"HER."
I couldn't move.
There was nothing.
Just air.
Thick with the smell of fear.
And an invisible echo bouncing off the walls.
How was that possible?
I was still trying to process it when I heard the office door open.
I spun around, bracing for another shock.
"What the hell are you doing in here?"
I breathed. Fuck.
And I did it hard.
Relief burned through me like whisky.
It was Hugo.
His gaze was calculating.
As if I were the ghost and he the only living thing in the room.
"You look pale… Did something happen?"
"Did you leave me breakfast?" I blurted out.
He raised an eyebrow.
"Do I look like someone who makes breakfast?"
"Then you have a maid."
"Why?"
I frowned.
"You didn't draw the bath either? Or carry me to that room last night and—"
"Hey," he cut me off, taking a step closer. "Breathe."
He smiled. But it didn't reach his eyes.
That smile was supposed to fix everything.
It didn't.
Still, it was enough.
"I thought you'd be out. Didn't you go to work?"
He let out a soft laugh.
"You think that's funny?" I asked.
"I think the way this is progressing is funny. Did you sleep well?"
I pressed my lips together.
"I don't remember anything."
"Better. This game is getting interesting, especially since it looks like you've moved into my house."
This time I laughed.
"You can throw me out."
He stepped so close that his scent of mint and tobacco washed over my face like a trap.
"No. Whether you leave or not is your decision."
He pulled away.
I squeezed my thighs together.
After watching me for a few seconds, he started to leave.
"You look good," he murmured.
I brought a hand to my cleavage. Unconsciously.
His tone… wasn't innocent.
"Aren't you leaving?" I asked before he disappeared.
He didn't answer.
I smiled wide once I was alone.
For a moment I forgot the incident with that voice.
I convinced myself it had been my imagination.
I stepped into the office to get my purse.
My life had become far more interesting.
My CEO was finally seeing me.
I was no longer invisible.
Even if I wasn't the only one.
I was sure he'd show at least some reaction if another woman appeared.
But in my head, he was mine.
And I wasn't giving up any ground.
My months of secret intrusion were over.
The game was now face-to-face.
That gave it juice.
Distracted by my thoughts, I searched for my purse but couldn't find it.
Where could it be?
I needed my phone.
Shit.
Then a vibration filled the air.
Just as I was about to leave.
I turned.
It rang again, insistent.
It was his phone, half-hidden among folders on the desk.
I swear I tried to ignore it.
But it was stronger than me.
I walked over and picked it up.
"Her."
That's what the screen said.
Without hesitation, I answered.
"Who the hell do you think you are calling my boyfriend?" I snapped, furious.
I wasn't thinking.
On the other end, I heard breathing.
But no words.
"Aren't you going to answer, you bitch?" I growled again.
"I'm sorry," a female voice replied — one that felt sickeningly familiar. "There was a mistake."
That was all.
She hung up.
I stared at the screen until it went black.
Then I wanted to go further.
It had a password. I typed.
A minimalist wallpaper appeared.
And that's when it hit me.
How the hell did I know his password?
A whip cracked down my spine.
A bad feeling settled in, and—
"What the hell are you doing with my phone?"
My hand trembled and I dropped it.
"It was ringing."
Hugo looked at me seriously from the doorway.
"I know. That's not what I asked."
"Well, that's my answer. Have you seen my purse? I left it here last night."
"I haven't seen anything," he growled, advancing and grabbing his phone to check it.
I took a deep breath.
"I left it here," I repeated.
"Search somewhere else," he said while typing, without looking up. "I'm busy right now."
I understood I should leave, even though I didn't want to.
I lingered by the door for a moment, but he didn't speak to anyone.
I didn't know what to do for a second.
I had to go to work. I couldn't stay here forever.
But I wasn't about to lose my advantage either.
So I went back to my room.
Wait… my room?
Yes. Mine.
And "her"?
I shook my head.
"She" could go to hell.
YOU'RE IN MY FUCKING HEAD.
Hugo approached me with feline movements.
His half-open shirt revealed tense muscles gleaming under the dim, seductive light.
I swallowed hard and pressed my back against the wall.
When he placed his hands above my head, he left me no escape.
Our eyes locked.
Neither of us spoke.
The sexual tension was so thick it could be cut with a dull scalpel.
The air became electric, heavy with the scent of desire and raw pheromones.
I lowered my gaze to the pendant swinging on his chest.
It was hypnotic. Gold and tiny emeralds. Crescent moon shape.
"Are you going to keep staring at that or are you going to do something about it?"
His voice was a low purr that made every inch of my skin rise.
He was challenging me.
The bastard wanted me to make the first move.
I smiled and raised a hand to toy with the jewel.
"What about you?"
He pressed his body against mine.
His erection pushed hard against my pelvis.
The air thickened.
Between my thighs, a growing, unbearable throb.
Then I slid a hand to the back of his neck.
I tangled my clumsy fingers in his hair and pulled him in.
I closed my eyes the moment our mouths met.
Not in a kiss.
In a cataclysm.
Something unnameable. Pure chaos.
And then…
I sat up gasping, a choked scream escaping my throat.
My heart hammered in my chest.
Every millimeter of my skin burned.
One hand tangled in my pendant.
The other between my legs.
"Fuck…"
I collapsed back, kicking the sheets.
I had fallen asleep and it was just a damn dream.
One that hadn't even finished.
"You're… in my fucking head…" I murmured with a moan.
I didn't pull my right hand away.
I pushed it deeper between my clenched thighs.
Time stopped.
I detached from the world.
I came trembling.
Sweat dripping.
Uncontrollable gasps.
Eyes fixed on the ceiling.
I stayed like that for a long time.
Until hunger hit me.
I bit my lip.
I still hadn't found my phone.
I was about to get up when I heard a scraping sound outside.
Like nails scratching wood.
I froze, ears sharp.
It happened again.
Then… something fell hard.
I stood up and ran to the door.
But I froze before turning the handle.
Because the knock repeated.
This time from inside.