He didn’t answer immediately. His eyes, dark and intense, locked onto mine, searching for something. "I … I don’t know," he admitted, his voice low. "But I can’t stop myself."

I swallowed hard, trying to think clearly, but the way he looked at me made it impossible. "Orion … this … we shouldn’t."

But he moved closer, his thumb brushing against my cheek, and I felt myself leaning into his touch despite my words.

"It’s like …" he hesitated, his gaze never leaving mine. "I’ve been waiting for this. For you."

His words sent a jolt through me, and for a moment, I was lost in the depth of emotion in his eyes. Everything else faded away. It was just the two of us, caught in this charged moment.

"Orion," I whispered, unsure of what to say next.

"Tell me you feel it too," he urged softly, his voice barely above a whisper, but filled with need. "Tell me this isn’t just me."

“I want you to be mine and no one else’s,” Orion said softly, his gaze locked on mine. “If only you knew how much it takes for me to fight the urge to make you wet. Your scent drives me crazy.”

His hand wrapped around my neck as he made me lean against the wall.

“Someone might see …”

Before I could finish my statement, he placed his index finger on my lips. His other hand slowly raised my skirt as he slowly massaged my butt.

He inhaled like he was ready to devour me that very minute. He then moved his hand to my boob and caressed it as he moaned softly.

“Orion … we can’t,” I whispered, stepping back, breaking the intense connection between us. The space between us felt like a chasm, but I forced myself to create that distance. I had to.

Orion’s expression shifted, a mix of longing and confusion. “Luna, I—”

“No,” I interrupted, my voice shaking.

“This isn’t right. Miranda … she’s my best friend. I can’t—” My voice caught in my throat as guilt gnawed at me. “I can’t do this to her.”

The weight of Miranda’s name hung between us, and I saw the way it hit Orion. He closed his eyes briefly, as if wrestling with the same guilt that was tearing me apart. When he opened them again, there was a softness there, a vulnerability I hadn’t seen before.

“I know,” he said quietly.

“Believe me, I know.” His voice was rough with emotion.

“Every time I look at you, I feel this … this connection. But every time I think of Miranda, I feel this crushing guilt. She’s my daughter, Luna. I should be able to stop this. I should be able to … to control myself.”

My chest tightened as he spoke, and I could see how much this was hurting him too. “Orion, she trusts me, she confides in me.I’ve been there for her through everything. How could I possibly betray her like this?”

His hand fell to his side, and he turned away slightly, as if trying to shield himself from the truth of the situation.

“You think I haven’t thought the same thing?” he asked, his voice raw. “Every time I see you, I feel like I’m betraying her. But damn it, Luna. I can’t stop.”

Orion moved closer and grabbed my neck while fighting the urge to kiss me. He leaned in for a kiss as he stroked my hair.

“Dad …” Miranda said.

Chapter 6

Orion

"Dad, did you …"

Miranda’s voice was like a cold bucket of water thrown over us. We jumped apart so fast that I almost stumbled, my heart slamming against my ribs, as I turned to face her.

For one horrifying second, I was sure she had seen us. My mind raced through the potential fallout, the damage I’d done by almost giving in to something that could never be. But Miranda wasn’t looking at us. She was too absorbed in her laptop, her fingers tapping away as she walked into the room, her attention elsewhere.