[Hardin's POV]

I could see the desperation in her eyes as I paused, the air thick with unspoken tension.

Tears glistened on her lashes, and when our gazes locked, a rush of something primal surged through me. I loved the way she looked in this moment-seductive, vulnerable, utterly captivating.

"Why... did you stop?" she asked, her voice low and innocent, reminding me of someone I could never forget.

A smile crept across my face, a sense of calm washing over me. I didn't care what might happen next; I wouldn't stop now.

"I want you to beg for it. Feel it before you come on my expensive nails," I said, my voice low and deep.

Her gaze softened.

"Beg for it," I urged, teasing my fingers against her clit.

"Please... let me come," she breathed, her nervousness evident.

"Good girls get good things," I murmured, a dangerous smile playing on my lips.

I could see her surprise as I unhooked my belt and unzipped my shorts. Her eyes widened as my cock sprang free, veiny and ready. She stared, fingers clutching the bedspread tightly.

"Are you scared?" I asked, pulling her hips closer to me.

She swallowed hard. "You... are so big," she mumbled, the words barely escaping her lips.

"I can still stop..."

"Don't stop. I want it inside," she interrupted, her voice firm yet trembling.

"Inside where?" I teased, rubbing the tip against her slick folds.

Her hips bucked forward. "Inside there... I want it."

Her voice was a sweet melody, igniting a fire within me. I couldn't wait to ruin her.

"Are you sure?" I asked again, pushing the tip inside just enough to elicit a whimper.

"Yes... please," she moaned.

With a steady, gentle motion, I pushed in fully, finding that hidden place of ecstasy she had never known. Her lips parted in a gasp, and she gripped the bedspread.

I clenched my jaw, overwhelmed by her perfection. Her walls hugged me tightly, as if I were made for her.

I pushed deeper, determined to leave her breathless. A deep groan escaped my lips, her tightness overwhelming.

I looked at her, sweat glistening on her forehead, lips trembling as she gasped for air. Leaning closer, I began to move again, my rhythm steady.

Her moans danced in my ears, and I bit my lip at the familiar sound. I kissed her ear softly. "Are you comfortable, Elena, or should I stop?"

"Please, don't stop. I want you. I'm very comfortable," she pleaded.

I stroked her hair gently, kissing her forehead. She smiled up at me, and my heart raced. My body pressed against hers as she wrapped her arms around me.

Then I moved a bit faster and rougher. She screamed, kissing my neck, as if to tell me I was hitting the right spot. When the sweetness became overwhelming, I returned to my normal pace-faster, deeper, rougher.

"Gosh..." she moaned breathlessly, kissing my neck again. The sensation sent shivers down my spine, igniting the guilt that tightened my chest. She was my best friend's daughter. But I couldn't stop.

The more she cried, moaned, and kissed me, the rougher I became, pushing her closer to the edge. I forgot everything else, lost in the feelings I craved the most.

"Oh my God!" she gasped as I thrust into her, her body shattering around me, warmth enveloping me. With a swift motion, I pulled her up, throwing her leg over my shoulder, driving deeper without giving her a moment to breathe. I was lost in the rhythm, consumed by the heat between us.

"Fuck!"

"Yes!"

"Harder!"

"Oh! I love it, Hardin!"

Her sultry moans filled the room, mingling with the sound of our bodies colliding. I studied her expression, reveling in her pleasure. Her hair fell across her face, eyes darting with excitement, mouth open in ecstasy, and her breasts bounced with each thrust. The mattress shook beneath us, echoing our connection.

"You love it?" I muttered, quickening my pace.

"Oh, yes. I love it," she cried out. "Please, fuck me more!"

A thrill coursed through me as I lifted her other leg onto my shoulder.

"Oh! Hardin! Yes!" she screamed, tears of pleasure glistening in her eyes.

"Hardin... I'm... I'm coming!" she moaned, her voice trembling. I wanted her to feel every moment, to know it in her soul. I didn't relent, feasting on her desire.

"Please..." she gasped, her body trembling beneath me.

"I'm..."

She bit her lip sharply, and when she finally let go, warmth enveloped me again.

"You love it when I handle you this way, don't you?" I cupped her face, brushing her hair aside, forcing her to meet my gaze. She exhaled a hot breath against my skin, looking utterly spent.

"Yes," she murmured, leaning in to kiss my lips. I smirked; she radiated the energy I craved.

I held her jaw, my cock still buried inside her, and locked our lips in a rough kiss. Her arms wrapped around my neck, allowing me to taste her completely, like a devoted pet. She gasped, but then she suddenly broke the kiss.

