Auren instantly realized where Kael's eyes had gone.
And instead of blushing or trying to hide, she only smirked.
"You look like you've just discovered something new," she drawled, tilting her head to the side.
Kael's pupils darkened, but the confusion was gone. He pulled himself together quickly—his lips pressing into a thin line, his jaw tightening even harder.
"Change your clothes," he snapped curtly, as if nothing had happened.
Auren caught the fleeting shadow of emotion in his eyes before he locked it all away behind that impenetrable mask again.
And she liked it.
"Of course, Mr. Dantes," she replied obediently, though mockery laced her tone.
Before turning away, she adjusted the collar of her blouse—just a little slower than necessary.
She didn't see his reaction.
But she could feel it.
Auren was about to play the obedient secretary and leave, when she suddenly paused mid-step, as though remembering something.
"By the way," she turned back with the most innocent expression, catching his gaze. "I don't have a change of clothes."
She noticed Kael draw in a slow breath, his arms crossing over his chest as he looked down at her, as if deciding whether to strangle her or not.
But his gaze wasn't angry—more tired, with a trace of something else.
"Did you even think before dumping water all over yourself?"
Auren shrugged, feigning complete innocence.
"I did."
"About where you'd get dry clothes afterward?"
She met his eyes calmly, then tilted her head slightly.
"Well, actually, I thought it would dry quickly."
Kael narrowed his eyes.
Auren licked her lips, then added with the faintest smirk:
"After all, the office gets so hot when two flames share the same room."
Kael stood perfectly still, holding the silence.
She felt his gaze linger on her.
"Auren…" he exhaled slowly, as though restraining himself.
"What?" she blinked innocently.
"You're incorrigible."
Auren didn't argue. She just smiled.
Kael disappeared into his office and returned a few minutes later with a black shirt in his hand. Auren followed him with her eyes as he approached.
"Put this on."
She unfolded the shirt in her hands, examining it with mock consideration.
"So, I'm just going to sit at the front desk like this today?" she asked, her tone teasing as her eyes lifted to meet his.
Kael clenched his jaw, already anticipating her next move.
"And what if someone walks in?" Auren pressed, trailing her fingers over the fabric.
Kael leaned closer, his gaze locking onto her mischievous eyes.
"If someone walks in, you'll tell them your boss took care of you."
Auren chuckled softly.
"Took care of me? Or just took the chance to see me in his clothes?"
Kael narrowed his eyes, then abruptly turned and headed back into his office.
"Just put on the shirt, Auren."
She laughed quietly, holding his shirt in her hands.
***
Kael closed the door to his office behind him, exhaling through his nose.
She was unbearable.
Auren knew how to play, how to needle him, how to push him straight into the abyss from which there was no return without losses.
And he let her.
A little more—and he wouldn't have just forced her to wear that shirt, he would've buttoned every button himself, his hands clutching the fabric against her body.
When he saw how the wet blouse clung to her, outlining every curve of her figure, his fingers had curled on their own.
But Kael couldn't lose control again. He couldn't show how much it burned him inside just to look at her.
Flame collided with flame.
And he wasn't sure he wanted to put it out.
He dragged a hand over his face, forcing his breathing to slow. His fingers slid across his lips, still remembering her taste, before curling into a fist.
He stepped forward, then back, pacing like a caged animal. His gaze darted over the office, but in his mind there was only her laugh, her fire, her body wrapped in damp fabric.
With a sharp motion, Kael unfastened his cuffs, tore off his jacket, and threw it onto the chair. His skin burned beneath the fabric.
"Damn it…"
His hand raked over the back of his neck, pulling at his hair, but it didn't help.
Auren had issued a challenge.
And, God help him, he was starting to want to lose.
He blew out a harsh breath, forcing himself back under control.
He went to the desk and opened his laptop, scanning his schedule. He picked up a pen, but his fingers twitched.
No. This wasn't working.
He reached for the stack of documents, but her laugh still echoed in his head.
With a growl of frustration, Kael slammed the folder shut, got up, and began pacing again. He felt like a coal was smoldering inside him, refusing to die down.
He needed to occupy himself. Work.
Focus.
He returned to the desk, pulled out his phone, and began checking emails. Then, abruptly, he pressed the call button.
"Auren Laurent. My office. Now."
If his thoughts kept circling around her anyway, then she might as well be in front of him.
