Page 13 of His Dark Desire

Finally, as the last name is highlighted on the list, Joe leans back in his chair, his gaze meeting mine. "Thank you, Hazel. You've done a great job as always," he says, his voice sincere.

I offer him a small smile, feeling a sense of pride at his words. "It was my pleasure," I reply softly.

There is a moment of quiet between us, the weight of unspoken emotions hanging heavy in the air. And then, before I can say anything else, Joe stands up from his chair and moves around the table towards me.

My heart leaps into my throat at his sudden proximity, unsure of what he's about to do. But instead of saying anything, Joe reaches out and gently tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear, his touch sending a jolt of electricity through me. I catch my breath, unable to tear my gaze away from his intense eyes. The heat in his gaze is so intense that it steals my breath away, but once again, just as quick as it comes it vanishes and Joe takes a step backward. “Thank you, why don’t you finish early. You deserve it for all the hard work you’ve done.”

I grit my teeth and let that fake smile play on my lips. I reach for my laptop and hurry out of his office.

Once outside Joe's office, I lean against the wall, my heart pounding in my chest. His touch, so gentle yet electrifying, lingers on my skin, sending shivers down my spine. I take a few deep breaths, trying to calm the whirlwind of emotions raging inside me.

As I make my way back to my desk, I can't shake the image of Joe standing so close, his eyes boring into mine with such intensity. The way he had tucked that strand of hair behind my ear made me feel seen in a way I hadn't experienced before.

I pack up my things and make a hasty exit. Right now, I need to put space between Joe and me. The man is wreaking havoc on my emotions.

“It’s the weekend, Hazel, I won’t have you sitting in your apartment alone,” Briar hisses as she reaches for her cocktail. “You’ve been moping for weeks and I’m not letting you continue. You kissed your boss, so what? Many people have. Put it down to a stupid moment and let it go.”

I reach for my own drink and take a sip. She’s right, I really should let it go. “You’re right. So, how’s things with you? Have you met Drayton since you’ve found out that you’re getting married to him?”

She releases a heavy sigh. “No, not yet. That’s happening at the event next week. So don’t worry, you won’t be alone.”

I wince. God, I wish there was a way that I could help her get past this, but she relies on her parents to help with her sister. If they cut her off, her sister will be alone and that’s the last thing that Briar wants. She adores her sister, she always has.

“Enough of that bullshit, let’s finish our drinks and dance.”

I smile. God, I love my best friend. I don’t know what I’d do without her.

Briar and I dance, song after song, our bodies moving in sync with the rhythm. I feel a heated gaze on me and raise my head, glancing around the club. My heart batters against my chest when my gaze collides with Joe’s, what the hell is he doing here?

He's standing by the bar, a drink in hand, his gaze unwavering as he watches me. I want to look away, I want to pretend I didn't see him, but I can't. Not when every nerve in my body is suddenly on high alert, like a predator sensing its prey. I turn back to Briar, trying to play it cool, but she notices the change in my demeanor.

"Hazel, what's wrong?" she asks, concern lacing her voice.

I force a smile. "Nothing, just thought I saw someone I knew. Let's grab another drink."

As we make our way to the bar, I can feel Joe's eyes burning into my back. What is he doing here? The last time we spoke was that awkward encounter in his office after the kiss. The memory sends a shiver down my spine.

Briar nudges me as we reach the bar. "Hazel, it's him, isn't it? Your boss?”

I nod. “Yes,” I hiss. “What is he doing here?”

She shakes her head. “He’s not ruining our night,” she tells me, grabbing my hand and pulling me further away from where Joe’s standing. “We’re going to have a drink and continue to dance. You need to push him from your mind. He’s your boss, Hazel, you can’t let the lines blur.”

The bartender approaches us, and we order our drinks. It doesn’t take long for him to make them, and I take a sip, loving the way the alcohol hits.

I grin at her, my pulse finally returning to normal. “How did you get so wise?”

Her smirk is cocky. “One of us has to be, right?”

I laugh, I can’t deny that. “Sure. Let’s go find a table and sit down. Once we finish our drinks, we’ll go back to the dance floor.”

She takes my hand, lifting it over her head, with her drink in the other, she leads us through the throngs of people toward a table.

As we settle down at the table, the music pulsating through the club, my eyes keep flickering back to where Joe was standing. He's gone now, but the memory of his intense gaze still lingers in my mind. I try to focus on Briar, on the way she's animatedly chatting about her upcoming wedding arrangements and how much she hates it but has no choice, but my thoughts keep drifting back to that kiss that Joe and I shared.

Why am I doing this to myself? Why am I torturing myself over a kiss, one that won’t ever be repeated.

“Come,” she tells me once we’re finished with our drinks. “You need to let loose, Hazel, I hate seeing you like this. Come on, let’s go and have fun.”

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