I SHOULDN'T WANT YOU

 ZAYDEN

I thought that keeping my distance would somehow extinguish the forbidden flames that had been quietly ignited the moment Scarlett stepped into my life. She was my best friend’s daughter—someone I’d always regarded as family. I watched her grow up, protected her like my own. But as the years passed and she blossomed into a woman, something shifted. Unsettling feelings surfaced—feelings I buried deep beneath layers of guilt and logic, convincing myself they were nothing more than fleeting confusion.

Pushing her toward Vincent, my son, felt like the only way to keep myself in check. If she belonged to him, I could let go. I could pretend. But fate clearly had other plans, cruel and twisted in the way it worked—placing her back in my life, in my space, and far too close for comfort.

Now, with Scrateltt working as my secretary, each day became a battle I never signed up for. Her presence was intoxicating—her scent clung to the air long after she left the room, a constant reminder of the temptation I tried so hard to resist. I told myself over and over that professionalism was all that mattered. That I was older, wiser, and responsible. But the truth was brutal.

My restraint faltered with every glance, every accidental touch, every time her eyes found mine and lingered just a second too long. She didn’t even have to try. Just being her was enough to unravel every bit of discipline I’d spent years building.

I shouldn’t have hired her. I shouldn’t have let her into this office. But now she was here, wearing that tight black dress like she didn’t even know what she was doing to me.

No.

She knew.

I tried to breathe, tried to focus on the meeting, but I could feel her eyes on me from the other side of the boardroom. Her lips were slightly parted. Her legs crossed. Her scent filled the room like a silent song.

"Are you alright, Mr. Zayden?" one of the board members asked.

I blinked, straightened up. "Yes. I'm fine. Please, go on."

But I wasn’t. I was anything but fine.

Scarlett had changed her clothes before walking into this meeting. The dress she had on now hugged every curve, dipped low in the front, and stopped high on her thighs. This wasn’t an accident. This was war.

I dropped my pen.

She was faster. She bent forward, picked it up, and just as I reached for it, her fingers brushed mine. And then under the table—God help me—she grazed her hand against my thigh.

I stiffened.

My entire body felt hot. Tense. Like a dam about to break.

The rest of the meeting passed in a blur. I didn’t hear anything. My eyes didn’t leave her. My mind was gone. As soon as the board clapped, signaling the end, I stood.

"Scarlett. My office. Now."

She smiled. Sweet. Innocent. But her eyes... her eyes were fire.

We walked fast. I didn’t care who saw. I didn’t care what they thought. As soon as the door closed behind us, I turned.

"What the hell was that?" I snapped.

She tilted her head. "What do you mean?"

I stepped closer. My hands clenched. "You know exactly what I mean. The dress. The way you touched me. In the middle of a meeting, Scarlett. What game are you playing?"

Her voice was soft. Almost teasing. "Is it working?"

My chest tightened. My jaw clenched.

"You think this is funny? Do you know how dangerous this is for both of us?"

She stepped forward, slow, deliberate. "You said you didn’t want me. But your body says otherwise."

"Stop it."

"No. You stop lying."

I backed away. She followed.

"Scarlett. I’m your father-in-law."

"And I’m your secretary now. That’s all people see. What they don’t see is what we feel. What you feel. I know you want me, Zayden. I feel it every time you look at me."

I ran a hand through my hair. "You’re married to my son."

"A marriage you pushed me into."

She was right. I thought it would kill the desire. But it only made it worse. Seeing her every day, smiling like nothing happened. Knowing we shared a night neither of us forgot.

And now she was here. In my office. Close.

Too close.

"This is wrong," I said, voice low. Weak.

"But it feels right," she whispered.

And then she kissed me.

I didn’t move. Couldn’t.

Her lips pressed against mine. Soft. Sweet. Like a dream I wasn’t supposed to have.

I grabbed her arms. "Stop."

"Why? Because it scares you?"

"Yes! It does!"

"Good. That means it’s real."

Her words shattered whatever control I had left.

I pulled her into me, kissed her back hard. My hands tangled in her hair, her back pressed against the wall. Her moan vibrated through my chest.

This wasn’t gentle. This wasn’t careful.

It was desperate.

We were both shaking.

I slid my hands down her sides, gripped her hips. Her dress was riding up, and I didn’t stop it.

"We shouldn’t," I whispered.

"Then stop," she dared.

I couldn’t.

I kissed down her neck, tasting her skin. She gasped, her nails digging into my shirt.

"Zayden…"

She breathed my name like a sin.

I lifted her, carried her to the couch.

She wrapped her legs around me.

We didn’t speak. Words would ruin it.

I unzipped her dress. She pulled my shirt over my head. Her skin was hot. Soft. My hands trembled as I touched her.

We came together like fire meeting gasoline. Everything burned. Fast. Wild. Unstoppable.

The moment we reached the edge, she held onto me like she’d fall apart if she didn’t.

And I let go.

We stayed like that. Breathing hard. Hearts racing.

Then I stood.

I couldn’t look at her.

"This can’t happen again," I muttered.

"You said that before," she said softly.

"I mean it this time."

I picked up my shirt, threw it on.

She didn’t move. She sat there, hair a mess, dress loose, lips red and swollen. Her eyes locked on mine.

"What are you afraid of, Zayden? That you’ll want me again?"

I didn’t answer.

I walked out of the office, shutting the door behind me.

I leaned against the wall.

My heart pounded like a war drum.

What have I done?

And why… why do I want to do it again?