Chapter 3 Sinful Desires

Chapter 3 - Sinful desires

(Hayley's pov)

I stared at the text on my phone for what felt like hours. My heart pounded in my chest, and my palms were damp as I swiped at the screen again. 8 PM. Don't be late. His words echoed in my mind. The demand, the control, it made my skin crawl, but a part of me-a dark, shameful part-felt the pull.

I wanted to say no, to pretend like last night didn't happen, but the truth? I wasn't sure if I was more

scared of seeing him or what would happen if I didn't show up. My job hung in the balance, and let's face it, I needed this paycheck. But there was more to it than that, wasn't there? The way he looked at me, the way he made me feel... like the air around us crackled with energy every time we collided.

I finished my shift in a haze, every ticking second dragging me closer to 8 PM. By the time I clocked out, my nerves were shot. My fingers

trembled as I pressed the elevator button. My mind was running wild with scenarios-how this could go.

But deep down, I knew there was no preparing for Anthony Whitmore. The elevator doors opened with a soft chime, and I stepped out into the sleek hallway leading to his office. My heart felt like it was trying to break free from my chest.

I stopped just outside his door. The gold letters spelling out Anthony Whitmore, CEO gleamed under the dim light. This was it. I should turn back. I should walk away. But before I could decide, the door swung open.

Anthony stood in the doorway, his tall frame casting a shadow over me. He looked different tonight- more dangerous somehow. His shirt

was unbuttoned at the top, his sleeves rolled up casually as if he didn't have a care in the world, as if he hadn't shaken me to my core last night.

"You're on time," he said, his voice deep and calm, though a hint of amusement flickered in his eyes.

"Come in" I hesitated. Every instinct screamed at me to run, but my legs betrayed me. I stepped inside, the door closing with a soft click behind me.

The room was dimly lit, modern but luxurious, just like him. His scent filled the air-rich, dark, intoxicating. I swallowed hard, trying to steady my racing heart. My palms were damp, and my pulse thrummed in my ears. "Why am I here?" l asked, my voice sounding small in the large space.

He didn't answer right away. Instead, he walked over to his desk, his movements slow and deliberate. He leaned back against it, his arms crossed, studying me with that same unnerving intensity. "You're here," he began, "because last night wasn't just some mistake." I felt a jolt of electricity run through me at his words. Last night. The memory of it rushed back like a tidal wave-his touch, his lips, the fire that had ignited between us.

"I don't know what you're talking about" I lied, my voice shaky. He chuckled, a low, dark sound that sent shivers down my spine.

"You're not a good liar, Hayley."

My name in his mouth felt like a command, and I hated how my body responded to it. I hated how every time he looked at me, I felt like I was losing control. "I don't know what you want from me," I said, trying to hold my ground, but the words felt weak. "What I want?" He tilted his head slightly, his eyes never leaving mine "I want you to admit the truth."

"What truth?" I snapped, my frustration bubbling over. "That I made a mistake? That I regret-" But I didn't get to finish. In a flash, Anthony closed the distance between us. One moment, he was across the room, and the next, he was in front of me, so close I could feel the heat radiating from

him. His hand shot out, gripping my chin gently but firmly, forcing me to look up at him.

"Regret?" he echoed, his voice low and dangerous. His eyes bore into mine, and for a moment, I couldn't breathe. "Is that what you feel?"

I opened my mouth to respond, but the words were trapped in my throat. His touch was sending shock waves through me, and my mind was spinning. I hated the effect he had on me, hated how much I wanted him.

"I-"I tried to speak, but my voice cracked.

Anthony's eyes darkened, and before I could process what was happening, his lips were on mine. The kiss was fierce, possessive, like he was claiming me all over again. My body betrayed me as I melted into him, my hands gripping his shirt, pulling him closer. This was wrong. I knew it was wrong, but I couldn't stop. I couldn't think. His hands were on my waist now, pulling me against him, and my heart was pounding so hard I thought it might burst.

He broke the kiss, his breath hot against my lips. "Admit it," he whispered, his voice sending a

shiver down my spine. "You don't regret last night. You want this."

"No.." I breathed, shaking my head, but my body was betraying me. The fire coursing through my veins told a different story. "You can lie to yourself, but not to me," he murmured, his lips brushing against my neck. "I can feel it, Hayley. I can feel how much you want this."

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

"This is wrong."

"Maybe," he said, his voice soft, almost tender now. "But that doesn't change anything." His hands roamed over my body, and I gasped, torn between the desire burning inside me and the voice in my head screaming at me to stop. But every time he touched me, that voice grew quieter, until all I could hear was my own heartbeat, all l could feel was the heat between Us.

I pushed against his chest, trying to gain some distance, trying to get control of myself.

"Anthony, we can't."

But he silenced me with another kiss, softer this time, but no less powerful. It was like he was unraveling me, piece by piece, until I didn't know who I was anymore.

"I'm not asking you to decide now," he whispered, his lips hovering over mine. "But you will. Eventually."

He pulled back, his eyes blazing with intensity, and for a moment, neither of us moved. My pulse was still racing, my body still trembling from the aftermath of his touch. "This isn't over, Hayley" he said, his voice low and certain. "Not by a long shot."

And with that, he turned and walked away, leaving me breathless, shaking, and utterly confused. As the door closed behind him, I

collapsed into the nearest chair, my mind reeling from what had just happened. My skin still tingled where he'd touched me, my lips still burning from his kiss.

This was a dangerous game we were playing, and I wasn't sure if I could survive it!