Chapter 6 Forbidden Cravings

Stella glanced between us, sensing the tension. "What's going on here?" she asked.

Nicolas stammered for words, his eyes darting between Stella and me. I, too, struggled to find a plausible explanation for the electric energy that lingered in the room.

"Nothing". I finally said with a voice that sounded nothing like mine.

Stella's eyes narrowed as she observed our discomfort. "Is there something you're not telling me?"

Nicolas hesitated, and I felt a mixture of guilt and anticipation. Before either of us could respond, Stella's expression softened.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything," she said with a smile, seemingly oblivious to the unspoken tension as she sat beside Nicolas. "I was just wondering if we should all go out for dinner tomorrow night. A small celebration of us being together again".

I exchanged a glance with Nicolas, a silent agreement passing between us. "Sure, Stella, I'd love that," I replied, forcing a smile.

Nicolas nodded quietly in agreement.

As we sat down for dinner that evening, the tension was palpable. Nicolas and I struggled to make eye contact, our conversations stilted. Stella, oblivious to the undercurrents, chattered enthusiastically about her plans for tomorrow's dinner.

"I have a little surprise for you tomorrow, Mel." she said, and I looked at her anxiously.

"What are you planning, Stella?" I asked.

"Don't worry, you'll love it." she assures me with a smile.

As the night wore on, I found myself stealing glances at Nicolas, my heart racing with every brief meeting of our eyes. The air seemed to vibrate with unspoken desire, and I knew I wasn't the only one feeling it.

Nicolas's eyes lingered on mine, his gaze burning with intensity. I felt a flutter in my chest, my pulse quickening. It was as if we were dancing around a secret, our bodies gravitating towards each other despite the danger.

Stella's laughter broke the spell, and we both jerked back to reality with no clue about what she was saying or laughing about. I forced a smile, my eyes darting away from Nicolas's piercing gaze.

Nicolas feigned a laugh too. At that moment I felt guilty, but I just couldn't help it. I was obsessed with this man.

As the night drew to a close, Stella excused herself to the restroom, leaving Nicolas and I alone at the dining table. Nicolas seized the opportunity, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my heart race.

"I need to talk to you," he whispered, his voice low and urgent. "Outside. Now."

My pulse quickened as I nodded, my eyes darting around the room to ensure we weren't being watched. Nicolas led me out into the cool night air.

"What is it?" I asked, my voice barely audible over the pounding of my heart.

Nicolas's eyes burned with desire, his face inches away from mine. "I can't keep pretending, Melissa. I want you, and you know it."

My breath caught in my throat as Nicolas's words hung in the air, the tension between us palpable.

"I want you, Melissa, but I can't pursue this. Stella trusts me, and I can't betray that trust again. I promised to be there for her, and I won't abandon her for my own selfish desires." he added.

My face fell instantly, my heart sinking with disappointment. "So, you're just going to ignore what we have? What we feel?" I whispered, my voice laced with hurt.

Nicolas's expression was pained, but he nodded resolutely. "I have to, Melissa. I can't risk losing Stella's trust or hurting her again. She's been through too much already." Nicolas's face contorted in a mix of frustration and longing. "But being near you, feeling this connection... it's like a constant reminder of what I can't have. I don't know how much longer I can keep this up."

"Then don't hold back. I never asked you to leave Stella for me." I whispered, with a low, sultry voice.

"I can't Melissa... I just can't." he stuttered, his voice filled with emotions.

Melissa's eyes welled up with tears as she felt the sting of rejection. "I understand," she said, her voice barely audible. "But it hurts, Nicolas. It hurts so much, you can't even begin to imagine."

Nicolas's face contorted in a mix of guilt and longing, but he remained firm. "I'm sorry, Melissa. I truly am. But I can't change my priorities, no matter how much I want to."

The silence that followed was heavy with unspoken emotions, the distance between us feeling insurmountable. My heart felt shattered, my hopes crushed by Nicolas's resolve. As I turned to leave, Nicolas's eyes locked onto mine, filled with a deep longing. "Melissa, wait..." he whispered, his voice barely audible.

But I didn't turn back. I disappeared into the night, hiding the tears threatening to slip from my eyes, leaving Nicolas alone with his thoughts.

And as he stood there, he felt a hand on his shoulder. "Nicolas, what's going on?" Stella asked, her voice laced with concern.

Nicolas's heart skipped a beat as he turned to face her. "Nothing, Stella. Just...just taking in some fresh air."

Stella's eyes narrowed, her gaze piercing through the darkness. "You're hiding something from me, Nicolas. I can feel it."

Nicolas's heart raced as he forced a smile. "You're just being paranoid, Stella. There's nothing going on, I promise."

Stella didn't seem convinced, her brow furrowed in suspicion. "I hope you're being honest with me, Nicolas. Because if you're keeping secrets from me, it won't end well." she said in a cold, calm voice. "You know how much trust means to me, and how easily I can lose it. I won't be taken for a fool, again."

"I know, Stella. You have nothing to worry about," Nicolas replied, his voice even as he fought to maintain his composure.

Stella's eyes searched Nicolas's face for a moment longer, and he feared she could see right through his façade. But then she sighed and smiled, seemingly satisfied with his response.

"Alright, let's go back inside," she said, slipping her arm through his and leading him back inside the house.