The drive home went by in a blur, as Adrian's words echoed relentlessly in my mind. 'I want you Lena Marsh, and I'm gonna get you'.  How could he say something like that? So bold, so unapologetic, especially after I'd clearly told him I was married. He was crossing a line, no doubt, but God, it felt intoxicating. Heat had pooled low in my belly the moment he leaned in, his hand sliding gently over mine, his breath warm against my ear as he whispered it.

I loved Noah and I can't leave him for anyone. Not even for the dangerously irresistible, heartbreakingly gorgeous brother of my boss.

The taxi pulled up to my building, and I hurried upstairs, fumbling with the keys. My cheeks were bright red, like a tomato. When I caught my reflection in the hallway mirror, my hand drifted absentmindedly to my lips. I traced them slowly, imagining how his lips would have tasted had he leaned in and kissed me at the restaurant.

Shaking that thought, I stripped off the beige gown, as it fell to my feet, and wrapped myself in my soft robe. I turned the faucet on, stepping under the icy spray. It poured all over me, shocking my heated skin, cooling the flush on my face and the ache throbbing between my thighs.

"Fuck," I whispered aloud, my voice echoing. "Did I just get wet for Adrian Blackwood?"

I exhaled shakily, running wet hands through my hair. I shut off the water, slipped the robe back on, and moved to the bedroom. I chose my favorite red nightwear, the silky one that hugged my curves like lingerie, thin straps and lace trim that always made me feel secretly sexy. I applied my lip balm, put on my bonnet to protect my curls, then walked to the kitchen.

I checked the time and it was 9:30 p.m and there were countless missed calls and texts from Noah, both from yesterday and today. I'd been ignoring them because I didn't feel like talking to him. I opened the fridge, pulled out the leftover creamy pasta and chicken wings, scooped out some and microwaved it, because I knew he would be late again. I set the table neatly, like the supportive wife I kept trying to be.

Just as I finished, my phone buzzed on the counter. I picked it up and it was a message from an unknown number. 'Did I cross the line today?' My breath caught as my fingers trembled as I stared at the screen. I hadn't given Adrian my number-how did he...? Before I could process it, another message popped up. 'Because if I did, I don't regret it'.

A thrilling smile crept across my face before I could stop it. Just then the front door clicked open and Noah walked in, looking exhausted, but his eyes lit up the second he saw me in the red nightwear. "Baby," he said softly, dropping his bag and crossing the room in three strides. He pulled me into a tight hug, his arms wrapping around my waist like he was afraid I'd vanish. "I'm truly sorry about yesterday. No matter how busy I was, I should never have forgotten our anniversary and I shouldn't have taken you for granted. I'll be better, I swear I'll do better. Just please forgive me."

His words were honest, nervous, and pleading, but they barely registered in my head. My mind was still on those texts, as Adrian's bold confession kept replaying on loop.

When I didn't respond immediately, he pulled back, studying my face with concern. "Lena? Babe?"

"Uhn sorry," I blinked, forcing myself back. "I zoned out for a second. It's fine. I'm not upset anymore. It's in the past." I stepped away, and headed to the bed. He didn't push or argue, he just smiled gratefully and started unbuttoning his shirt. I climbed into bed, with my phone in hand, staring at Adrian's messages.

"Did anything happen at the office today?" he asked lightly, nodding toward my screen. "You were staring at your phone and smiling when I walked in. I can't remember the last time I saw you smile like that. It's... really good to see." He said as he stood there, stark naked and unselfconscious, waiting for my answer.

I chuckled softly, locking the screen. "It was just Maya. She sent me something funny. That's all." He accepted it with a nod, and headed to the shower. The moment the bathroom door closed, I leaned back against the headboard, biting my nails, as my heart raced, I typed. 'Are you flirting with me, Mr. Blackwood?' Then I hit send. 

His reply came almost instantly. 'Is that what it is? I never knew. But is it working?' Smiley emoji. I chuckled quietly, warmth spreading through me. He was trouble, a dangerous, sweet, addictive trouble, and hell-I wanted every bit of it. 

Noah came out from the shower minutes later, already dried up. He sat at the table, digging into the dinner I'd warmed. I stayed in bed, my attention glued to my phone, as I exchanged teasing texts with Adrian. Every buzz sent a thrill through me, a part of me wished I was still with him laughing over champagne, lost in those intense eyes, rather than being here.

I was paying no attention to what Noah was saying until his voice sharpened. "Lena? Baby, are you listening at all? I feel like I've been talking to myself for the last fifteen minutes."

He stood, carrying his empty plate to the sink. "Uh-sorry," I said quickly, setting my phone face-down. "Just got distracted, what were you saying?"

