Chapter 3 A Beautiful Mistake

[Elena's POV]

A Mistake We'll Totally Forget.

I stared into Hardin's eyes.

My words echoed in my mind and the intensity in his gaze mirrored my own turmoil.

He released me, and my heart skipped as he stepped back. Was he angry about what I had just said?

"Hardin... " I whispered, my voice trembling.

"You want to take off my clothes, right?" he said, raising his hands slightly, his eyes never leaving mine.

My fingers twisted at my sides, yearning to reach for him.

"Come on..." he muttered, his voice low and inviting.

A thrill coursed through me. I couldn't let this chance slip away-the chance to touch the man I had watched from the shadows for years.

Slowly, I sank to my knees, closing the distance between us. My throat tightened as my hands reached for his buttons. I didn't break eyes contact as I unfastened his shirt, letting it fall aside.

My palm grew damp as I traced the firm lines of his chest. Then I leaned in, pressing a kiss against his skin, my pulse racing.

His arms came around me, pulling me closer. I felt his breath warm against my skin, igniting something deep inside me.

"Don't stop," he muttered. "Do whatever you want with me. I'm all yours for this moment," he muttered, his voice calm yet filled with urgency.

My breath caught as a faint smile tugged at my lips.

I wanted to tell him how I felt.

But I had no idea what it would change between us.

I leaned in, capturing his lips with mine, and he responded with equal fervor, our tongues dancing together.

As the kiss deepened, I pushed him back onto the bed, breaking the connection. He chuckled darkly, a sound that sent shivers down my spine.

Every nerve in my body lit up at the heat between us.

I pulled off his shorts, my heart racing as I took him in, then bit my lip, rolling my hair into a bun, and securing it with a band around my wrist.

With a deliberate slowness, I climbed onto him, kissing my way down his chest. My hands trembling as I cupped his cock gently.

"Don't worry. I'll be careful," I reassured him, watching as he relaxed under my touch.

I leaned in, kissing the tip before taking him into my mouth, my eyes locked on his.

He bit his tongue, and the sight fueled my confidence.

With a deep breath, I took him fully, feeling him hit the back of my throat. My vision blurred, and he groaned, the sound sending waves of pleasure through me.

"You're such a good girl, Elena. Faster," he urged, his voice thick with desire.

I didn't hesitate. I quickened my pace, choking slightly as saliva dripped from the corner of my lips. My hair fell loose around my face.

He grunted, tangling his fingers in my hair, guiding me faster, rougher. I could barely breathe.

"Fuck!" he cursed, his brows knitting together as he neared his climax.

I pushed him closer to the edge, and suddenly, he erupted, spilling himself across my face. I gasped, breathless and overwhelmed.

He exhaled, reveling in the mess he had created. I licked every drop, savoring the taste. "How was it?" I asked, climbing back onto him.

"Good," he murmured, adjusting my position.

Before I could react to his compliment, he thrust inside me, stealing my breath away. My eyes widened, and I swallowed hard.

"Ride me. I love it too," he commanded, spanking my ass, sending shockwaves through my body.

Trembling, I began to move, guiding myself on him, my head falling back in ecstasy.

He sat up, his hands gripping my waist, urging me to go faster, harder.

"Fuck! Hardin!" I cried out, my body shattering around him as I came again, clinging to him, kissing his neck, desperate for more.

I didn't want this night to end. I didn't want the rain outside to stop.

"Hardin, please don't stop," I begged, tears streaming down my cheeks, not for the pleasure, but from the realization that this moment was fleeting, a beautiful mistake that might never happen again.

He's my father's best friend.

He slowly pulled back, my arms still wrapped around his neck, his eyes searching mine for an answer.

I sniffed, my vision blurring as I struggled to hold myself together.

He wiped my tears away gently. "Are you okay?" His voice unraveled what little composure I had left.

"Yes," I muttered, clinging back to him tightly, my body still pressed against his as I cried.

He rubbed my back, holding me close. Neither of us spoke, as if words might break whatever fragile thing existed between us.

All of this softness felt like an illusion, a brief escape from the reality waiting for us.

A mistake.

And the worst part was-I didn't want it to be one.

But somehow, I already knew tomorrow would ruin everything.

___

Next Morning.

A strange heaviness settled over me as I woke up. I was still at Hardin's place, in the same room. I didn't expect him to be there anyway, so I wasn't too disappointed.

But what would I tell my parents about why I slept over?

I sighed and forced myself to sit up. A breeze drifted in through the open window, brushing against my hair. I closed my eyes, exhaling slowly.

The door creaked open.

I looked up to see Hardin standing where he had stood last night, a tray in his hands. He was dressed in a tailored suit, looking ready for work.

His gaze wasn't cold, but it lacked the softness from last night.

Our eyes met briefly before he walked over and set the tray on the stool beside the bed.

"Good morning," I muttered.

"I already told your parents you stayed because the rain stopped late," he said, his tone matter-of-fact. "Don't worry about anything."

I nodded slowly, though something about his voice made my chest tighten.

"Have this. I'm leaving for work. My secretary will drop you off when you're done."

He turned to leave.

"It's your dress," he added, placing it on the bed without looking at me. "I had it cleaned."

He still wouldn't meet my eyes.

"You can skip work today," he said, already at the door, and then it closed behind him with a soft click.

My heart pounded as the silence settled in.

What was I expecting?

I bit my lip, burying my face in my hands as reality crashed over me.

But then my phone buzzed on the nightstand, and I reached for it.

A message from my mother flashed across the screen:

"Where are you, Elena? Your father is waiting. It's urgent."

I froze, my fingers tightening around the phone.

Hardin said he had already spoken to them.

So... what changed?

I took a deep breath, dread pooling in my stomach.

What if everything I thought had ended was just beginning?