ATTRACTED

t loomed. Mia's fingers flew across her keyboard, her eyes darting between mul

ion. Despite the late hour, his shirt was still crisp, his tie only slightly loosened. Mia coul

met, and a small smile played at the corners of his mout

epared their drinks – he knew exactly how she liked hers, she realized with a

Mia," Alexander said, handing her a steaming

g else she couldn't quite name. "Thank you," sh

essary. "I mean it," he said, his voice low. "You have

p.* Mia felt a familiar pang of insecurity. "Does it...

ip of his coffee. "Honestly? Sometimes," he a

brow, encouraging

free hand. "This passion and drive. It's invigorating. It makes me fe

is words. "And that's.

"It's *terrifying*," he said, his

offee and stealing glances at each other. The air bet

to work," Mia said reluctantl

ok a step closer to her. "Mia," he said softly, "I hope you

in her throat. "I

, his voice husky, "I've been won

pounding in her ears. "Alexander," she began, but h

e age difference, the office politics, the potential fallout. But Mia

n her body felt alive, hyper-aware of his proximity. "I... I feel th

s down her spine. "Tell me to stop," he murmured. "Tel

s why this was a terrible idea. But in that moment,

ring her lips in a searing kiss. Mia melted into him, her hands

, all-consuming, *electric*. But as quickly as it began,

that," he said, running

r. "Right," she said, trying to keep the hurt

g her hands in his. "It wasn't a m

heat of their kiss still lingering on her lips. "Complicate

both involved in. This... whatever this is, it changes everything." Hi

e she could second-guess herself. "I want you." The vulnerabi

for me." He stepped closer, his warmth enveloping her, and she could fe

is space, her breath hitching as their bodies br

ated uncertainty. Alexander leaned in, his lips hovering above hers, his breath mingling wit

n't want you," she replied, her heart p

niting a fire that spread through her body. She could feel him surrendering to the moment, the barriers bet