Forbidden Embrace

Tension in the air

Rafael:

The tension between them was almost palpable as Rybak struggled to steady his thoughts, his mind racing with conflicting emotions. “Oh, lord! Why am I even here at this hour?” he muttered to himself, feeling the pull of Rafael's ocean-blue eyes. They seemed to drown him every time he looked into them, stirring up feelings he couldn't quite control.

Rybak’s mind replayed the moment at the mall when Rafael had appeared, like some sort of guardian angel, saving him from an awkward situation. "Look what you’ve done to me, Mr. Saviour!" he thought, frustration and admiration mingling in his chest. “I couldn’t even tell you that day how cool you looked, how safe you made me feel. But now, here I am, dealing with the mess you've left behind—my so-called relationship falling apart, and I can’t seem to escape this loop.”

He snapped back to reality when Rafael’s soft, yet slightly nervous voice broke through his thoughts. "Hellooo… Excuse me, Mr.…? Can you hear me? Is something wrong with your ears?"

Rybak blinked, realising Rafael had been talking to him. “Ummm… I’m sorr— for wasting your time like this. I just wanted to thank you for earlier at the mall. Nothing more—sorry…I was being so timid…”

But Rybak could see right through Rafael’s flustered exterior. "Wait—did you really just come here to say thank you? No, right? Tell me I’m wrong!" His thoughts whirled. "Oh Jesus Christ… Ahhh! He’s such a cutiepie… How can I resist him now that he’s here? But those innocent eyes… I can’t let him go just like this! I need to think, "No one should see him with me at this hour."

With sudden resolve, Rybak spoke up. “Uh—Mr. Symphony! I actually had your purse with me. You left it at the café that day, in a hurry. Would you mind coming up to my office to get it? It’s upstairs.”

Rafael’s eyes widened at the unexpected invitation. His thoughts immediately jumped to all the “what ifs” swirling in his mind. He nodded, his gaze dropping to the floor. “Yes, sir. I can, if you wouldn’t mind.”

Rybak was momentarily mesmerised  by Rafael’s deep, sexy voice. He stood there, slightly dazed, as Rafael entered the lift. As they rode up to the fifth floor, the silence between them grew thick with unspoken tension. They stole glances at each other, each time feeling the air spark between them. Rybak’s heart pounded in his chest, and he accidentally grazed Rafael’s ear as he pressed the button for the fifth floor.

Rafael’s face flushed a deep red at the touch, and he froze, his heart racing. Rybak could feel his own pulse quicken, and he desperately tried to calm himself down. “I need to break this tension,” he thought, but every attempt at conversation fell flat. 

When they finally reached the fifth floor, Rybak led Rafael to his office. He noticed the cold espresso still sitting on his desk, untouched. Deciding they needed something to break the ice, he went to the cafeteria and returned with two fresh cups of espresso. Rafael quickly took one from his hand, his eyes downcast.

The dim light made it difficult for Rafael to meet Rybak’s gaze, and he felt his mind drifting to scenes from the romance novels he’d read—scenes where tension like this always led to something more. As he sipped his espresso, he could feel Rybak's eyes on his lips, watching his every move. 

The tension between them reached a boiling point when Rybak leaned down to fetch the purse from the lower drawer of his desk. As he did, he lost his balance and accidentally fell onto Rafael. Time seemed to slow as their bodies pressed together, the world outside vanishing, leaving only the two of them in this charged moment. As Rybak steadied himself after the accidental fall, his breath caught in his throat. He was close enough to Rafael to feel the warmth radiating from him, their proximity amplifying the electricity in the air. Rybak’s thoughts became a whirlpool of desire and hesitation, and one thought surged to the forefront of his mind, I want to put my lips on you... like that espresso.You're the only thing I wanna touch. right here!

The idea hit him hard, almost overwhelming in its intensity. He imagined the taste of Rafael’s lips, the same way the rich, warm espresso had lingered on his tongue. The thought was intoxicating, and he found it nearly impossible to pull away. His heart raced, his pulse drumming in his ears as he struggled to maintain his composure.

Every inch of his skin being screamed to close the distance, to bridge the gap between them with a kiss that would erase all the doubts and hesitations. But he hesitated, the moment hanging in the air, charged with the weight of what could happen next.

Daphne: 

Daphne’s anxiety had reached a fever pitch as she desperately tried to reach Rybak. Her book, the talk of the town, was on the line, and she needed his input to make critical updates. Her frustration mounted with each missed call—ten in total—each one echoing her growing dread of losing her status and reputation.Her frustration grew as she realised her work's reputation and her own professional standing were on the line.

Everleaf: 

Unable to wait any longer, Daphne quickly got dressed and called Selene, asking her to come along. She instructed Selene to meet her in front of her house. Meanwhile, Daphne called Rybak's office to check his availability, her urgency palpable. The information offered a glimmer of hope, from Everleaf Publishing that Rybak was working late in his cabin on the drafts she had sent him earlier that day.

An hour later, Daphne and Selene arrived at Everleaf Publishing in Sunset Valley. The streets were quieter than usual, easing their journey. Daphne and Selene were met with a brief interrogation by the security at the building's entrance. After convincing them of the urgency of her visit, the security guard allowed her entry.

Selene, staying behind in the car, was left to endure the cold, lonely night while Daphne moved through the deserted and dimly lit office building, her footsteps echoing in the silence. The office was deserted, the stillness heightening her nerves.When she finally reached the door, she hesitated for a moment, feeling a mix of tension and curiosity. Daphne caught sight of Rybak and Rafael, immersed in a moment of intense focus and closeness, peering through the slightly ajar door.

The distance between them seemed to stretch endlessly, each step filled with mounting tension. When she finally reached his cabin, she hesitated outside the door, feeling an odd mix of anticipation and excitement.

 He was deeply engrossed in that moment , his focus intense and his demeanour absorbed in the task at hand. Daphne’s breath caught in her throat as she watched, feeling both captivated and intoxicated by the sight. The intimate, secluded moment between Rybak and Rafael seemed to draw her in, amplifying her emotions as she stood there, hidden and watching.

Author's note:

Everleaf - Rybak's publishing company