15

Chapter 15 – Darcy’s POV

Then I moved in...

Controlling my inner desires but deciding to check on her to find out why Pink slept earlier than usual although I knew the reason I moved was because of the attractions I felt.

I forced myself to move, to break the strange hold that kept me still at the entrance admiring instead of getting to it. Not taking chances.

The pull of attraction inside me was too strong, clawing at my control, telling me to grab her in the room, to touch her, to give in to every thought running through my head. But I was Darcy Rodrigo. I didn’t lose control. I didn’t give in to urges.

Even when every part of me wanted to explore this moment, hold her at her waist and lure her to make out with me...

But I cleared my throat, the sound loud in the quiet room.

Adrian jumped in surprise. Too fast. She forgot that she was leaning under the toy chest. Her head hit the edge with a dull thud as she was about to move the toy slipped her. Sharp sounds of pain and crack as her body hit the floor.

“Damn it,” she hissed, holding the back of her head.

Desire disappeared, replaced by concern. My heart kicked hard in my chest as I hurried to her.

“Adrian, I’m sorry,” I said, as I reached where she fell on the floor. “I didn’t mean to scare you, I'm sorry.”

Apologies I haven't said to anyone in years rushed out of my mouth frequently.

She bent forward,her eyes shut tight, her face a bit filled with pain. “It’s fine,” she said through her teeth. “I’m fine.”

“Let me see.” I reached for her, but she moved back.

“Really. It’s nothing. Just a bump.”

“Adrian.” My voice was firm. “You hit your head hard and you fell down too. I caused it. Let me check.”

“I said I’m fine,” she repeated, though I saw her blinking fast, she swayed slightly.

“And I said let me see.” This time I didn’t wait. I gently turned her toward me. “You could have a concussion. Don’t ignore it.”

“It’s just a bump,” her voice, low.

“Please.” The words, softer. “ Adrian, Let me check if you’re alright. I’d not be happy with myself if you were really hurt because of me.”

Her lips pressed tight as if she was holding back another protest. I could see the battle on her face. Pride fighting against common sense.

I gave her one more option. “Five minutes. And If it's fine, I’ll leave it. Deal?”

Her shoulders dropped. She sighed then continued, “Fine. Five minutes.”

Relief ran through me. “Good. Come on. Let's get to the bathroom.”

I assisted her stand on her feet then I placed my hand lightly on her small back to guide her. My hands were meant to keep her stable, nothing more.

It was just a small touch, but I still feel a rush of attraction or desire.

Her body was warm on my hands making my whole body react, like a jolt of excitement ran through me.

The bathroom had bright lights and polished, all marble and chrome.

I assisted her sit on the edge of the tub. Then I searched in the cabinet, getting antiseptic, cotton, and a towel.

“This isn’t needed,” she muttered again, though her voice was softer.

“Humor me,” I said, crouching behind her. Carefully, I parted her hair. A lump had already formed. A small cut broke the skin.

“You’re bleeding a little,” I told her.

“Really, how bad?,” she asked.

"Not that bad," I replied

Then I wetted the towel on my hand and pressed it gently to the spot. She flinched at the first touch, sucking in a breath.

“Sorry,” I said. “I’ll be very gentle.”

“It’s fine,” she whispered. “ Thank you.”

I kept cleaning slowly, careful not to hurt her. The cut was shallow. Not serious. But it would hurt for days.

Being this close was its own kind of pain. Her nice body scent filled my nose, it was light and floral with something warmer. My fingers touched her face, and she shivered.

And suddenly, I was somewhere else.

Three years ago. That hotel room.

Her beneath me, her dark hair spread on the pillow like a halo. Her parted lips as I kissed her. The small, sweet sounds she made—gasps, her soft moans that burned into my mind that I still remembered.

I had tried to be gentle. I knew she was drunk, not fully aware. But I didn’t stop myself.

I memorized everything—the curve of her waist,even the way her body had arched when I touched her. And the small birthmark on her left breast, a mark I’d never forgotten.

The thoughts were so clear it felt like yesterday. The sound of her breathing. The way she moved under me.

And now she was here. Sitting in front of me. Vulnerable. Trusting.

She didn’t know I was that man. She didn’t know I was the one who had taken her virginity that night. I paid for her services.

But to try to find her. To make amends. To carry the guilt that never left me.

I was a monster. I should tell her. I should confess.

But my body betrayed me, heat building in my chest and lower, my blood rushing with memory. I shifted slightly, glad she couldn’t see from this angle.

Focus.

“How does it feel?” I asked, my voice rougher than I wanted.

“Sore,” she admitted. “But you were right. It was smart to check.”

I applied antiseptic on the cut. She barely flinched this time.

“You might get a headache tomorrow. Take ibuprofen before bed,” I told her. "I'll send Leo to get the medication for you."

“Yes, doctor,” she said with a faint smile in her voice.

Time paused for a while.

I should have stopped. Should have pulled back. But instead, I moved around to face her. My hands stayed on her shoulders carefully.

Her eyes lifted to mine, and the air shifted. Electric. Her lips parted, her breaths short. Her gray eyes glowed in the bathroom light.

Those lips. I remembered their taste, soft and sweet. I remembered her sounds.

Would she respond the same way now? This thought raced in my mind.

“Darcy,” she whispered, my name barely more than air.

I leaned closer without thinking. The distance shrank. My gaze dropped to her mouth. She licked her lips nervously, innocent, unknowing—but the simple act almost broke me. It set me on fire.

Just one kiss. Just one chance to feel her lips without lies, without guilt, without the past between us.

Her eyes fluttered closed. She leaned closer to me, the same pull pulling us both. Pulling our lips together. Just another inch—

She jerked back. Her eyes widened. She stood quickly, putting her hands between us.

“I have to go...go,” she stammered. “Thank you for… for checking. I’m fine now.”

The moment was crushed. Reality crashed back in.

What was I thinking? She was my employee. I was investigating her. And worse—I carried a secret she deserved to know before anything ever happened.

“Adrian...” I began, but she was already moving toward the door.

She hurried up to escape this moment, and didn't even bother cleaning up the toys anymore.

“Goodnight, Darcy,” she said, not looking at me. Then she was gone.

I stood in silence, my chest rising and falling at once, my body tight with unspent need.

I held the counter and the mirror caught my reflection. My hair was in a mess. I haven't even showered or rested since I got back from work.

my jaw set, my eyes darker than I liked to admit. I was on the edge of breaking.

Because I was.

I had almost kissed her. I almost lost the control I had promised myself I would keep. And the worst part? I didn’t regret it. Not one bit.

The investigation will be finished soon. Mark would uncover the truth—about her conviction, about the person who framed her, about everything. Then I’d have to choose what to do.

But this was bigger than the case. This pulls between us. This desire grew stronger each day. This secret I carried could ruin her trust forever.

I thought of the way she looked at me just now. Like the desired the same thing. Her wide eyes with her lips that parted. She had felt it too. She was ready to let me kiss her.

But she had pulled away. She had stopped it before I could.

Smart woman.

I left the bathroom and followed her up knowing I wouldn’t sleep if I didn't get my pleasures satisfied. I would lie awake thinking of her. Thinking of that night three years ago. Thinking of how she made me crave for her touch.

Adrian Martinez was dangerous. Not because of her past. Not because of her record. But because she made me feel alive again. She made me believe in things I thought I had killed inside myself.

And that terrified me more than anything else.