Temptation's Edge

Chapter 1: Midnight Cravings

The click of my heels echoed through the empty hallway as I stormed out of Maxwell’s office, my blood boiling hotter than a summer sidewalk. The image of Camilla, that smug little vixen, wiping her mouth with a taunting smirk burned into my mind. And Maxwell—oh, that bastard—just stared at me, his eyes glinting with something dangerous, something that made my stomach twist in ways I refused to acknowledge. 'Busy,' I’d spat at him, my voice dripping with venom. 'Carry on, I’ll find my way home.'

Camilla had the audacity to perch on his lap like a trophy, purring, 'Good for you, because my baby and I are just getting started, and we’re going to be here for a very long time.' The way she dragged out 'very' made me want to slap that smirk right off her face. But I didn’t. I turned on my heel and left, reminding myself that Maxwell meant nothing to me. Nothing.

Hours later, after venting to Adele and slipping into one of her scandalously tight dresses, I found myself at a club, scanning the dimly lit room for a distraction. Someone to make me forget the ache that Maxwell’s betrayal—yes, betrayal, damn it—had ignited. 'Girl, you’re on a mission tonight,' Adele teased, sipping her martini with a wicked grin. 'Find a hot stranger to clear out those cobwebs, huh?'

I smirked, running a hand over the fabric hugging my curves. 'Damn right. I’m horny as hell, and it’s been way too long since I’ve had a real man between my thighs. Maxwell was the last, and that was five fucking years ago.' My body ached for it—wild, passionate, sweaty sex that would leave me panting and spent. But as I scanned the sparse crowd, no one measured up. I kept seeing Maxwell’s chiseled jaw, those piercing eyes, and that infuriating smirk. Disgusted with myself, I danced with Adele until we called it a night.

'If your husband throws you out, don’t hesitate to call me,' Adele said as she dropped me off in front of the house.

'He’s too busy with Camilla to even notice I’m gone,' I shot back, hugging her before stepping out. But when I reached the door, my key wouldn’t work. I banged on it, frustration mounting with every futile twist of the lock. 'Did this asshole change the damn locks?' I muttered, dialing Adele’s number. Just as it rang, the door swung open.

There stood Maxwell, shirtless, in nothing but grey sweatpants that hung low on his hips. My eyes betrayed me, trailing down his sculpted chest, past the V of his waist, to the unmistakable outline of his cock straining against the fabric. My mouth went dry. This—this was exactly what I’d been craving at the club. I snapped myself out of it, glaring at him. 'Why the hell did you change the locks?'

He crossed his arms, his biceps flexing as he leaned against the doorframe. 'Why are you just coming home at this hour, Amelia? Where’ve you been, dressed like that?' His voice was low, a dangerous growl that sent a shiver down my spine.

I pushed past him, my shoulder brushing against his bare skin, the heat of it searing me. 'None of your damn business,' I snapped, but before I could get far, he moved faster than I expected. In a blur, my back hit the wall, and Maxwell caged me in with his body, his hands braced on either side of my head. His scent—musky, intoxicating—filled my senses, and I hated how my pulse raced.

'Answer me,' he demanded, his breath hot against my ear. 'Where were you, looking like you’re begging to be fucked?'

I tilted my chin up, meeting his gaze with fire in my eyes. 'Maybe I was. Maybe I was out looking for someone to give me what you clearly can’t, since you’re so busy with your little playthings.' My words were sharp, cutting, but my body betrayed me, heat pooling between my thighs as I felt the hardness of him pressing closer.

His jaw clenched, and a dark, hungry look flashed in his eyes. 'You think you can just walk out and find someone better? No one’s gonna make you wet like I do, Amelia. No one’s gonna make you scream like I can.'

I laughed, a bitter, challenging sound. 'Oh, please. I’ve been dripping for a real man all night, Maxwell. Too bad you’re too busy getting blowjobs under your desk to notice.' My voice was steady, but my breath hitched as his hand slid down the wall, brushing against my hip.

His smirk returned, lethal and promising. 'Keep talking, sweetheart. I’m about to remind you exactly why you can’t stay away.' And with that, he closed the distance, his lips hovering just an inch from mine, the tension between us crackling like a live wire, ready to ignite.