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He wraps one strong arm around her waist and flips her with almost no effort, laying her back on the chair and spreading her legs.
Her panties are shoved to the side, the mess between her thighs shameless and dripping.
Then he’s inside her again.
All of him.
Deep and brutal.
He then pulls out, ties off the condom, and tosses it in the bin by the corner before collapsing onto the chair beside her, dragging her into his chest.
Neither of them says anything for a beat.
Then Latrina lifts her hand and slides it under the hem of his shirt, fingertips drifting over warm, hard abs, tracing slow, lazy circles on his stomach like she’s drawing a map.
He catches her wrist.
He laughs a low, deep rumble that makes her toes curl. Her hand wanders to his shirt again, and he catches the hand mid–lift, yanks her forward, and seals his lips over hers.
This time, the kiss is slower. He takes his time, tongue teasing hers in a steady rhythm. His hand stays on her jaw, holding her still like she might float away otherwise.
She melts into him. Into the lazy roll of his lips, the warmth of his mouth, the way his chest rises beneath hers.
Then–
May I come in, Mr. Crowley?” Someone knocked.
Her cheeks flushed.“Mr. Crowley, I should get back to work.”
Before Gerhart could respond, she got dressed and rushed out, fleeing.
He let out a low chuckle.
Interesting…
At lunchtime,
“Hey, did you see the group chat?” Monique plopped down across from Latrina with her lunch tray.
“Not
yet.
Not interested,” Latrina’s nonchalance made Monique shake her head in admiration.
“I wish I could stay this calm when things blow up.” She dug into her food with enthusiasm.
“It’s said Melanie Eaton, the new intern, left those drafts on your desk by accident. She took a day off tonight. She probably mixed up the desks since she’s new.”
“Fine.”
Latrina noticed most people had softened their stares from this morning, but still kept their distance. They
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were uneasy around someone bold enough to keep defending herself.
“So, did Mr. Crowley scold you today? You looked totally spaced out when you left his office.” Monique chattered on.
“Getting scolded by that poker face? It’s just part of everyday life.” Latrina mumbled.
Monique leaned in, lowering her voice as she said, “He never yells at anyone.”
“Really? Maybe you’re just blinded by his looks. Don’t be so innocent.”
Latrina snorted, putting down her fork, only to look up and see Gerhart approaching with his own tray, heading for their table.
Latrina quickly kicked Monique under the table to hush her, then pasted on a smile.“Hello, Mr. Crowley.”
It was as if nothing had ever happened this morning.
Monique was startled, immediately burying her face in her food.
‘Good to see you again.”
Gerhart didn’t spare them a glance, sliding into a seat by the window to discuss work with Kelvin.
Did he hear us just now?” Monique mumbled, peeking up nervously.
Doubt it. Even if he did, gossiping a little about our superior behind his back won’t get us killed.” Latrina
sounded unconcerned.
By the end of the workday, Latrina had changed into a striking red dress and done up her makeup with care.
She drove straight to Eduardo’s workplace, parking her car in the most eye–catching spot.
As employees filed out after work, heads turned at the sight of the stunning woman leaning against the car.
Latrina smiled faintly. That was exactly the reaction she wanted.
Eduardo strolled out of the office, cheerfully oblivious, acting as if nothing was amiss.
He had no idea he was about to walk right into her trap.
The second Eduardo saw Latrina, his eyes were glued to her. He’d never imagined her, who usually dressed so casually, could look so breathtaking. He felt she was like a character who stepped out of a novel, absolutely dazzling.
Eduardo.”
Latrina was uncharacteristically warm, stepping up to him in front of the crowd and sliding her arms gently
around his waist.
Eduardo froze. He could hardly believe his eyes!
Latrina had never done this before. Their flirting always had a line, at most, holding hands or a peck on the forehead. This might be the most intimate they’d ever been.
“Fucking disgusting!” Latrina clung to him, seething silently.
But with a shameless man, she had to outdo him to even feel remotely balanced!
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Eduardo gazed down at her in his arms, his eyes soft with adoration.
She could feel the stares of his coworkers, their curiosity sharp as they filed past.
“Let’s go. Dinner?” she said, forcing a smile as she took his hand.
