This needs to stop

KATHERINE POV.

I scribbled furiously in my notebook, trying to focus on the task at hand, but the words blurred on the page.

My hand trembled, and I knew Adrian could sense my struggle because he suddenly asked, “Miss Katherine, are you fine?” His voice was a bit too loud.

Heads turned, eyes on me and a wave of embarrassment and fury surged through me. Son of a bi–“I- I am fine.” I managed to say, my voice barely steady. Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw him smirk.

“You are doing great, Katherine,” he whispered, his breath fanning my ear. It sent a shiver down my spine and I bit back a groan.

I hated how he made me feel, how he had this power over me. But more than anything, I hated how much I wanted him to keep going.

And it felt like the world was against me, because the meeting dragged on, and his hand remained under my skirt, tracing lazy circles on my thigh.

I involuntarily widened my thigh, and a smirk spread across his face.

He gently pinched my lips through my panties and I s*ck*d in a sharp breath. Finally, the meeting concluded, and the executives filed out of the room, their conversations fading into the background.

Adrian finally withdrew his hand. I turned to him, my eyes flashing with a mix of anger and something I didn't want to admit. “What was that?”

He looked at me, his expression calm, almost amused. “What was what?” he asked, feigning ignorance.

“You–” made me horny. The words burned on my tongue, but I swallowed them, choosing safer words. “You knew what you did, and that was completely inappropriate.”

He leaned back in his chair, his gaze never leaving mine. “You seemed tense. I thought it might help.”

I stood up, smoothing my skirt. “You don't get to decide that. You crossed a line, sir.”

He stood up as well, closing the distance between us “Maybe I did,” he said, his voice dropping to a whisper. “But you didn't stop me.”

I glared at him, my pulse racing. “That doesn't make it right,” I shot back, my voice shaking slightly. “You can't just do whatever you want because I didn't stop you.”

His gaze darkened, and I noticed a whiff of something unreadable pass through his eyes. “You're right,” he said, his tone serious now. “But we both know this isn't just about what's right.”

My breath hitched. I wanted to deny it, to tell him he was wrong, but the truth settled itself in my truth. This was forbidden, I've never liked being in a relationship with a younger person.

There was something between us, something I wanted to stop and at the same something I wasn't sure I wanted to control.

He took a step closer. “Tell me to stop, Katherine,” he whispered. “And I will. I will walk away right now and we will go back to being strictly professional.”

My heart thumped in my chest, a series of conflicting emotions running through my mind. I wanted to tell him not to stop. It was forbidden, yes. But I wanted it, I craved it. My mind still reeled over that night.

It was magical, more than anything I had ever felt. His eyes searched mine, looking for an answer, and I could feel the tension between us crackling like a furnace.

Finally, I found my voice, though it was barely above a whisper. “I… can't do this, Adrian.”

His expression softened, but the intensity in his gaze didn't sway. “Can’t or won't?” he asked in a low voice.

“Both.” I admitted, “This isn't right. I have a job to do, a daughter to think about–”

“You think I don't know that?” he interrupted, his tone a bit sharp. “You think I don't realize what's at stake here?”

I blinked, taken aback by the sudden edge in his voice. “Then why—”

“Because I can't stop thinking about you, “ he confessed, his words coming out in a rush. “No matter how hard I try, I can't get you out of my head since that night in the UK.”

His admission left me speechless. For a moment, I just stared at him, he looked vulnerable, nor like anything I've seen since I started working here.

“You're not making this any easier,” I whispered, more to myself than to him.

He let out a short, humorless laugh. “Do you think this is easy for me? I'm risking everything here, Katherine.”

I didn't believe the latter, what could he be risking? I'm the lady, the older one at that, I'm the one risking everything and going back on my principle.

I took a step back, needing that space between us. “This can't go on, it is not right.” I said, shaking my head as if to convince myself..

Adrian watched me, his expression unreadable. “Then, tell me to stop,” he repeated, but I could sense a hint of desperation in his voice that he couldn't quite hide.

I hesitated, the words refusing to roll from my tongue. There was a part of me, a small traitorous side that didn't want him to stop.

That wanted to see where this dangerous affection could lead, even though I knew the path was lined with more pain than pleasure.

But I couldn't. This can't go on, not only would I go against my principle of going out with younger guys, I would risk everything.

I squared my shoulder and met his gaze head-on. “This has to stop, Adrian. Whatever this is, It can go on.”

For a moment, he didn't say anything, just stared at me with an intensity that made my heart ache. Why should he feel that way? He had a fiance after all.

He nodded slowly, a look of resignation settled on his face. “If that's what you want,” he said quietly.

“It's what needs to happen,” I corrected, trying to keep a poker face.

Adrian held my gaze for a long moment and I kept my expression firm lest he saw any sign of doubt. “Okay, we will stop,” he said with a low voice.