The door opened, and Auren walked in calmly, a tablet in her hands.
And Kael froze.
She was wearing his black shirt. Loose, but not loose enough to hide the curves of her body. Her delicate wrists peeked from the long sleeves, and her bare legs only underlined how wrong this was.
How dangerous.
His tongue swept over his lips as he tried to keep his expression blank, though something inside him clenched tight.
What the hell was I thinking, giving her my shirt?
She stopped in front of his desk as if nothing was unusual and lifted her gaze to his.
"Did something happen?"
Kael leaned back in his chair slowly, eyes never leaving her, and thought:
Yes. Something happened. I can't leave you in the reception dressed like that. You're too… hot.
His gaze slid down her face, tracing every line of her body, before traveling back up again.
Why hold back?
There was already something strange between them, a pull that was impossible to call a game, but not defined enough to be anything else.
And as long as she stood there in his shirt, barefoot, with that mischievous expression on her face—he wasn't going to look away.
"It suits you," he said, warmth seeping into his voice despite himself.
Auren raised an eyebrow.
"The shirt?"
Kael's smile tugged at one corner of his mouth, slow and dangerous.
"You think that's all I mean?"
He didn't blink, didn't look away—savoring every second.
Let her know he was watching.
Let her know he saw her like this—and wasn't about to deny it.
Auren's gaze locked on him, as if testing how far he was willing to go.
"You're staring at me," she said lightly, though something heavier slipped beneath her tone.
"I am," Kael admitted without hesitation, not even trying to deny it.
Her grip on the tablet tightened, but the corner of her mouth twitched, betraying the hint of a smirk.
"And what exactly do you see?"
Kael rose from behind the desk, unhurried, moving with that lazy confidence that spoke louder than words.
He rounded the desk and stopped close, not touching her, but letting the heat of his body remind her how near he was.
"You already know," his voice came low, rough-edged.
Auren didn't step back, didn't look away, but he caught the faintest flex of her fingers against the tablet.
"And what are you planning to do with it?"
She had asked. She had opened the door herself.
Kael tilted his head slightly, studying her with a sharp, assessing look.
"What do you want, Auren?"
Let her say it.
Let her stop hiding.
She narrowed her eyes a fraction, weighing her answer before she spoke.
"You know…" she exhaled slowly, turning the tablet in her hands. "Before I answer, tell me… what is this between us?"
The question caught him still for a beat.
"We're dating?" she pressed, eyes steady on his. "Are we already… a couple? Or is this just a temporary distraction?"
Kael blinked once but quickly found his footing.
A temporary distraction?
A dark smirk tugged at his lips as he shook his head, but something dangerous flickered in his gaze.
"You think I'd get bored and just throw you away that easily?"
Auren didn't reply—just lifted a brow, waiting for his answer.
He stepped closer, crowding her against the edge of the desk, trapping her between his body and the wood.
"If you want an answer from me, you'll give me one first. What do you want?"
He wouldn't let her slip out of this conversation.
Auren drew in a slow breath, tilting her head back just enough to keep his gaze.
"I need to be sure," she said evenly, though the fire in her eyes betrayed her calm. "The moment you tell me what we are, I won't waste a second before telling you what I want."
Kael studied her as if searching for the truth hidden in her words.
She was waiting. She wouldn't move first until she heard his answer.
"Are you serious?" His lips curved faintly, though his tone carried no mockery.
"Absolutely." Auren tilted her head, watching him carefully.
His jaw clenched.
She was setting terms, forcing him to call things by their name.
But he had never backed down from a challenge.
Kael let out a slow breath, eyes locked on hers.
"I don't know what to call it," he admitted honestly. "But one thing's certain—it isn't fleeting."
Auren held his gaze, as if measuring the weight of his words.
"Not fleeting?" she echoed, teeth catching her lower lip as though turning the phrase over in her mind.
Kael leaned closer, brushing his fingertips beneath her chin.
"Not at all," his voice dropped, steady and sure. "If it were temporary, I'd have cooled off by now."
Auren held her breath.
She had been waiting for that answer.
She studied his face as if trying to catch the smallest hint of hesitation.
"So… we're a couple? We're dating?" she asked, tilting her head slightly to one side.
Kael didn't look away; the corners of his mouth twitched into a faint smile.
