked up her phone to look for a video. While waiting, her gaze drifted aimlessly until she accidentally caught sight of a scene from another room, clearly visible.

“Damn it,” she cursed when she saw the silhouette of a couple making love on a balcony. She tried to force her eyes away.

The next day, Alexi went to the salon to beautify herself, not just her face but also the most intimate parts of her body. Tonight, she wanted to look perfect. A cake with Happy Anniversary written on it sat on the table, the lights already turned off.

A mini dress hugged her slender figure, her lipstick slightly heavier to enhance her look. “Tonight, I’m yours, Darling,” Alexi said to the mirror, imagining Arron standing before her.

She sent him a message saying she had prepared a romantic dinner and waited for his arrival. “Ah, I’m nervous.”

Ten o’clock came and went, and Alexi grew restless as Arron still had not arrived. She sent another message, but it did not go through. She tried calling him, but his phone was off.

“Is he working late? Why didn’t he tell me anything?” Alexi bit her fingertip, her heart uneasy as her thoughts spiraled. She glanced at her watch. It was already past midnight.

Unable to wait any longer, Alexi decided to go to Arron’s office, which was close to their place. A thick jacket wrapped around her body as she stepped into the cold night air.

Arron’s car was still parked in the building’s lot. “He’s still at the office. Maybe his phone is dead, that’s why he couldn’t tell me.”

She tried calling again, and this time it connected. Relief washed over her, but the call was rejected, making her irritation flare. Soon after, a message notification appeared on her screen.

(I can’t answer your call, I’m in a meeting. Don’t wait up, darling. Go to sleep first. I love you.) Along with the message, Arron sent a photo of a desk piled with papers.

“Hah, you’re ignoring our anniversary for your work, Arron. But I’m already here.” Alexi slipped her phone into her bag. Not wanting everything to be in vain, she still entered the building, carrying a bouquet with a photo of the two of them together.

Working at the same company, just in different buildings, gave Alexi access inside. She also knew exactly where Arron’s office was.

The high heels she had worn at home were replaced with flats, making her steps soundless.

When she reached her lover’s floor, Alexi walked toward one room whose light was still on. It was dim, probably just a desk lamp, and she knew it was Arron’s office.

Five meters away, the light inside suddenly went out. The darkness startled her, but she did not stop walking.

When she reached the door, she saw silhouettes behind the curtained glass. Her brow furrowed in curiosity. Alexi peeked through the crack in the door.

She narrowed her eyes to focus, then the sounds she heard made it hard for air to reach her lungs. She saw her lover with another woman, making love, seeking pleasure from each other as moans filled the room, completely unaware of her presence.

Tightness and pain struck at once. Her eyes burned, tears pooling at the edges. “Arron,” she murmured his name. Her heart shattered. She clenched the bouquet as if she could crush the stems in her hand.

She lowered her gaze to the flowers, tears falling uncontrollably. She took a long breath, then lifted her head, forcing the tears back. The corner of her lips lifted into a smile, not joyful, but bitter.

After regaining control, she stepped forward and slowly opened the door. Leaning against the doorframe, she became a witness to her lover having sex with the woman beneath him.

Alexi suppressed a wave of nausea as the overlapping moans echoed. “Wow, what a beautiful sight. Incredible.”

Arron, who had his eyes closed, snapped them open. He squinted toward the doorway.

When the lights suddenly came on, the figure there made his breathing grow even more ragged. “Alexi.” He pushed the woman off him.

Alexi’s eyes widened when she saw they were both naked. She forced herself to stand tall, straightening her back, lifting her chin, her eyes narrowing.

“So this is what you meant by a meeting?” Alexi hurled the bouquet hard toward Arron. “A meeting to plant seeds?”

“Lexi.” Arron grabbed his clothes at random and moved to approach her. But…

“Arron.” The woman who had been with him grabbed his hand. “Remember your career.”

Alexi tilted her head to see who the woman was. “Oh, you’re sleeping with your widowed manager? What did she say, your career? You’re willing to do all this for work? I never thought you could be this low.” Alexi’s voice was calm, yet cutting. Her heart broke even further when she realized who the woman was.

Arron dragged a hand roughly through his hair. “Lexi, listen to me.” He stepped closer. “I was forced to do it to get promoted. I feel nothing,” he whispered.

“But you enjoyed it. You betrayed us, Arron. You forgot that tonight is our anniversary. You chose that slut over me?”

“She’s my boss, Lexi. Calm down. I swear I di–”

The sharp sound of a slap landed squarely on Arron’s cheek. “You’re a bastard, Arron. I hate you.” Alexi turned and left his office.

Arron growled, his jaw tightening. He faced an impossible choice, his lover or his boss. He had never imagined Alexi would follow him to the office. All he could hear was the sound of running footsteps echoing down the corridor. He knew how shattered her heart was.

“She’s gone, Arron. Isn’t that more profitable?” Nathalie stroked his back down to his flat stomach, pressing a soft kiss beneath his ear. “I’ll recommend you to the higher-ups for a promotion,” she added, her hand roaming over his chest. “Let’s finish our meeting tonight, okay?” She rose on her toes and looped her arms around his neck.

Arron drew a long breath and let it out slowly. He turned and looked at the older woman’s face. His smile returned. “I hope you’re not lying to me, Nath.”

“Have I ever lied to you? You’re in this division because of me.”