I raised an eyebrow, our eyes locking. She bit her swollen lip, breathless. "I want..."

"I want to touch you too, Hardin," she said hesitantly, heartbeat quickening.

"Why?" I questioned, frowning.

"Please don't stop what you're doing with me. I just want to touch you..."

"This will be our first and last time together. Please, let me touch you too." She pleaded softly. "I want to take off your clothes and see you naked."

I fell silent, studying her.

"I want to do everything you do to me," she continued, her voice trembling. "Please, don't reject me."

"Why do you think this will be our last time?" I asked, holding her gaze.

She hesitated. A single tear rolled down her cheek, glistening in the dim light.

"Because you're my father's best friend," she uttered, the weight of her confession hanging heavily in the air.

In that moment, we both realized the gravity of our situation. The thrill of our connection was overshadowed by the consequences looming over us.

"This moment is what to us?" I asked, my voice low, almost a whisper.

"A mistake. We'll totally forget," she replied dryly, as if trying to convince herself as much as me.

And in that instant, I understood. Our minds were in sync; we both recognized this as a fleeting moment to satisfy our desire.

A sin.

[Elena's POV]

A Mistake We'll Totally Forget.

I stared into Hardin's eyes.

My words echoed in my mind and the intensity in his gaze mirrored my own turmoil.

He released me, and my heart skipped as he stepped back. Was he angry about what I had just said?

"Hardin... " I whispered, my voice trembling.

"You want to take off my clothes, right?" he said, raising his hands slightly, his eyes never leaving mine.

My fingers twisted at my sides, yearning to reach for him.

"Come on..." he muttered, his voice low and inviting.

A thrill coursed through me. I couldn't let this chance slip away-the chance to touch the man I had watched from the shadows for years.

Slowly, I sank to my knees, closing the distance between us. My throat tightened as my hands reached for his buttons. I didn't break eyes contact as I unfastened his shirt, letting it fall aside.

My palm grew damp as I traced the firm lines of his chest. Then I leaned in, pressing a kiss against his skin, my pulse racing.

His arms came around me, pulling me closer. I felt his breath warm against my skin, igniting something deep inside me.

"Don't stop," he muttered. "Do whatever you want with me. I'm all yours for this moment," he muttered, his voice calm yet filled with urgency.

My breath caught as a faint smile tugged at my lips.

I wanted to tell him how I felt.

But I had no idea what it would change between us.

I leaned in, capturing his lips with mine, and he responded with equal fervor, our tongues dancing together.

As the kiss deepened, I pushed him back onto the bed, breaking the connection. He chuckled darkly, a sound that sent shivers down my spine.

Every nerve in my body lit up at the heat between us.

I pulled off his shorts, my heart racing as I took him in, then bit my lip, rolling my hair into a bun, and securing it with a band around my wrist.

With a deliberate slowness, I climbed onto him, kissing my way down his chest. My hands trembling as I cupped his cock gently.

"Don't worry. I'll be careful," I reassured him, watching as he relaxed under my touch.

I leaned in, kissing the tip before taking him into my mouth, my eyes locked on his.

He bit his tongue, and the sight fueled my confidence.

With a deep breath, I took him fully, feeling him hit the back of my throat. My vision blurred, and he groaned, the sound sending waves of pleasure through me.

"You're such a good girl, Elena. Faster," he urged, his voice thick with desire.

I didn't hesitate. I quickened my pace, choking slightly as saliva dripped from the corner of my lips. My hair fell loose around my face.

He grunted, tangling his fingers in my hair, guiding me faster, rougher. I could barely breathe.

"Fuck!" he cursed, his brows knitting together as he neared his climax.

I pushed him closer to the edge, and suddenly, he erupted, spilling himself across my face. I gasped, breathless and overwhelmed.

He exhaled, reveling in the mess he had created. I licked every drop, savoring the taste. "How was it?" I asked, climbing back onto him.

"Good," he murmured, adjusting my position.

Before I could react to his compliment, he thrust inside me, stealing my breath away. My eyes widened, and I swallowed hard.

"Ride me. I love it too," he commanded, spanking my ass, sending shockwaves through my body.

Trembling, I began to move, guiding myself on him, my head falling back in ecstasy.

He sat up, his hands gripping my waist, urging me to go faster, harder.

"Fuck! Hardin!" I cried out, my body shattering around him as I came again, clinging to him, kissing his neck, desperate for more.

I didn't want this night to end. I didn't want the rain outside to stop.