"If that comforts you, then yes," he said calmly, though his voice carried absolute certainty.
Auren blinked slowly, turning his words over in her mind.
"Then…" she leaned closer, her breath almost brushing his lips. "Now you know what I want."
She did not avert her eyes. Her voice was soft but steady.
"I want the same thing you do."
Kael smiled, tilting his head. A sly light flashed in his eyes.
"I doubt we meant the same thing," he murmured, his voice dropping, nearly velvet.
Auren narrowed her eyes; a crafty smile quivered on her lips.
"Oh? Are you sure?" She stepped closer and let her fingers trail lightly along the cuffs of his jacket.
He watched her closely; his gaze darkened almost imperceptibly.
"You just said you needed to be sure of my words. Now I want to be sure of yours."
Auren cocked her head, looking up at him from beneath her lashes.
"All right, then—let me put it another way…" Her tone was soft, threaded with playfulness.
Kael did not look away; he waited for her to continue.
"I want to feel your devotion," she said, slowly circling him and letting her fingertips skim his shoulder. "Your warmth… your passion…"
She stopped in front of him, tilting her head.
"I want to feel your lips… on my body."
Kael inhaled sharply; his eyes flared and his fists clenched.
"Damn, Auren…" His voice was low and rough.
But she only smirked and leaned closer.
"Now are you sure we meant the same thing?"
"Not exactly… but yes." He admitted it.
Auren narrowed her eyes; the corners of her mouth lifted in a challenging smile.
"Try saying it plainly."
He leaned in so close there was only inches between them. His voice dropped, hoarse and intimate:
"All right. Listen carefully."
His hand slid down to her waist, fingers grazing skin through the thin fabric of her shirt, deliberate and slow—as if testing her patience. A current of electricity ran through her. Then he whispered so that only she could hear:
"I want you. Here. Now."
Her chest rose on a deep intake of breath, but she did not look away. A flame ignited in her eyes—challenge, desire, thrill—and Kael saw it and understood.
Auren hesitated; her fingers tightened involuntarily on the edge of the tablet. She narrowed her eyes; the corners of her mouth twitched.
"But you know, Kael…" Her voice took on a teasing tone, though a flicker of doubt crossed her features. "There's one problem. Maybe I'm still… inexperienced for your fantasies."
She said it defiantly, as if issuing a dare rather than confessing a secret.
Kael froze for a moment, then smiled slowly. His gaze darkened; that dangerous fire flared.
"You think I don't know?" His voice was low, languid with confidence. "Auren, I know everything about you."
He leaned close to her ear, his breath nearly touching her skin.
"Auren… that only makes you more desirable," he murmured, low and certain. "The more you resist, the more I want you to surrender on your own."
She tightened her grip on the tablet, drew a deeper breath, but still managed to hold onto her composure.
"Perhaps one day I'll give in," Auren said softly yet firmly. Her voice carried respect, but not the faintest hint of weakness. "But not here. I'm not losing my virginity in an office, Kael."
He caught the fleeting hesitation, the glimmer of desire buried beneath her words. A smirk tugged at his lips as his fingers trailed lazily along her wrist, feeling the subtle tremor of her skin beneath his touch.
"That's fair," he murmured. "You deserve something special, not some impulsive moment in an office."
Auren turned her face away, but Kael noticed the tiny quiver of her lips, the almost inaudible whisper that escaped them.
"But…"
He immediately leaned closer, his lips brushing the shell of her ear.
"But?" His voice was low, seeping under her skin.
Fidgeting with the cuff of her shirt, Auren finally set the tablet down on the desk. As if gathering her courage, she muttered in a barely audible tone,
"I wouldn't mind… if you just… kissed me."
Kael froze, his eyes locking onto her face. In Auren's gaze burned a spark of daring, laced with shy hesitation. A predatory smile curled across his lips.
"'Just' kiss you?" His voice dropped lower, deeper, sending shivers down her spine.
His fingers slid to her waist, tugging her closer. Auren held her breath. Without giving her a chance to rethink, he gripped her by the waist and lifted her effortlessly, setting her down on the edge of the desk.
She clutched at his shoulders instinctively, but didn't pull away. Kael stepped between her knees, his hands gliding down her thighs, leaving behind a scorching trail.
"You have no idea how much you're teasing me," he whispered, leaning in.
And before Auren could utter a word, his lips claimed hers.
