Clara comes back a few minutes later, eyes fiery, and sits in the armchair by my desk.
The office is filled with a heavy silence, and as I kneel in front of Clara between her chair and my desk, I canât help but study her. The tension in her posture is palpable, and I worry that Iâve pushed her too far this time. Her eyes are downcast, avoiding mine, and I struggle to read her emotions.
I search her eyes for any hint of what sheâs feeling, desperately trying to understand her better. But thereâs a wall there, one I havenât been able to breach yet. Internally, I vow to be more patient and supportive, knowing that itâs the only way our friendship can grow.
I watch as a torrent of emotions play across her face. The vulnerability in her eyes is raw and heart-wrenching. âJust tell me what I can do to make this right.â
âAlexâ¦â she whispers, her voice trembling ever so slightly. A moment later, Clara leans in to kiss me, wrapping her arms around my neck and pulling me in close. The suddenness of her actions catches me off guard, but I canât deny the magnetic pull between us.
âClara,â I gasp against her lips before hesitantly kissing her back. My hands instinctively find their way to her waist, marveling at how good she feels under my palms. Her body fits perfectly against mine, like two lost puzzle pieces finally clicking together.
âPlease,â she murmurs into our kiss, her eyes pleading with me for something more. I feel the weight of her need, the unspoken desire that hangs heavy in the air between us. But even as my body aches to oblige, I know that weâre treading on dangerous ground.
I press my lips against hers again, allowing myself to get lost in the sensation of her. Our kisses grow deeper, hungrier, fueled by an insatiable thirst for connection and understanding.
My heart hammers in my chest as Claraâs lips press against mine, her slender arms wrapped around my neck. I slide my hands down her body, the warmth of her skin beneath my fingertips sending shivers down my spine. But suddenly, a pang of guilt washes over me â is this right? Sheâs clearly still upsetâ¦
âWait,â I murmur, pulling away from her just enough to look into her bright green eyes. I cup her face gently with both hands, my thumbs brushing against her freckled cheeks. âI donât want you to do something youâll regret.â
Her eyes hold mine, unwavering, as she bites her lower lip.
âIs it really what you want?â I ask, searching her gaze for any hint of doubt.
âYes,â she breathes, her fingers curling into the fabric of my shirt. âPlease.â
I hesitate for a moment, wanting nothing more than to ease her pain and provide her with the solace she seeks. But I also know that I must be cautious, gentle, and considerate of her feelings. We tread on delicate ground, our roles as boss and intern blurring into something far more intimate and complex.
âAlright,â I whisper, pressing my forehead against hers. âBut if at any point you change your mind, just say the word. Iâll stop immediately.â
âOkay,â she huffs, the word barely out before sheâs crashing back into me. Her taste is like heaven and I wrap my arms around her, wanting to erase the ache I saw on her face, heard in her voice.
And in that moment, I know that I would do anything to protect her.
I stand up, pulling her into my arms and her legs wrap around my hips. I dig my hands into the underside of her thighs, and Clara pulls at my hair.
The warmth of Claraâs breath on my skin sends a shiver down my spine, and I canât help but tremble as she leans in to kiss me. This time, I donât hesitate to pull her into my arms, standing and holding her tight, unwilling to let anything come between us.
âAlex,â she murmurs against my lips, her fingers curling into the fabric of my shirt. âI need you.â
âOkay,â I reply, my voice thick with emotion. âIâm here.â
Our mouths collide again, the intensity of our connection growing stronger with each passing second. I can feel her heartbeat through the thin layers of our clothes, a steady rhythm that mirrors the pounding in my own chest. Itâs as if our very souls are intertwined, bound together by an invisible thread that only grows stronger the closer we become.
âHelp me forget,â she pleads, her eyes dark with desire. âJust for tonight.â
âAnything you need,â I promise, my resolve cemented by the raw vulnerability etched across her face.
With trembling hands, Clara begins to undo the buttons of my shirt, her fingertips grazing my skin and leaving a trail of goosebumps in their wake. I canât tear my gaze away from hers, the depth of emotion in her eyes taking my breath away.
As I set her gently on the edge of my desk, my thoughts race, a torrent of emotions threatening to consume me. But despite the chaos within, thereâs one truth that remains clear: I will do whatever it takes to protect and care for Clara, both now and in the days to come.
âLet me take care of you,â I murmur, my hands cupping her face as I drink in the sight of her, beautiful and strong even in her vulnerability. âLet me help you find peace.â
âPlease,â she breathes, her eyes locked on mine as we take the next step, our hearts beating in unison, our connection growing stronger with every passing moment.
I turn, setting her on the edge of my desk, as we continue to kiss, our hands roaming each otherâs bodies as we gradually undress one another. The heat between us is palpable, and I canât help but feel awed by the trust she has placed in me.
âIs this okay?â I ask her, taking a moment to gauge her reaction. She nods, her eyes shining with determination and desire, and I smile, relieved to know that she truly wants this.