"Hardin, please don't stop," I begged, tears streaming down my cheeks, not for the pleasure, but from the realization that this moment was fleeting, a beautiful mistake that might never happen again.

He's my father's best friend.

He slowly pulled back, my arms still wrapped around his neck, his eyes searching mine for an answer.

I sniffed, my vision blurring as I struggled to hold myself together.

He wiped my tears away gently. "Are you okay?" His voice unraveled what little composure I had left.

"Yes," I muttered, clinging back to him tightly, my body still pressed against his as I cried.

He rubbed my back, holding me close. Neither of us spoke, as if words might break whatever fragile thing existed between us.

All of this softness felt like an illusion, a brief escape from the reality waiting for us.

A mistake.

And the worst part was-I didn't want it to be one.

But somehow, I already knew tomorrow would ruin everything.

___

Next Morning.

A strange heaviness settled over me as I woke up. I was still at Hardin's place, in the same room. I didn't expect him to be there anyway, so I wasn't too disappointed.

But what would I tell my parents about why I slept over?

I sighed and forced myself to sit up. A breeze drifted in through the open window, brushing against my hair. I closed my eyes, exhaling slowly.

The door creaked open.

I looked up to see Hardin standing where he had stood last night, a tray in his hands. He was dressed in a tailored suit, looking ready for work.

His gaze wasn't cold, but it lacked the softness from last night.

Our eyes met briefly before he walked over and set the tray on the stool beside the bed.

"Good morning," I muttered.

"I already told your parents you stayed because the rain stopped late," he said, his tone matter-of-fact. "Don't worry about anything."

I nodded slowly, though something about his voice made my chest tighten.

"Have this. I'm leaving for work. My secretary will drop you off when you're done."

He turned to leave.

"It's your dress," he added, placing it on the bed without looking at me. "I had it cleaned."

He still wouldn't meet my eyes.

"You can skip work today," he said, already at the door, and then it closed behind him with a soft click.

My heart pounded as the silence settled in.

What was I expecting?

I bit my lip, burying my face in my hands as reality crashed over me.

But then my phone buzzed on the nightstand, and I reached for it.

A message from my mother flashed across the screen:

"Where are you, Elena? Your father is waiting. It's urgent."

I froze, my fingers tightening around the phone.

Hardin said he had already spoken to them.

So... what changed?

I took a deep breath, dread pooling in my stomach.

What if everything I thought had ended was just beginning?

[Elena's POV]

"Elena!"

I froze at the entrance as my father's voice came from the living room, unlike anything I had ever heard from him before.

My bag slipped from my shoulder and hit the floor as I stepped closer.

In the middle of the room was my father. Jaw tight. Eyes bloodshot. Phone clenched in his fist.

My gaze shifted to the couch. There was my mother, tears burning her face.

The space suddenly felt too small.

My fingers shook.

"Dad..." I whispered.

He just stared at me quietly. "You slept over at Hardin's place," he muttered, his tone far too calm.

I bit my lip. "Yes." My head lowered, pulse roaring in my ears.

"And then, what happened?" he added.

My eyes widened. Why was he asking? Hardin said he had already spoken to them.

"Huh?"

"What happened there?" he asked again, as if waiting for me to say something else.

My palms turned damp. "Nothing..."

Before I could say more, his hand struck my cheek-the first time in my life. Shock hit me as my vision blurred.

What had I done to make him this angry? Then it hit me. No. It couldn't be what I feared. He couldn't know.

"How could you, Elena?!" he growled under his breath. "What were you thinking? And you still lie to me?"

I swallowed, my chest tightening.

He knew. But how?

"Dad..."

"Don't! Just don't!" he snapped, grabbing my wrist and forcing his phone into my hand.

I looked at the screen. My stomach dropped.

There it was, the reality I feared. The intimate video of me and Hardin. And now it was out everywhere.

The phone slipped from my fingers and crashed onto the floor as tears burned down my cheeks.

How did this get out? Who could do this to us?

My father gripped my shoulders. "Please," he said, his voice breaking. "Just tell me that's not you. Tell me I'm overreacting."

All my moments with Hardin flashed in my mind. Silent sobs followed; I couldn't look him in the eyes.

He shook his head. "You've disappointed me, Elena." He sniffed, trying to hold himself together.

"How could you allow this to happen?" His voice cracked, trembling with anger and disbelief. "He's my best friend-old enough to be your father, like an uncle to you!"

I could barely breathe.

"I didn't..."

His stare burned my words away.