He turned, drying his hands, his brow furrowed. "Are you okay? You've been acting weird since I got home. Is it because of what happened? I said I was sorry, I really didn't mean-"

"No, Noah," I interrupted gently, faking a yawn and stretching under the covers. "It's not that. I just had a really stressful day at work, so I'm exhausted. I think I should head to bed now."

He nodded, just as his smile returned. "Alright. That's fair. I'll join you as soon as I'm done here."

That bright, hopeful smile made my heart feel guilty, like I was already cheating on him with every secret text, every forbidden fantasy. But my body screamed the opposite,  that this pull I felt toward Adrian was right, alive, and electric.

I rolled away from Noah's side of the bed, facing the wall, as I slid my phone under the pillow. Soon the bed dipped as he climbed in. His arm wrapped around my waist, as he pulled me back against his warm chest. He nuzzled my neck, as his lips trailed soft kisses down my skin.

"I missed you," he murmured, his hand sliding lower, slipping beneath the lace of my panties. His fingers found my clit, as he started rubbing slow circles.

I moaned softly, arching into his touch. I turned to face him now, kissing him deeply hungry, and intense. His pace quickened around my entrance, teasing. My hand slipped under his shorts, stroking him slowly until he hardened fully. He moved above me swiftly, taking  my panties off in one quick move. He trusted inside hard, and fast. I gasped, my nails digging into his back as he drove deeper. He lifted my legs to his shoulders, as he pushed further, the rhythm alternating, fast, then slow, then faster again.

I kissed him desperately, like I was drowning and he was the air I needed. Craving him more, I needed him to take me deeper, to make me scream until my vision blurred and my eyes rolled back, but that didn't happen. With Noah, foreplay was always rushed, and minimal. I'd tried for years to spice things up, I suggested sex toys, different positions, lingering touches, anything but he never quite got it. For him, it was about release. Quick, and straightforward. He came with a low groan, collapsing beside me, breathing hard. He kissed my forehead tenderly. "Love you," he whispered, as he turned his back facing the other side.

I lay there panting, body still thrumming, still wet, horny, aching, unsatisfied, angry and frustrated that this was what our my sex life had become. Boring, predictable, always leaving me wanting. But despite my unmet need, only one face filled my mind. One man I imagined above me, inside me, driving me to the edge I'd been chasing for years. One man whose name I wanted to scream until my voice broke. Adrian Blackwood.

Little did I know, he wasn't the only one who wanted me for himself, and I was stepping blindly into a war I never knew existed.

Adrian's POV

I want her. 

But not in the same way I wanted other women. Not as a trophy nor as a property for display. I want her because this is something else entirely, something i can't even figure out yet. From the very first moment I laid eyes on Lena Marsh, a fire ignited inside me that I've never felt before. She's different, different from every woman I've ever come across and trust me, I've been with alot of women. Women from different backgrounds, cities, countries, even continents. I've lost count of the nights spent in penthouses in London, the villas in the South of France, the yachts off the coast of Monaco. They came easily, stayed briefly, and left without a trace. But none of them ever made me feel this way, none of them has ever made me feel this happy and excited as she does. 

Coming back to the country, and stepping back into the family company, it had felt like a reluctant obligation at first, something I'd been avoiding for years. But now it turned out to be the best decision I've ever made. Because now I have a reason to be here, a real reason and that reason is Lena.

It's been about a week since I started working here. A week filled with fun, effortless moments of making her laugh with stories from my travels, watching her eyes light up as she listens. A week of talking to her freely without the fear of being judged, or having to hide who I really am. The fact that she's married doesn't bother me, not in the slightest. Maybe because I've had older women threw themselves at me in the past, those who sought the thrill of something forbidden. 

But with Lena, that ring on her finger looks nothing more than a decoration, a facade on the surface and I could tell by the way she looks at me, the way she gives me those soft secretive smiles that curve her lips when she thinks no one is watching and that shows she wants me just as fiercely as I want her. I'm certain of it. And I am prepared to go to any lengths, any lengths at all to make her mine.

I had only just settled into my office that morning, the city skyline stretching endlessly beyond the glass walls, when the door flew open. Of course. It was Ethan. He has always done that ever since we were kids and it doesn't surprise me anymore. I lifted my gaze from the laptop screen, staring at him with a deliberate irritated smirk, the one I know drives him mad. "Ethan," I said, my voice dripping with mock displeasure. "To what do I owe this unpleasant surprise?"

He slammed the door shut behind him and walked further into my office, with his hands buried in his pockets. He stopped directly in front of my desk, and gently placed his hand in the table, leaning forward with that cold expression he always has.

