Lexy knew she should have declined the invitation.
It was just a work session strategizing for the next phase of their business collaboration. But after hours, in James' private office, with only the two of them? It was a setup for trouble.
And yet, here she was.
The city lights glowed beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows as she sat across from James, a glass of whiskey untouched beside his laptop. He had loosened his tie, the top two buttons of his shirt undone, revealing the faintest hint of hard muscle beneath.
Stop looking, Lexy.
She shifted in her chair, forcing her focus back on the contract in front of her. "This clause needs rewording," she murmured, circling a section with her pen.
James watched her, his gaze lingering just a second too long. "You always were a perfectionist."
She smirked, flipping a page. "And you were always reckless."
His lips twitched, but his eyes held something deeper. "That why you kept your distance back then?"
Lexy's heart skipped a beat. This was dangerous territory talking about the past, acknowledging the attraction that had always been there.
She hesitated. Then, quietly, "Maybe."
Silence settled between them, thick with something unspoken.
James leaned forward slightly, resting his forearms on the desk. "And now?"
Lexy swallowed hard. And now?
The air between them felt electric, the space too small, the heat too much. She should shut this down, laugh it off, redirect the conversation.
Instead, she made the mistake of looking at him.
His dark eyes burned into hers, intense, waiting. He was waiting for her to make the call.
Her fingers tightened around her pen. "James…"
He didn't move closer. He didn't need to. His voice was low, almost a whisper. "Tell me you don't feel it, and I'll stop."
Lexy parted her lips, but no words came. Because lying to him meant lying to herself.
The tension snapped.
James reached out, slow and deliberate, his fingertips brushing against the back of her hand. A shiver shot through her, her breath catching at the simple, forbidden touch.
One second. Two.
Then she pulled back. Barely.
James' jaw clenched, his restraint evident, but he didn't push. He let out a slow exhale, leaning back.
"Not yet," he murmured, more to himself than to her.
Lexy grabbed her papers, forcing herself to stand. "I should go."
He nodded once, but his eyes told a different story.
As she walked out, her heart pounded in her chest. She had crossed a line tonight.
Just barely.
But next time?
Next time, there might not be a way back