Just Once

Chapter15-Sofia

The door clicked shut behind me, the sound echoing louder than it should have in the quiet of my suite. I leaned back against it, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath, trying to steady the erratic rhythm of my heartbeat.

What just happened?

I pressed my fingers to my lips, the memory of Zayden's kiss still lingering there, warm and disarming. It had been impulsive, unexpected, and... infuriating. I hated that it had caught me off guard. I hated even more that I had let it happen.

No. This wasn't the time to dwell on foolish distractions. I pushed off the door, forcing myself to move, to do something-anything-that would ground me. The suite was immaculate, as always, but it felt too quiet, too still.

I walked to the minibar, pouring myself a glass of wine. The rich red liquid swirled in the glass as I took a sip, letting the sharp taste cut through the fog in my mind.

Zayden Meadows.

He was a complication I didn't need, a wildcard I couldn't afford. And yet, there he was, worming his way into my thoughts, my plans, my carefully constructed walls.

I set the glass down with a little more force than necessary, the sound breaking the silence. No. I couldn't let this derail me. Marcus Lang was the priority. The Society was the priority.

I moved to the desk, flipping open my laptop. The information we'd gathered tonight was promising-Lang's connections, his movements, the subtle patterns that hinted at something bigger. I focused on that, on the work, letting it consume me like it always did.

But even as I worked, my mind kept drifting back to the elevator, to the way Zayden's eyes had darkened, the way his voice had softened when he said my name.

I shook my head, frustrated.

The hours ticked by, the glow of my laptop screen the only light in the room. By the time I finally leaned back in my chair, the city outside was cloaked in darkness, the hum of traffic a distant murmur.

I should have been satisfied with the progress we'd made tonight, but I wasn't. Lang was a piece of the puzzle, yes, but the picture was still incomplete. And the closer I got to the truth, the more dangerous it became.

A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts.

I frowned, glancing at the clock. It was late-too late for anyone to be paying me a visit.

Crossing the room, I opened the door to find Zayden standing there, his tie gone, his shirt slightly rumpled, and that infuriating smirk tugging at his lips.

"What do you want, Zayden?" I asked, my tone sharper than I intended.

He leaned casually against the doorframe, his gaze sweeping over me in a way that made me want to slam the door in his face-or pull him inside.

"Just checking in," he said, his voice smooth. "You seemed a little... distracted earlier."

My jaw tightened. "I'm fine."

"Are you?" he asked, his tone teasing, but there was something else there, something deeper.

I crossed my arms, leaning against the doorframe to mirror him. "If you have something to say, Zayden, say it. Otherwise, leave."

For a moment, he didn't respond, his gaze searching mine as if he was trying to figure me out. Then he stepped closer, his voice dropping.

"You can pretend all you want, Sofia, but I know that kiss meant something."

My breath hitched, but I refused to let him see the effect his words had on me. "It meant nothing," I said, my voice cold. "It was a mistake."

"Was it?" he asked, his smirk fading.

"Yes," I said firmly, stepping back and gripping the edge of the door. "And it won't happen again."

For a moment, neither of us moved, the tension between us thick enough to cut. Then he nodded, his expression unreadable.

"Goodnight, Petal," he said, turning and walking away.

I closed the door, leaning against it once more, my chest rising and falling with uneven breaths.

It didn't matter what Zayden thought. It didn't matter what I felt.

This wasn't about us. It was about The Society. It was about winning.

And I would win.

No matter the cost.

But I couldn't ignore the guilt squeezing my chest tighter and tighter until I couldn't breath-

Images of his smirk fading , his disappointed 'Goodnight' and the heart broken tone he'd tried to hide all made my head hurt.

Before I knew it I was doing I was out my door.

"Zayden! Wait!" He turned eyeing me with confusion but before he could ask me anything I wrapped my arms around him in a tight embrace.

"I'm sorry so so sorry Zayden."

Then I didn't know what this beautiful moment of realization would turn into.