âMore than okay,â she whispers, our lips meeting again, more urgently this time. We continue to explore each other, shedding layers of clothing until we stand before one another, bare and vulnerable.
âAlex, you donât know how much this means to me,â Clara murmurs, her voice heavy with emotion. âTo be able to share this with you⦠I never thought it would be possible.â
âNeither did I,â I confess, my heart swelling with love for this incredible woman who has managed to break down my walls and show me the true meaning of connection and friendship. âBut Iâm so glad that it is.â
As I wrap my hand in Claraâs hair, holding her close, she locks her legs around my waist, drawing me even closer. I begin to kiss down her throat, feeling her pulse quicken beneath my lips. She sighs softly, her breath hitching at the intimate contact.
âAlex, pleaseâ¦â she pleads, her voice a tantalizing mix of need and vulnerability.
âShh,â I soothe, pressing gentle kisses along her collarbone. âJust let me take care of you. Let me show you how special you are to me.â
I lean in, pushing into her, and we both groan at the sensation. Sheâs warm, inviting, and I feel myself stretching her around me. Itâs intoxicating, consuming us both as our connection deepens.
âGod,â I pant, starting a steady rhythm that matches the pounding of my heart. My hands roam her body, exploring every curve, every angle. The sound of her moans fills the room, and I canât help but revel in it.
âAlexander,â she breathes, her voice trembling with each thrust. I love the way she says my name, how she clings to me, needing more.
In this moment, itâs about so much more than just physical pleasure. Itâs about trust, about laying ourselves bare and finding solace in one anotherâs arms. Our friendship has evolved, blossoming into something that transcends definition. And as I hold her close, feeling her body shudder beneath me, I know that thereâs no going back.
âAre you okay?â I ask, pausing for a moment to make sure sheâs comfortable. Her nod is all the reassurance I need, and I continue, driven by the desire to bring her the same sense of peace sheâs given me.
âMore,â she gasps, her eyes sparkling with unspoken emotion. âPlease donât stop.â
âAlex, please,â Claraâs voice is barely more than a whisper, but I can feel the intensity of her need.
âTrust me,â I say, pulling out of her before she has a chance to protest. Her eyes widen in surprise as I quickly flip her around, laying her on her stomach atop my desk. The contrast between her warm skin and the cool surface of the mahogany wood heightens the intensity of our connection, and I can feel her anticipation building.
âAre you ready?â I ask, searching her eyes for any sign of hesitation. She nods, her gaze never leaving mine, and I take that as my cue to push back into her. The force of it takes us both by surprise, and we canât help but groan in unison at the sensation.
âGod,â she moans, her fingers gripping the edge of the desk as I thrust deeper into her. I can feel her starting to lose control, and I know Iâm not far behind.
âYouâre incredible,â I pant, my hand slipping into her hair and fisting it gently, pulling her head back just enough to expose the delicate curve of her neck. Her breath hitches in response, and I can sense her desire growing stronger by the second.
âPlease, donât stop,â Clara pleads, her voice cracking with emotion. âI need this.â
âBelieve me, so do I,â I tell her, increasing the pace of my thrusts. As much as I crave my own release, what really drives me is the need to bring Clara to the heights of ecstasy â to show her just how much she means to me.
âOh, Iâm⦠Iâmâ¦â Clara gasps, struggling to find the words as the wave of pleasure starts to wash over her.
âClara,â I murmur, feeling my own climax approaching like a freight train. Her body is quivering beneath me, but I can see the trust and surrender in her eyes.
She whimpers, reaching back to grip my hand thatâs still in her hair. The gesture is so tender and unexpected that it pushes me over the edge.
âAh, fuck, Clara,â I groan as waves of pleasure crash through me, causing my body to shudder with each pulse. I collapse onto her, our skin slick with sweat, and press my lips to her spine, kissing my way down as I catch my breath. Claraâs heartbeat pounds against my chest, and for a moment, all other thoughts fade away.
âThank you,â she whispers, her voice shaky but genuine. I can tell that this wasnât just about physical release for her, but also a way to feel connected and grounded in the chaos of our lives.
âAnytime,â I reply, but even as the words leave my mouth, I know thereâs more to it than that. Itâs not just about sex or comfort; itâs about the deeper bond weâre forging between us, one that transcends our roles as boss and intern.
âAlex?â Clara asks, her voice soft and questioning. âWhat happens now?â
I sigh, knowing that the real world waits outside this office, and nothing has really changed between us. But I canât bring myself to let go of this connection, even if it means navigating unfamiliar territory.
âFirst, we clear your fatherâs name,â I suggest, realizing that sometimes vulnerability and honesty are the strongest foundations for a relationship. âTogether.â
âOkay,â she agrees, her voice full of hope and warmth. As I hold her close, I finally understand that the walls Iâve built around myself arenât meant to keep others out, but rather to protect whatâs most precious â the people I care about.