The kiss was unhurried yet sure, as if he wanted to savor her taste, memorize every second. At first, his lips brushed hers lightly, giving her a chance to retreat. But retreat was the last thing on her mind. Auren kissed him back, fingers threading through his hair, pulling him closer, as though she wanted to dissolve into the moment.
Kael deepened the kiss, his tongue tracing along her lips—demanding, hungry. Auren moaned into his mouth, and he felt desire flare even hotter.
His grip on her waist tightened as the kiss grew deeper, more intoxicating, nearly maddening. The air between them burned; the office, the work, the whole world fell away. There was nothing but the two of them, bound in this moment.
Kael didn't rush to break away, but his lips craved more. He trailed a lingering kiss to the corner of her mouth before moving lower.
His breath brushed her cheek, and Auren instinctively tilted her head, granting him access. He took advantage of it—his lips gliding across her skin, leaving a warm trail behind.
Slowly, deliberately, he explored every inch, savoring the feel of her. Kiss by kiss, he moved down to her neck, where her pulse throbbed beneath the skin.
When his mouth found that spot, Auren gasped sharply, her fingers clutching tighter in his hair. Kael smirked, pressing a deeper kiss there.
"Kael…" Her voice carried a pleading note that only fueled the fire within him.
Yet still, he held back. For now.
He felt her breath turn ragged, her grip on his shoulders firming. He took his time, relishing every sound, every shiver.
His fingers worked at the buttons of the shirt she wore—the one he had given her himself. One button slipped free. Then another. More of her skin revealed.
His lips traced down the line of her collarbones, scattering warm, unhurried kisses. Auren shivered when his tongue brushed her sensitive skin, lingering where her pulse beat strongest.
Kael moved slowly, indulgently. Each touch, each sigh from her lips fed his hunger. He traveled lower, his mouth skimming her stomach, circling tenderly around her navel.
Her body arched, back curving as she nearly sprawled against his desk, surrendering to the sensations. Her fingers tangled in his hair, silently begging him not to stop.
But Kael had other plans. Torturously slow, he retraced his path upward, planting heated kisses along her stomach, back to her collarbones.
"You love playing with fire," he rasped, hovering dangerously close to her lips. "But don't forget who the flame is."
Auren's breath came fast and uneven, her chest rising and falling, her eyes glazed with desire.
"Then… burn me," she whispered, never breaking eye contact.
Kael smirked, though a true hunger flickered in his gaze.
"Careful, Auren. I might take that literally."
His hands slid slowly down her back, finding the clasp of her bra. His fingers lingered there for just a second—long enough to give her the chance to stop him. She didn't.
"You have no idea how badly I want to rip this off you," he murmured huskily, leaning to her ear before gently biting her earlobe.
Auren drew in a sharp breath, her fingers gripping the edge of the desk, but she didn't move, didn't speak. Her body spoke for her.
Kael chuckled under his breath, unfastening the clasp with deliberate care before trailing his lips back to her neck, his warm palms gliding over her bare skin.
He felt the shiver ripple through her as his hands roamed along the smooth expanse of her back. He knew he was driving her wild, but what ignited him even more was her trust—her silent permission to go further without a word.
He returned to her lips, kissing her deeper, more desperately. Auren leaned into him, wrapping her arms around his neck, and Kael let himself drown in the moment. Her lips were hot, soft, carrying something that stripped him of control.
Her breath hitched as his fingers traced down her sides, squeezing her waist with greater urgency. His lips drifted lower, toward her right breast. Auren arched into him, and that was his breaking point. When his mouth closed over her peak, Auren couldn't hold back the moan that tore from her, her fingers threading into his hair, pressing him closer.
"Auren…" he breathed against her, moving to her other breast.
She looked down at him with a hazy gaze, her lips swollen from his kisses, her breathing ragged.
"We're not… going any further, are we?" she whispered, as if she herself wasn't sure what she wanted.
Kael smirked, running his fingers lightly across her collarbones.
"Do you have any idea how much you're testing my patience?"
Auren smiled faintly, her fingers brushing across his chest.
"Of course. Otherwise, it wouldn't be any fun."
He huffed out a laugh before kissing her again—slower this time, more restrained. Because no matter how much he wanted more, Auren deserved something special. And he was going to make sure this moment was exactly that—one she would never forget.