Through Your Layers

Chapter 1: Seeing Beyond

The city buzzed below like a hive of secrets, and from her penthouse office, Vivian Cross saw it all—literally. At thirty-two, she was the CEO of CrossTech, a tech empire built on innovation, grit, and a little something extra: a prototype contact lens that gave her X-ray vision. She’d developed it herself, a guarded secret meant for medical advancements, but damn if it didn’t come with perks. Like right now, as she leaned against the glass wall of her office, staring down at the street, peeling back the layers of suits and skirts to the raw, pulsing bodies beneath. It wasn’t just flesh she saw—it was desire, heat, the unspoken wants etched into every muscle.

Her phone buzzed, snapping her out of her voyeuristic haze. 'Damon Reed' flashed on the screen. Her lead engineer, her right-hand man, and the only person who knew about the lenses. Also, the only man who could make her pulse race without even trying.

“Viv, you up there playing God again?” His voice was a low growl, teasing but sharp, cutting through the line like a blade.

She smirked, adjusting the lens settings with a subtle tap at her temple, turning off the X-ray mode. “If I’m God, Damon, you’re my favorite sinner. What do you want?”

“Got the new schematics for the lens upgrade. Thought you’d wanna see ‘em before the board meeting. Or are you too busy stripping strangers with your eyes?”

Vivian laughed, a throaty sound that echoed in the empty office. “Careful, Reed. I might turn my gaze on you next. See what you’re hiding under that smug grin.”

“Darlin’, you don’t need tech for that. I’m an open book. Just say the word.” His tone dipped, suggestive, and she felt a flicker of heat low in her belly. Damn him.

“Get up here,” she commanded, her voice steel wrapped in silk. “And bring the schematics. I’m not in the mood for games.”

“Bullshit,” he shot back. “You’re always in the mood.”

Minutes later, the elevator dinged, and Damon strode in, all lean muscle and cocky swagger, a tablet tucked under his arm. His dark eyes locked on hers, and she didn’t need X-ray vision to see the challenge in them. She tapped her temple, activating the lenses again, just for a split second. His body beneath the fitted shirt and jeans was a map of hard lines and taut strength, and she bit her lip, switching the vision off before she lost focus.

“Like what you see, boss?” he drawled, dropping the tablet on her desk and stepping closer, close enough that she could smell the faint spice of his cologne.

“You’re fishing, Damon,” she said, crossing her arms, her tailored blazer hugging her curves. “But I’ll bite. You’ve got a body worth staring at. Too bad your mouth ruins it.”

He grinned, unfazed, leaning in until their faces were inches apart. “My mouth does a lot of things, Viv. Ruin isn’t one of ‘em. Wanna test that theory?”

Her breath hitched, but she didn’t back down. She never did. “You think you can handle me, Reed? I don’t play nice.”

“Good,” he murmured, his voice a rough whisper. “I like it rough.”

The air crackled between them, charged with unspoken promises. Vivian’s fingers itched to grab him, to pull him closer, to feel that hard body pressed against hers. She could already imagine it—his cock straining against her, her pussy aching for him, wet and ready. But she held back, savoring the tension, the game. Her eyes flicked to the glass wall, the city sprawling below, and she smirked.

“Strip,” she ordered, her tone leaving no room for argument. “Let’s see if the real thing matches what I’ve already seen.”

Damon’s grin widened, his hands moving to his shirt buttons, slow and deliberate. “Your turn, Viv. Fair’s fair. I wanna see you dripping for me.”

Her laugh was sharp, dangerous, as she stepped closer, her own fingers teasing at the edge of her blazer. The room felt hotter, their breaths already panting, bodies sweating with anticipation. This was just the beginning, and they both knew it was about to explode.