Chapter 5: A Trip to Trouble
The next morning, Alexander announced that he had to travel to Japan for an urgent business meeting. He would be gone for three days, and he would be accompanied by his personal assistant and, to Lila's dismay, Ethan.
"Ethan? But he's your secretary," Lila said, her voice laced with apprehension.
Alexander shrugged. "He's been a tremendous help lately, and I need someone I can trust by my side."
Lila's smile felt forced. "Of course," she said, trying to mask her disappointment.
As Alexander packed his bags, Lila felt a knot of anxiety tighten in her stomach. The prospect of Ethan being away with her husband for three days filled her with dread. What if they spent time together? What if Alexander confided in Ethan about his personal life?
The thought of Ethan in close proximity to her husband, sharing the same hotel rooms, the same meals, sent shivers down her spine. She tried to dismiss her fears, to convince herself that nothing would happen. But the image of Ethan, his eyes sparkling with mischief, haunted her.
Later that evening, after Alexander had left, Lila decided to visit Ethan at his apartment. She needed to see him, to feel the heat of his touch, to remind herself why she risked everything for their affair.
As she pulled up to his building, her heart pounded in her chest. She was nervous, exhilarated, and terrified all at once. The elevator ride felt interminable, each floor seeming to take an eternity to pass.
Finally, she reached his floor and stepped out, her breath catching in her throat. Ethan's apartment was on the corner, the lights casting a warm glow against the dark facade of the building.
Taking a deep breath, Lila pressed the doorbell.
The door swung open, revealing Ethan standing in the doorway, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Lila," he breathed, his voice husky with desire. "You shouldn't be here."
Lila stepped inside, her eyes drinking in the sight of him. He looked more handsome than ever, his dark hair tousled, his eyes radiating a warmth that made her knees weak.
"I needed to see you," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "Before you leave with Alexander."
Ethan pulled her close, his arms encircling her waist. "I'm not going to lie, I'm looking forward to this trip," he admitted, his voice a low growl. "But nothing compares to being with you here, just the two of us."
Lila leaned into him, her heart pounding against his chest. "Me too," she murmured, her voice barely audible. "Me too."
As their lips met, Lila surrendered to the moment, the fear and anxiety forgotten. In Ethan's arms, she felt alive, desired, loved. She knew she was playing a dangerous game, but in that moment, nothing else mattered.
As the night wore on, their passion ignited, burning hotter than ever before. The thrill of their forbidden love, the knowledge that they were risking everything, only served to intensify their desire. Lila, lost in a haze of ecstasy, felt a dangerous pull towards Ethan, a pull that threatened to consume her entirely.