Chapter 3 A TASTE OF TEMPTATION

EVA'S POV

Henry had already left the bedroom, showered and dressed by the time I stirred. He was moving around quietly, careful not to wake me-like always. I'd pretended to be asleep longer than I was, just so I wouldn't have to meet his eyes. The guilt had hardened into something else now. A numbness. A weight I carried but refused to feel too deeply. He'd smiled at me earlier, kissed my temple gently, whispered something about a meeting and left his suit jacket on the chair like he always did. But the moment he stepped out, I rolled out of bed and headed straight for the kitchen. Because I knew what he'd expect. Henry liked my cooking. He always said my meals made his day brighter, made the stress at work fade a little. And now, bringing him food had become part of the routine. Something I clung to-like it made me a better girlfriend, like it made up for everything I was hiding. I packed the meal carefully into a container, wiped down the counter, and tried not to think about last night. About Lucas. His hands. His mouth. The fire he sparked in places I didn't even know could burn. Stop it, Eva. Focus. I cautioned myself. By the time I walked into the building, my heart was thudding harder than it should've been. I knew Lucas would be there. He always was. Behind those sleek glass walls and power-scented corridors. And no matter how much I told myself I'd keep things simple today, my body betrayed me the moment I stepped out of the elevator. There he was. Lucas. Standing at the end of the hallway, talking to someone in a dark suit. He didn't see me at first-but I saw him. That jaw. That sharp stare. That careless charm that made everything else around him fade. God help me. I adjusted my grip on the bag and lowered my gaze, walking straight to Henry's office. But before I could even reach the door, a familiar voice pulled me back. "Eva," Lucas said, smooth as ever. "You're early." I turned slowly. He was alone now, arms crossed over his chest, eyes locked on mine like I was the only person in the building. "Brought lunch," I replied softly, holding up the bag like a shield. He smiled. The kind of smile that made my legs feel less reliable. "For Henry, I assume?" I nodded. "I'd like a word. In my office." I hesitated. My pulse picked up again. It wasn't a question. It never was with him. The smart thing would've been to say no. Walk away. Drop the food off and run. But my feet moved before my mouth could catch up. I followed him. His office was quiet, cold, and far too private.

The moment the door shut behind me, I felt the tension wrap around my throat like a silk ribbon, soft and deadly. Lucas didn't sit. He stood by his desk, watching me with that unreadable expression that always made me feel seen-stripped down. I stayed by the door, clutching the lunch bag like it could save me. "I thought we agreed to keep things clean during office hours," I said, forcing a weak smile. He tilted his head. "And yet, you're here." "You asked me to come in." "And you didn't say no." Silence stretched between us like a wire pulled tight. I hated how he made me feel-small and powerful at the same time. Like I was teetering on a knife's edge. "Lucas... we can't do this here." He stepped closer. "I haven't touched you," he said calmly. "But tell me, Eva... when you woke up this morning, who did you think about first?" I looked away. That was enough of an answer. He didn't reach for me. Didn't close the space. But the look in his eyes did more damage than hands ever could. "I want to stop," I whispered. "I really do." "But you won't," he said. "Because you're tired of being someone else's dream when you know you were made to be someone's obsession." Gosh. Why did he say things like that? "You don't know me." "I know what you sound like when you moan my name," he said. "I know how your nails feel on my back. I know you feel more alive with me than you ever have with him." My hands tightened around the bag. My knees felt weak. I should've left. I should've thrown his words back at him. But then the door opened. No knock. No warning. Henry. My heart stopped. He walked in holding a tablet, eyes on the screen. "Lucas, I need..." Then he looked up. His eyes flicked between us. Me by the window, Lucas behind his desk. Neither of us too close, but not far enough either. There was a pause. Long enough to feel it in my bones. Henry raised an eyebrow. "Eva?" I cleared my throat, forcing a smile that didn't reach my eyes. "I was just dropping off lunch. I didn't expect you back so soon." He looked at me. Then at Lucas. Lucas, ever the calm one, leaned back against his desk like he was bored of the whole thing. "She makes a great sandwich. I was just complimenting the presentation." Henry didn't speak. Not for a long second. Then he stepped fully into the room, placed the tablet on the desk, and looked at me again. His eyes searched my face like he was trying to find something he'd lost. "Well, thank you," he said slowly. "You didn't have to bring it all the way up." "I wanted to," I replied softly. "I figured you'd need it." Another pause. Lucas turned back to his computer as if nothing happened. As if my heart wasn't hammering in my chest and the guilt wasn't rising like a storm behind my ribs. "I'll... leave you to it," I said, walking toward the door. Henry didn't stop me. He just watched. And as I left, I didn't dare look back. Because the moment I did, I'd have to face the truth: Henry saw something. Maybe not everything-but enough. And I had no idea what he was going to do with it.