"Aria, you can't keep doing this!"
Mia's voice rang through the office as they stepped into the elevator, the tension palpable between them. "You need to be careful. You're playing with fire."
"I know," Aria replied, her heart still racing from the kiss she shared with Dante. "But I can't ignore what's happening between us."
Mia crossed her arms, concern etched across her features. "It's not just about you and him. Luca is still a threat, and you can't let your feelings cloud your judgment."
"Then what do you suggest?" Aria snapped, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "I can't just pretend nothing's happening. I can't ignore the fact that I feel something real with Dante."
The elevator doors slid open, and Aria stepped out, the buzzing energy of the office surrounding them. But her thoughts were only on Dante—the way he made her feel alive, the way his gaze seemed to strip her bare, revealing her hidden desires.
"Just promise me you'll be careful," Mia urged, following her. "And keep your distance from Luca."
As they settled at their desks, Aria felt the weight of Mia's words, but she couldn't shake the memory of Dante's kiss. It had awakened something deep within her—a yearning that stirred her soul. She needed to see him again.
Later that evening, the office was quiet, the hum of computers the only sound breaking the stillness. Aria glanced at her watch, contemplating whether to call it a night or wait for Dante. Just as she made up her mind, she heard the soft click of a door opening.
"Aria?" Dante's deep voice filled the space, sending a shiver down her spine.
"Hey!" she exclaimed, her heart racing as she turned to face him. "I didn't expect to see you here."
"Couldn't stay away," he said, his eyes dark with intensity. "I wanted to check on you."
Aria's pulse quickened as he stepped closer, the air around them thickening with unspoken tension. "I'm fine, really. Just finishing some work," she said, trying to sound casual.
Dante shook his head, a slow smile spreading across his lips. "You're not fooling anyone, you know."
"What do you mean?" Aria asked, her heart pounding as he leaned against her desk, invading her personal space.
"The way you look at me," he replied, his voice low and rough. "The way you make me feel." He paused, searching her eyes. "You're not fine. You're restless."
Aria swallowed hard, the heat of his gaze igniting a fire within her. "Maybe I am," she admitted, her voice barely a whisper.
Dante stepped closer, the warmth radiating from his body enveloping her. "Then let's do something about it," he said, his breath brushing against her cheek.
As if pulled by an invisible force, Dante closed the distance between them, capturing her lips once more in a heated kiss. This time, it was different—fueled by urgency, need, and the tension that had been building between them since the gala. Aria melted into him, her hands tangling in his hair as he deepened the kiss, their breaths mingling in the charged air.
Dante's hands slid down her waist, pulling her closer, and Aria could feel the heat radiating from him, igniting every nerve ending in her body. The kiss was slow at first, a gentle exploration, but soon it transformed into something more urgent, more desperate.
"Dante," she breathed against his lips, her heart racing as his hands found the small of her back, pressing her against the desk. "We can't—"
"Just let it happen," he murmured, capturing her mouth again, his hands exploring her curves, igniting a fire deep within her.
As the kiss deepened, Aria felt herself losing control, succumbing to the need coursing through her veins. She had never felt this alive, this desired, and the thrill of being with him overshadowed her doubts.
The desk creaked under the weight of their passion as Dante's hands slid under her blouse, his fingers grazing her skin, sending shivers coursing through her. She gasped, her body arching into him, craving more of his touch.
"Tell me to stop," he whispered, his lips trailing down her neck, igniting every nerve in her body.
But she couldn't. She didn't want him to stop. "Please, don't stop," she whispered, the need in her voice evident.
Just then, the sharp sound of a knock echoed through the office, and they froze. Aria's heart raced, fear coursing through her as she glanced towards the door.
"Aria! You in there?" It was Mia's voice, her tone casual but oblivious to the tension in the air.
Aria pulled away abruptly, breathless and flustered. "Yeah, just a minute!" she called back, panic rising in her chest.
Dante ran a hand through his hair, the tension in his posture shifting. "We should—"
"I know," Aria interrupted, trying to regain her composure. "We should talk about this."
"Later?" he asked, his eyes still dark with desire, and Aria could see the heat lingering in them.
"Definitely later," she promised, trying to suppress the flutter of excitement and anxiety.
As the door opened, Mia stepped inside, her eyes darting between them, taking in the scene with an amused grin. "What did I miss?"
"Nothing!" Aria blurted, her cheeks burning as she adjusted her blouse, trying to shake off the remnants of their passionate moment.
"Right," Mia said, a teasing smirk on her face. "Well, just be careful, okay? You're playing with fire, Aria."
Aria nodded, her heart still racing as Dante shot her a knowing look, the promise of what was to come hanging heavy between them.
As the night wore on, Aria found it hard to concentrate on anything other than Dante. The thrill of their encounter lingered in her mind, a delicious ache that refused to fade. She could feel the tension building between them, a magnetic pull that threatened to consume her.
But with Luca looming in the shadows, she knew they had to be careful. The stakes were higher than ever, and the desire she felt for Dante could either be their salvation or their downfall.