“Sure.”
Eduardo, acting like he was coddling a child, opened the passenger door, leaned in to buckle her seatbelt, then circled to the driver’s side.
Latrina subtly shrugged off the faint trace of his cologne, dabbing her palms with a tissue, repulsed.
“I made a reservation at Tastebud Delights. Sound good?”
Eduardo came from a rich family. Tastebud Delights was his usual haunt, with a minimum cost of several hundred dollars per person, and a meal could easily hit a grand.
Normally, Latrina would’ve hesitated, but right now, she saw no point in saving a dime for Eduardo. She would squander as much as she could and treat herself better.
‘Sure.”
Latrina put on a sweet smile.
In Tastebud Delights.
She ordered dishes she’d never dared splurge on before: Beef Wellington, Escargots à la Bourguignonne, even :
bottle of Lafite from 1982.
In short, she ordered many expensive dishes. She was determined to have a hearty meal!
Eduardo didn’t mind. As long as she seemed happy, he was content.
He probably thought he was head over heels for her, but his unloyalty only made Latrina sick!
The nicer he was, the more absurd it felt.
Sure enough, before the dishes were served, his phone rang. Eduardo claimed his father was calling.
“Trina, I gotta take this,” he said, flipping his phone over and pressing it to his chest, as if hiding the screen.
“Go ahead,”
Latrina gave him a flirty smile that made his cheeks flush.
The second Eduardo walked away, she dropped the nauseating grin, only to lock eyes with a familiar figure
across the room.
Gerhart!
He was here too!
Latrina averted her gaze in a fluster, snatching up her water glass for a nervous sip.
She thought, “Weird, I haven’t done anything wrong. So why this guilty twitch?”
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She stole another peek, only to find Gerhart’s eyes still on her.
Then she noticed the elegant woman seated across from him, sharing his table.
She mused, “He’s dining with a girl? That’s a first.”
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The woman, noticing Gerhart’s lingering stare, turned to follow his gaze. Latrina lowered her head awkwardly.
“I didn’t do anything…” she mumbled under her breath.
“Gerhart, what are you looking at?”
The woman’s voice was soft, honeyed. Even across the room, Latrina’s sharp ears caught it.
“Nothing.” Gerhart looked away, lifting his glass to clink it against hers.
Eduardo’s call was likely from his father. Word of their public display outside Eduardo’s workplace must’ve spread. The Howell family was probably pressing Eduardo’s father now.
Latrina propped her chin on one hand, gazing out at Denver’s charming night view.
Suddenly, Sonya sent her a message through WhatsApp. It was a photo of an ultrasound report, followed by “I’m pregnant!”
Latrina had no idea what to reply.
Her hand trembled, her eyes stinging.
She thought, “Did he already make her pregnant? So their families will gather to discuss their marriage soon?
“No wonder Eduardo didn’t dare take that call in front of me. It must be Sonya calling!”
Latrina stood up abruptly, heading for the nearby restroom.
She’d rehearsed acceptance a hundred times, but right now, all she wanted was to claw off Eduardo’s hypocrisy.
Bitterness flooded her mouth, spreading like poison, sharp and numbing. Her nails dug into her palm. The pain yanked her back from the edge of a breakdown.
“Hmph. What a pair of bastards!” she cursed.
Latrina composed herself and stepped out.
‘Hey,‘
Gerhart was leaning against the corner, his eyes lowered.
In the dimness of his gaze, her pale, taut face was mirrored. His lips were pressed into a thin line.
She got a fright. The shadowy figure gave her the creeps.
“Looks like he’s still breathing. Do you need a hand finishing him off?” His voice carried a whiff of alcohol.
“No. I’ll finish him myself, with my own hands.”
“Suit yourself.” Gerhart pushed off the wall and stumbled away.
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Latrina let out a sigh of relief.
Later, Kelvin would admit that both he and Gerhart had witnessed the whole scene. And that it had become their go–to post–meal gossip.
Who’d have thought the meticulous Gerhart, a CEO, would join in gossiping about employees?
Latrina felt like a walking joke now, laughed at by those two, but there wasn’t a thing she could do about it.
Sometimes, she really wanted to tape Kelvin’s mouth shut.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
