##### Chapter 5 - Office escapades

Leah shrieked and leaped out of the bed. “No, no, no.”

The cold air from the A.C breezed through her bare chest making her come to the realization that she was stark naked.She swallowed hard as a cold rush of panic surged through her veins.

She tried to remember what happened the night before but the banging in her head jogged her memories.

She turned and looked at Alex who was still sound asleep with his bare torso exposed beneath the sheets.

Leah hastingly picked up all her belongings from the floor and got dressed in a frenzy. No way was she giving him the luxury of seeing her like this again.

She boarded a cab back to her place and got herself ready in less than 15 minutes to avoid being late.

She arrived at work looking out of place, her hair was a mess, her dress was all crumpled up and her dignity was barely intact.

The same woman from the previous day welcomed her again, this time Leah noticed the name tag on her breast pocket: Lisa “Good morning Miss Leah, Mr Carter is in his office waiting for you.”

She raised an eyebrow in shock. There was no way he got there before her. He had been passed out in a hotel bed fifteen minutes ago.

She rushed to the office and there he was, looking all perfect in his impeccably crisp suit and not like someone who drank his lungs out and had wild sex the night before or someone who was so sound asleep in a hotel room fifteen minutes ago.

Victoria was there too, standing beside him with a small glint in her eyes.

“Care to explain why you're late on your first day?” Alex asked, his voice deceptively calm.

Leah swallowed. “I….”

Victoria abruptly cut her off. “Yeah, and why do you look so out of place?”

Alex added. “Yeah, didn't you get enough sleep? What were you doing all night?”

Leah was surprised he asked her that as if they didn't spend the night canoodling.

She apologized to avoid further interrogation. “I'm sorry,it won't happen again.”

Alex sighed, rubbing his temple. “Let's get started. Victoria, please excuse us.”

Victoria suddenly went pale and her eyes widened in shock. “What’s so important that you can't say it while I'm here.’

“Don't be difficult, it's work-related, leave.” His tone, a bit more commanding.

Victoria gave her signature fake-smile and her eyes flashed with irritation

“Fine.” She turned to Leah, turning the smile into a stern frown. “Enjoy your first day.”

Something about the way she said it made Leah feel uneasy.

Victoria left the office, leaving just Alex and Leah and their sizzling tension. Alex leaned back in his chair shooting Leah an unsettling glance. “So how much do you remember from last night?”

Leah was left stunned by his questions, her cheeks burning red from embarrassment?

Of all the things he could've started off with, this was his opening line?

“Not much.” She replied, softly avoiding his gaze.

“Be more specific, Leah!”

Her heart thundered so loudly, she could hear it. Memories from the night before started to flood in. She remembered his bare skin against hers, how she clung on to him, moaning passionately and the way he handled her, gently and kind – A contrast to his arrogant nature. She couldn't believe the same man sprawled beside her in bed less than an hour ago now appeared so poised and unfazed.

When she didn't respond, Alex continued. “Look, we were both out of it last night. I never planned for anything to happen. I need you to focus on what needs to be done and we'd consider whatever happened an accident, shall we?”

An accident? As if it meant nothing?

She could still feel his warmth, and she still yearned for it. The scent of his cologne from the night before till clung onto her skin and he wanted to wipe it all away like nothing ever happened.

“Are you for real? An accident? That's what you're really gonna call it?”

“Well, what do you suggest we call it then?”

Her gaze sharpened, fire burning in her eyes. “You don't just wake up naked next to someone and call it an accident, Alex.” She paused then inhaled sharply, her voice faltering for a moment. “You don't touch someone like that and pretend it never happened.”

He snapped back. “You do when you're engaged. Leah, I'm engaged.”

His statement hit her hard, real hard. She took a step back. “I'm sorry, you're right,I shouldn't have …” She paused looking down at her hands while embarrassment consumed her. “ I was way out of line just now.”

Alex exhaled, his shoulders relaxing just a fraction. “It's fine.”

Leah broke off the eye contact in a bid to avoid the lingering tension still present in the room. “Um… I guess I should get going.”

“Yeah right.”

As she turned her heel to walk towards the door, she tripped on a pen laying on the floor, her ankle gave in and she almost tumbled over until Alex swooped in, catching her in his arms before she could hit the ground.

She was puzzled at how fast everything happened but immediately she looked into his eyes, time stopped and her heart thrummed loudly.

His hand placement on her waist was sensual and deliberate, not like a man who felt nothing for her, not like a man who was engaged.

She tried to break free from his grip,but he didn't move, instead he leaned in, his lips hovering just above hers, so close, their breath mingled rhythmically.

Leah tried to resist his touch, but it felt like her own body was betraying her and she felt herself drowning into his warmth against her own will.

“Alex..” She whispered.

“I could stop you know, you just have to tell me to ” He murmured, his breath against her skin.

She tried to speak but her words got caught in her throat. She knew this was wrong, she should push him away, she just apologized for even bringing it up.

And then, it happened.

His lips crashed into hers and she accepted him. His hand moved from her waist to her neck and her hair then back to her waist. It was deep, desperate and reckless.

Just when things were about to spiral further. They heard a voice that shattered the moment and made their heart stop.