"Okay," I sighed, closing the laptop slowly "Straight down to business, I suppose."

"I know what you're doing, Adrian," he said, his voice low and edged. "And you have to stop it."

I blinked, genuinely surprised. "I'm sorry, it seems I'm missing something here. Do you mind being more specific? Because I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Oh, please," he sneered, straightening up and shoving his hands deeper into his pockets. "Don't act ignorant Adrian, it doesn't suit you. You know exactly what I'm talking about. I'm talking about Lena."

I scratched my head lightly, tilting it in confusion. "Lena?" I repeated slowly, as if searching my memory. "Lena... why does that name sound so familiar?"

His eyes narrowed dangerously, as the muscle in his jaw tightened.

"Wait-" I snapped my fingers, as a wide grin swept across my face. "Do you mean Lena Marsh? Your assistant?"

He bit his lower lip, it was a habit, something he doesn't whenever he is trying to keep his temper in check.

"Okay," I continued, as I leaned back in my chair lazily. "So what about Lena? I'm assuming this has something to do with her."

"I want you to stay away from her, Adrian," he said calmly, too calmly.

That caught my attention. I crossed my arms, smiling broadly. "May I ask why you want me to do that?."

"You know why Adrian," he replied coldly. "You have a habit of destroying everything you touch, and I won't allow you to do that to her. Whatever this is, whatever little game you're playing, it ends it right now." He reached for the crystal glass on the side table, poured himself a generous measure of whiskey without asking.

I chuckled softly, pushing away from the chair and rounding the desk until I stood a few inches away from him leaning on the table, close enough to see the tension coiling in his shoulders.

"So let me get this straight," I said, keeping my voice light but laced with like a challenge. "You want me to stay away from Lena for no reason whatsoever? I mean that's strange, don't you think so?"

He exhaled heavily, took a slow sip of the whiskey, then spoke again. "This is a workplace Adrian, not your personal playground for frolicking, or whatever it is you do with women. The company policy explicitly states, no indecent involvement with the staff will be tolerated or condoned. And given your history, and considering the fact that you're new here, I decided to deliver the message personally." He finished the drink in one swift motion, setting the glass down with a sharp clink.

I nodded slowly, as if I was carefully considering his words, then I met his gaze, my eyes filled with mischief. "All right, Ethan. I understand and I'll abide by the company policy." I paused, tilting my head. "But I do have one question though. Why is the CEO suddenly so concerned about the well-being of one particular employee? Not just any one but his personal assistant. You and I both know you don't give a shit about anyone except yourself. So why? You can at least tell me that much."

His jaw tightened visibly and his fists clenched at his sides. Ethan was a little bit taller than I am, by a couple of inches but when we stand this close to each other, our eyes are usually on the same level. He stared at me for a long time and turned to leave but then I spoke. 

"Unless..." I drawled, letting the word linger like a smoke. "He's interested in her too." I paused, dropping the final blow with a lazy smirk. "You're interested in Lena, ain't you?"

He turned to look at me, those cold eyes staring back at me. "I have no idea what you're talking about Adrian," he said, calmly. "This isn't about me, it's about you, it's about the company, and what's best for it. Unlike you, I don't just chase after anything in a skirt."

Then he turned back to the door, his hand on the doorknob, he paused, long enough to deliver one last warning over his shoulder. "Stay away from her, Adrian. I mean it."

Then he left without saying another word. Just as the door clicked shut I chuckled lightly, poured myself a drink as I carried it back to my chair. I sat down, spun around slowly to face the windows, as the sky was painted in soft golds and blues. It was beautiful, limitless, but my smile gradually faded as I turned back to the desk. I took a sip of the whiskey, savoring the slow burn, then set the glass down quietly.

I picked up my phone and dialed a number I knew by heart. It was answered on the first ring.

"Yes, sir," came the familiar hushed, professional voice.

"I need you to find out everything you can about someone for me," I said, my tone shifting into something focused. "I want you to find out about her daily routines, what she does in her spare time, her favorite meals, where her family lives, when she wakes up, when she goes to bed. Hell-even to the smallest of habits. Every single detail, down to the most insignificant. Do not leave anything out." Then I typed swiftly on the screen and pressed send. "I just forwarded her name to you. Get to work immediately."

I ended the call and leaned back, gazing out at the skyline once more. A slow, predatory smirk curved my lips as I spoke aloud to the empty room. "When I want something, I go to any lengths to get it and you, Lena Marsh... you've just become my latest obsession."

I raised the glass in a silent toast to the city and to her then took another slow, satisfying sip. "The game has just began. May the best man win."