"It was.." I choked, trying to explain, but no word could undo it.

My father ran a hand through his hair.

Then.

Shouting erupted outside. Distance at first, then rapidly growing louder.

My feet went cold.

My parents exchanged tense glances. My mother swallowed; my father's fists clenched.

*Leave our society!*

*Your family is disgusting!*

*We can't live in the same country as them!*

*Send them away!*

*Their daughter will corrupt our girls*

The chants landed against our house like violent waves. Stones slammed into our door. Glass rattled. Heavy kicks followed.

A chill ran through my spine.

"They're going to break the door if we don't open it," my mother whispered, her voice splintering. "Gideon..."

"I've called my lawyer. He's on his way," my father muttered.

"They'll get in before he arrives."

Another rock hit the door. The wood groaned.

"I'll go outside and speak to them."

My father moved toward the entrance.

I rushed to him.

"Father, please. Don't go. It's dangerous."

He didn't spare me a glance.

"You should have thought of us before you acted- if you really cared about this family."

He shoved my hands away.

"Take her to her room," he told my mother. "She shouldn't come out."

He left for the door.

My mother's fingers clamped around my wrist, dragging me down the hallway.

I turned-just as the door closed behind him.

___

We entered my room and I collapsed onto the floor, crushed. My mother knelt in front of me, and when our eyes met, her pain shattered me.

"Elena, my dear."

"Mom..." My voice cracked.

"I swear, I didn't mean to disgrace you or Father," I said, clenching my fists. "Please believe me."

She pulled me into her arms.

"It's going to be okay," she whispered, but her arms tightened around me like she didn't believe it.

I nodded. Even though I wasn't sure it would ever be.

I've loved Hardin for years. I wanted him to look at me. But I never meant for this to happen.

___

Minutes later, I paced my room, biting my nails with my hands shaking.

My mother had gone to see what was happening outside and still hadn't returned.

Were they hurting my father? Why wasn't she back yet?

I couldn't even step outside.

My phone buzzed endlessly on the bed. I grabbed it.

Jordan-my best friend and Hardin's cousin-had already seen the video.

Calls kept coming. I ignored them.

How was I going to explain this to him? He would be disappointed in me, just like my parents.

A text popped in. It read: "Are you okay, Elena? Where are you? Why didn't you pick up? Don't do anything stupid. My brother will handle everything. Don't worry."

Tears blurred my vision.

I had to reach Hardin. I needed him.

I rushed to my closet and grabbed a long black gown, a cap, and a mask.

I slipped into them.

No one would recognize me this way.

I pushed the window open slowly, the hinges creaking faintly as my heart jumped into my throat.

I listened. No footsteps. No voices closer.

Then I slipped outside. The front gate was crowded, so I followed the back way, brushing along the shortcut until I reached the highway.

I flagged down a taxi and got in.

"Where to, young lady?" The taxi driver asked.

"Kings' Empire," I replied in a lowered voice.

He glanced at me. "That company?" he scoffed. "The one where the boss slept with his best friend's daughter? Disgusting."

My stomach twisted. Would this affect Hardin too?

They were going to destroy him, and I couldn't even open my mouth.

When we arrived, I paid him and stepped out-to be met with cameras, flashes, too many eyes.

My pulse roared.

No one would recognize me, I hoped.

I pushed my way inside. A reporter's hand accidentally knocked off my cap. I froze.

Shouting stopped.

I felt the weight of the crowd turn on me as the cameras flashed in my face.

Another reporter pulled off my mask.

*Miss Elena Creed, what do you have to say about the video with your boss?*

*Does he sleep with his female staff before hiring them?*

*Did your father know about this?*

My mind went blank. No one stepped forward.

One word from me could destroy everything-Hardin, my father, even me.

The questions were loud. My breath came in ragged gasps.

"Look here, Miss Creed!"

A microphone nearly hit my mouth.

I couldn't move-back or forward.

My eyes searched for an exit.

Then the lobby doors swung open and the shouting stopped.

Even the cameras seemed to pause.

And there he was. Hardin Kings.

He looked untouchable, while I felt myself falling apart.

His gaze found mine-calm and controlled, as if the chaos around him were just background noise.

All cameras turned to him.

*Tell us what happened!*

*Why did you take advantage of your best friend's daughter?*

*Tell us, Mr. Kings!*

He smiled.

It wasn't the smile he gives investors or my father. This one was different.

My fingers curled tightly. What was he planning?

Then his voice calm-firm, cutting through the silence.

"What do you mean by advantage? Elena Creed is my fiancée."