Ethan sighed, his expression a mix of frustration and longing. "I get that, Clara. But it's hard to ignore what we just shared. It felt real, and I don't want it to be just a fleeting moment."
Clara nodded, her heart racing as she considered their situation. "I know, and it was incredible. But we need to think this through. If anyone finds out, it could ruin everything we've worked for."
Ethan leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "What if we keep it between us for now? Just until we figure out what this really means. I don't want to lose you, Clara."
Her breath caught in her throat. The idea of keeping their connection a secret was both thrilling and terrifying. "Okay," she said finally, her resolve wavering. "But we have to set some ground rules. No one can know, and we can't let this affect our work."
Ethan's eyes sparkled with determination. "Deal. We'll take it slow and see where this leads us, together."
Clara felt a rush of warmth at his words, a mixture of excitement and apprehension swirling within her. "Alright, Ethan. We'll take it one step at a time. But we have to be smart about this. No late-night texts or lingering looks at work."
Ethan chuckled softly, the tension easing a bit. "I can manage that. But I can't promise I won't think about you during those meetings."
She smiled, her heart fluttering at the thought. "Just remember, we're in this together. We can't let our feelings cloud our judgment."
He nodded, a serious expression returning. "Absolutely. We'll keep it professional on the outside, but I won't pretend I don't want more. Just know that I'm here, and I'm willing to figure this out with you."
Clara took a deep breath, feeling a sense of calm settle over her. "Together, then. Let's see where this path takes us, but with our eyes wide open."