Sebastian

This night passed almost like any other. The blurred lights of the city streets blinded me as my mind became clearer. Laser sharpness and concentration are exactly what I've started to lose sight of, these past few weeks, and I can't afford that.

The darkness was the dawn for me, and the sunrise is the twilight of my life. At least the one that I am currently living.

As the stream of lukewarm water splashed over my body, washing all the demons and angels off my shoulders, I thought about last night's charity dinner. About her.

I tried to remove the feel of her skin from my palms, but no amount of soap could do that. Because her touch was etched in my mind, even though it had long since faded from my skin. The material of her silky dress made me itch and everything about her gave me an allergic reaction.

I wanted to, knowing I had to, avoid her, but what you run away from is what you run to the most. Her proximity was sickening and difficult, but her distance was far worse.

They say that whoever likes to play with fire should be careful not to get burnt. By all accounts, I will set the whole world on fire. Both mine and hers. And I would dance in that whirlwind of fire and smoke, even though I knew it would take me through all nine circles of hell.

I wanted her to be as far away as possible, but I needed her to be close. Paradoxically, just like my life.

As my car sliced through the air like a knife, I called Gabriel, putting him on speakerphone.

"Gabriel, Irene informed me that you did not submit the certified contract. Today is the last day of the legal deadline to submit it to our board. Bring it to me as soon as possible so I can sign and submit it."

Even though it was raining outside and its heavy drops were invading my car and the horizon in front of me, I didn't miss his worried tone on the speaker.

"Mr. Reese, I . . . The contract is not . . ."

"Is there a problem?"

My patience wasn't at an enviable level these days just like now, when I cut his muttering to a sharp halt.

"Of course not. Amelia has the contract, and she took the day off. But that's no problem, I'll tell her to deliver it to you as soon as possible."

"Perfect."

I ended the conversation without allowing him to elaborate on his further explanation.

The smell of precipitation mixed with the wet soil on the side of the road filled the interior of my car through the ventilation. That smell, along with the sound of the rain itself and the fact that I would see her big, hazel eyes again calmed me down on several levels.

When I got to the office, Irene let me know with the look in her eyes, that the day would not go as planned.

"Good afternoon Mr. Reese."

She got up from the reception desk and started walking alongside me, glancing from the side for nosy ears. She whispered to me quietly and inconspicuously.

"The message is in the third envelope from the bottom."

She handed me a pile of mail and putting on a well-practiced smile, returned to her seat.

"Here's your mail for today Mr. Reese."

When the large door closed behind me, I settled comfortably in the chair and turned to the large window that looked out on tons of concrete and glass, neatly arranged in a row of buildings and skyscrapers.

I opened a white envelope that was no different from the others. Reading the content of the message, I squeezed the paper, which under the pressure of my grip became a crumpled pile of letters. I let it through the shredder and took a deep breath, massaging the pulsating pain in my forehead that appeared suddenly and became more and more intense acting in synergy with the tension that was already taking over my body.

I got up and left the office. I stopped at the front desk and addressed Irene, unbuttoning the first button on my shirt.

"I'll be at the gym. Cancel all my appointments. I'm not available for anyone."

One of the places where I could take out all my frustrations. I headed for the elevator, but before I got into it, I turned around and said with a devilish smile.

"Except for Amelia Sammers. Don't take any document from her, send her downstairs. I want her to deliver it to me personally."

"Understood Mr. Reese."

First I went to change clothes in the changing room. Shirtless and wearing black trainers, I started with the punching bag.

Every blow was aimed at someone, and many of them were dedicated to myself. The tension in my body slowly began to fade, and the anticipation grew for the moment when her slender legs would step into my den.

I had my back turned to the door while I was lifting weights, but in the mirror opposite me I didn't miss her petite spindly body and her vibrant energy contrasting with these black walls

Despite the dimmed light that surrounded us, I did not miss her wandering gaze that made invisible routes on my back, devouring every inch of my bare skin.

"If you like what you see, you can try it."

I didn't even have to see the way she rolled her eyes because that movement was almost as audible as it was obvious.

"Cocky as always. Don't flatter yourself, I wasn't checking you up."

My roaring laughter echoed through the underground room. I lowered the weight slowly and turned to her.

Her gaze was focused on my eyes, but I saw desire in her irises to rummage through the skin under my neck and further south that glistened from the sweat.

"I was talking about weights. But thanks for letting me in on your thoughts."

A slight blush stained her cheeks. From the first moment I laid eyes on her, much later than when I found out about her, I found pleasure in teasing her. Her reaction was like a magnet to me.

"Mr. Reese, please be assured that I am here strictly professionally and if we were not bound by a business relationship, I would never exchange another word with you."

She raised her hand and handed me the contract folder.

"Is that so?"

I glanced at the contract and took slow steps towards her.

Her expression was surprised but she quickly tried to pull herself together, even as she began to move backwards.

"That's right. So I'm begging you . . . No no,  I'm not begging you, I'm demanding that you stop what you're doing now."

Her voice was clear but with a hint of trepidation. Her breathing was getting faster and she didn't seem so determined after all.

After a few steps her back hit the wall and a small moan escaped from her throat.

I took a deep breath and moved closer to her.

"Didn't you hear me?"

She said in a much lower voice, though she tried to speak louder. Her palms ended up on my chest and at that moment it was as if some kind of weather storm hit my body. Fire elements tore at my skin as thousands of small volcanoes erupted all over my body leaving it burning and tingling.

She also noticed that under her fingers and then she looked down from my eyes to my chest.

Her gaze was diminutive and ravishing, wandering over the contours of my muscles.

Her full lips were slightly parted and tempting. When she almost imperceptibly bit her lower lip, I fought with all the divine forces in me, and most of all with myself.

I came incredibly close to her, our bodies pressed against each other.

"I can only hear your body language. . ."

I put my palms above her head on the wall, caging her under my captivity .

"And what it's telling me doesn't match with with the words you're saying. Amelia."

I lowered my head, our lips were painfully close. Her warm breath was like a spring breeze on my skin. Alluring. Rapturous. Forbidden.

"No one gave you permission to call me by my first name. Mr. Reese."

She said decisively and slammed the contract on my chest. That startled me and I moved away from her slowly, taking the document and turning my back on her.

"Next time, be more up-to-date on your paperwork and business obligations. Miss Sammers."

"Don't worry Mr. Reese."

She answered me while straightening her clothes.

"I know very well how to manage my business obligations, and I especially know the way in which I bring them to the end."

Emphasizing the words business obligations, she turned and left.

The tension could be felt in the air and you could cut it with a knife as thick as it was.

Everything that was supposed to pull me away from her did the exact opposite. Now, I wanted her more than ever, more than I should.