The moment her lips were on my dick, I was helpless to stop her. The pleasure speared fierce and deep. Sure, I’d have rather been inside her pussy, but her mouth was fucking awesome too.

“Fuck,yes... Samantha...” My fingers thread through her hair as her lips slid down my shaft and up again. Electric sensations sizzled. It was like I stuck my dick into a light socket. “God... I’m nearly there...” It was fucking embarrassing how fast I was going to come. Normally, I could hold out, draw out the pleasure for us both. But it had been awhile, not just being with Samantha, but with a woman at all. My toys, as nice as they were, were nothing like this. This... good God, this was fantastic.

My balls tightened and my dick twitched. “I’m coming... fuck, I’m coming.”

Her mouth took me deep. My tip hit the back of her throat, and my eyes rolled back into my head as my orgasm blasted through me.

“Yes... fuck... yes...” My hips rocked back and forth as I fucked her mouth, emptying my dick until it was limp.

She finally released me and stood, her expression wary.

What the hell was wrong with me? Why did I keep fucking up? Having sex with Samantha was wrong on so many levels. It wasn’t just that I was her boss or that she was Victoria’s friend. No, the problem was if this continued, I’d end up hurting her again just like I did five years ago. I’d break my own heart in the process. Why was this happening again?

Because Samantha is amazing.

God, it had been lovely to work with her again. Samantha was brilliant and creative and beautiful. I remembered being amazed by her five years ago when she was my intern, and she still wowed me now.

But it was as wrong now as it had been five years ago. I knew it, and from the expression on her face, she knew it too. Based on how she reacted to the kiss last night, I knew she was trying to figure out a way for us to pretend this didn’t happen. I should make it easy for her.

"I’m sorry, Samantha. I know this was a mistake.” My words sounded more like a plea than a statement, but I needed to remind myself of the truth.

She flinched, and for a split second I thought I saw pain flash in her eyes. I hesitated. Was I wrong? Did she actually want something more between us?

But as quickly as that flicker appeared, it vanished, replaced by a steely determination. “Nothing has changed, Henry.”

“I know.” My words didn’t just acknowledge the continued barriers between us. They also acknowledged that the selfish, insatiable desire I had for hadn’t changed.

Her fingers shook as she hurriedly righted her clothes. "Let's just forget this happened, okay?"

My chest tightened at the sight of her trying to hold herself together. I wanted nothing more than to pull her back into my arms and tell her everything would be okay. But deep down, I knew that wasn't possible, not with the barriers that stood between us.

“Yes. Of course.” I smiled, hoping she didn’t see the disappointment and sadness filling my chest.

She offered me a weak smile in return, her eyes refusing to meet mine, before turning to leave the room.

With a sigh, I returned to my desk, attempting to focus on the paperwork in front of me. It was a futile effort. My thoughts kept drifting back to Samantha, to her touch, her scent, the way she had looked at me with those haunted green eyes.

“Fucking hell,” I muttered under my breath, raking a hand through my hair. This situation was maddening. How was it that I’d met the perfect woman... kind, sweet, smart, my match in every way, and I couldn’t have her? Was there any way we could overcome the barriers between us? What if I sucked it up, letting Victoria and society think what they might about my relationship with Samantha? For a moment, I let my mind imagine a life with Samantha. Her sleeping in my bed. Her ripe and round with my child. All of us, me, Samantha, Pax, our child, Victoria, Alex, and their child, together at Christmas, filling this home with love and laughter. The risk would be huge. Victoria could be pissed, although considering she was married to my friend, she’d be a hypocrite. What would the company board do? Would they vote to remove me for having an affair with an intern who was now an employee? Maybe not. Perhaps it was a risk worth taking except for one thing. Samantha might be attracted to me, but it was equally evident that she didn't want a relationship with me. She couldn’t leave the room fast enough after the kiss and tonight. And who could blame her? Her life was filled with turmoil from her mother’s death to her father’s betrayal. I was no saint, either. I’d hurt her five years ago, and she’d be crazy to let herself feel for me again since it was possible I’d hurt her again.

The next day was Saturday,but as usual, I buried myself in work. The sound of small footsteps approaching my office pulled me from my reverie. The door creaked open, and Pax's bright blue eyes peeked around the corner.

I smiled. “Hello, Pax. Did you have fun at your sleepover?”

He stepped into my office. “Yep.” He frowned at me. "Do you live here?"

“This is my house.”

“No, in here. This room. You’re always in here.” He looked around. “Where do you sleep?”

I laughed, delighted by the mind of Samantha’s son. He was quite astute. Victoria often told me I worked too much, but what else was there for me to do? Victoria was grown up, married, and about to have a child of her own.

"Sometimes, it feels like it, buddy," I admitted with a weary smile. "But no, I don't actually live here."

Curiosity shone in his eyes as he took in the stacks of papers and books that cluttered my workspace. "Can I sit with you?" His gaze fixed on the empty chair across from my desk.

"Of course.”

“Can I work too?” He settled into the chair.