Chapter 5

The sharp, incessant knocking yanked Lena from the depths of sleep.

She groaned, rolling over and burying her face in the pillow. Her body ached—from the long night of filming, the car ride that had ended in something far too intimate, and the way her thoughts had tangled into knots ever since. Every part of her craved five more minutes.

Bang. Bang. Bang.

“Ugh, I’m coming!” she snapped, dragging herself out of bed. Her legs protested, sore and shaky, and she glanced at herself in the mirror on her way to the door. Her hair was a mess, her eyes puffy with sleep, and her oversized tee was hanging off one shoulder like she’d just survived a hurricane.

She opened the door, squinting at the morning sun—and there stood Evan. Bright-eyed, fresh-faced, and holding a brown paper bag that smelled like heaven.

“Whoa,” he laughed, stepping inside. “Must’ve been one hell of a girls’ night.”

“Huh?” she blinked, still groggy as she closed the door.

“Girls’ night,” he repeated, already heading to the kitchen like he lived there—which, technically, he sort of did. “What’d you guys do, have an epic pillow fight and destroy the place?”

Her mind clicked. Right. The excuse she’d given him last night about crashing at a friend’s place.

“Oh. Yeah. Girls’ night was wild,” she muttered, yawning.

He glanced back at her with a teasing smile. “Figured. You look like you fought a tornado and lost.”

She playfully punched his arm as she followed him into the kitchen.

“Since we missed dinner yesterday, I brought breakfast.” He held up the bag like it was a peace offering. “Thought we could eat together before work.”

“That’s really sweet, Evan. Thank you.” She gave him a warm hug, letting her body rest against his for a moment longer than intended. But as she tried to pull back, he tilted her chin and kissed her.

It was soft at first, familiar. But then his hands were at her waist, slipping under her shirt. The kiss deepened and she felt his hand grip her breast.

She gently pushed him away. “Evan… I’m really tired. I don’t think I can right now.”

He stepped back instantly, eyes wide and apologetic. “Oh. Oh no, it’s okay. That’s not very thoughtful of me.”

“It’s not that I don’t want to,” she rushed to say. “I’m just… sore. I didn’t sleep well. And I’m kinda out of it.”

He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “I understand.”

Silence fell between them as he unpacked the food. The eggs smelled amazing, and the toast was still warm, but guilt settled heavy in Lena’s chest. It had been a while since they were last intimate. And Evan had always been patient, supportive—even before she had this new job that came with secrets and late nights.

They sat at the small kitchen table, eating in silence.

After breakfast, he waited for her to get ready. She emerged in a fitted black pencil skirt and a silky blouse, minimal makeup, hair pulled back. She was polished, professional—but felt anything but.

Evan drove her to work, his hand resting on the gear shift, not reaching for hers like usual.

“Have a good day, babe,” he said quietly, not looking at her as she unbuckled.

“Thanks,” she replied with a small smile. “You too.”

She stepped out of the car, her heels clicking on the pavement. The guilt still lingered like fog around her, but she pushed it down. She’d make it up to him. Tonight, maybe. Or tomorrow. When she wasn’t exhausted, confused, and feeling like two different women.

Right now, she needed to focus on work.

She smoothed her skirt, and took a steadying breath in front of the big oak doors. Whatever awkwardness lingered with Evan would have to wait. Her job—her other life—was waiting.

She knocked on the doors but there was no answer. She waited a few moments before gently pushing the handle open. She walked in, closing the door behind her but stopped in her tracks when she heard something.

The sound of her own moans!