𝘽𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙃𝙚𝙧 𝙍𝙪𝙡𝙚𝙨

Chapter 4: Unchared Territory

The party had become an overwhelming sea of noise and attention. No matter how hard I tried to focus on conversations or appear engaged, the discomfort never quite faded. The heat from the crowded room seemed to press down on me, and the stares I was drawing were starting to feel suffocating. My dress, which had seemed like a bold choice earlier, now felt like a beacon attracting unwanted attention.
I needed a break. Desperate for escape, I quietly slipped away from the festivities and made my way up to the offices.

The contrast between the bustling party and the quiet, empty cubicles was jarring. The office was a stark contrast to the lively scene downstairs-cold, sterile, and quiet.
I wandered through the cubicles, trying to calm my racing heart and regain my composure. My footsteps echoed softly as I made my way through the maze of desks and filing cabinets. Eventually, I found myself outside Grace's office.
The door was slightly ajar, and a shiver of curiosity ran through me.

I hesitated for a moment before pushing the door open. To my surprise, the office lights were off, casting the room in a dim, intimate glow from the streetlights outside. The door wasn't locked, and it creaked softly as I entered. My heart pounded as I stepped inside, looking around with a mix of anxiety and excitement.

The room was filled with Grace's personal touches- her polished desk, her neatly arranged papers, and the elegant decor that spoke of her refined taste. I moved cautiously, afraid of making any noise that might alert someone to my presence. My fingers grazed over the items on her desk— luxury pens, a leather-bound planner, and a few framed photographs.

The more I snooped, the more I felt a strange thrill. It was like I was stepping into her private world, a place I wasn't supposed to be. My curiosity was consuming me, making me forget about the party downstairs and the eyes that followed me there.

I turned my attention to the large leather chair behind her desk, running my hands over its smooth surface. My heart raced, not just from the fear of being caught, but from the heady mix of forbidden excitement and the lingering effects of Grace's earlier words. I could almost feel her presence in the room, as if she were watching me, though I knew she wasn't.

The sound of footsteps outside the door made my breath catch. I froze, my pulse pounding in my ears. I hoped that whoever it was would pass by and not notice the open door. But luck wasn't on my side.

The door swung open, and there stood Grace, her expression unreadable as she took in the sight of me in her office.

The dim light accentuated her features, her dress hugging her figure in a way that made my breath hitch. Her eyes, sharp and intense, locked onto mine with an expression that was both amused and commanding.

"Miss Bennett," she said, her voice low and authoritative. "What do you think you're doing?"

I stood there, frozen, my mind racing to come up with a plausible excuse. But no words came. The tension between us was thickening the air. Grace stepped further into the room, closing the door behind her with a soft click.

She walked toward me, her gaze never wandered. The confidence she gave off was overwhelming, and I felt a rush of heat flood my cheeks. Grace stopped just inches from me, her eyes scanning my face with a mixture of curiosity and something darker.

"You know," she said, her voice dropping to a whisper, "you've been very bold tonight."
I swallowed hard, feeling a flush spread through me.

"I-I didn't mean to intrude. I just needed a break from the party."

Grace's gaze softened slightly, though the intensity in her eyes remained. She reached out, her fingers brushing against my arm in a way that made my skin tingle. "It seems you've found yourself in quite the predicament."

Before I could respond, Grace's hand moved to the back of my neck, her touch firm and commanding. She drew me closer, her lips brushing against my ear.

"Do you know what happens to bad girls, like yourself?"

The words sent a jolt of excitement through me, mingling with the fear of getting caught. I could feel her breath warm against my skin, and my resolve began to crumble.

Grace's lips moved to my neck, her kisses soft but insistent, making me gasp. The line between professional and personal was blurring rapidly, and I was caught in the midst of it all, overwhelmed by the sheer intensity of the moment.I let out a shaky breath, my body responding instinctively to her touch.

"Nervous, huh? Were you this intimated when you were snooping through my shit?"

Every sensation was amplified, every caress sending waves of heat through me. The room seemed to close in around us, leaving nothing but the throbbing pulse of our shared desire.

As Grace continued, her hands exploring, her kisses trailing along my collarbone, I felt a mixture of guilt and exhilaration. I was losing myself in her touch, in the forbidden thrill of being caught in such an intimate moment.

The boundaries I had so carefully maintained were dissolving, and all that mattered was the heat between us.