My first day at the new job is a disaster.
Not because of the job itself, the office is nice, my coworkers seem normal, my boss is professional and encouraging.
It's a disaster because I can't focus on anything except Kane.
His hands. His voice. The way he said I love you three nights ago like it was the easiest truth he'd ever told.
The way I said it back and meant it so completely it terrifies me.
"Elena? You with us?"
I snap back to attention. My boss. Catherine, forty-something, sharp as hell, is staring at me across the conference table.
"Sorry. Yes. I'm here."
"Great. So as I was saying, the Meridian account needs a full rebrand strategy by end of week. I'm putting you on lead since you have experience with luxury markets."
Lead. On my third day.
That should excite me. Should make me feel capable and trusted.
Instead I just feel overwhelmed.
"I can handle that," I say. Sound more confident than I feel.
"Perfect. Marcus will be your support on this one."
A man across the table looks up. Mid-thirties. Fitted suit. Friendly smile.
Wait.
"Marcus?" I repeat.
"Marcus Chen. Senior strategist. He'll get you up to speed on the client's history."
Not the same Marcus who texted me. Different Marcus. Common name.
But still. The coincidence makes me uncomfortable.
"Looking forward to working with you," Marcus says. Extends his hand across the table.
I shake it. Professional. Brief.
His grip lingers half a second too long.
By lunch I'm hiding in my car, phone pressed to my ear.
Kane answers on the first ring. "Hey baby. How's day one?"
"Terrible. I can't focus. I keep thinking about you."
His laugh is low. Warm. "Good. I've been thinking about you too."
"That's not good, Kane. I need to be professional.
Make a good impression. Not daydreaming about..." I lower my voice even though I'm alone.
"...about your mouth on me."
"That was a very good night."
"Focus. I'm spiraling here."
"You're going to be fine. You're brilliant. They're lucky to have you."
"You're biased."
"Extremely. Doesn't make it less true."
I close my eyes. Let his voice ground me. "Can I see you tonight?"
"I have dinner with Mara. Her mom's in town. Family thing."
Right. Family thing. That I'm not part of because I'm the secret.
"Okay," I say. Try not to sound disappointed.
"Tomorrow though. My place. I'll cook."
"You always cook."
"You complaining about my cooking?"
"Never. Your jollof is better than my mom's. Don't tell her I said that."
He laughs. "Your secret's safe with me."
Secrets. We're so good at those.
"I should go," I say. "Lunch break's almost over."
"Elena?"
"Yeah?"
"I love you."
Three words. Simple. Devastating.
"I love you too," I whisper.
When I hang up I feel better. Steadier.
Until I walk back into the office and Marcus Chen is waiting by my desk.
"Hey. Wanted to go over the Meridian files. You free?"
No. I want to go home and sleep for twelve hours.
"Sure. Let me grab my laptop."
We settle into a conference room. He pulls up presentation decks. Client history. Market research.
He's thorough. Professional. Explains everything clearly.
And he keeps looking at me.
Not creepy. Just... interested.
"You're picking this up fast," he says after an hour.
"Most people take weeks to get up to speed on accounts this complex."
"I had good training at my last job."
"NetworkDyne, right? I heard you left recently. Everything okay there?"
The question feels loaded. Like he's fishing.
"Just ready for a change," I say carefully.
"Fair enough. Well, we're glad to have you." He smiles. "If you ever want to grab coffee. Talk strategy. Or just decompress about the corporate hellscape. I'm around."
Is he... is he asking me out?
No. He's being friendly. Collegial.
Right?
"Thanks," I manage. "I'll keep that in mind."
That night I'm at Mara's apartment. Girls' night. Wine and reality TV and pretending everything is normal.
Except nothing is normal.
She's talking about her mom. How the divorce was hard but they're all in better places now. How her dad seems happier lately.
"He's definitely seeing someone," Mara says.
Sprawled on her couch, wine glass in hand. "He's been weird. Secretive. Smiling at his phone."
My stomach drops. "Maybe he's just... happy to be back."
"No. This is different. He's got that look. You know, the 'I'm getting laid regularly' look."
Ewo.
"You think he'd tell you?" I ask. "If he was seeing someone?"
"Eventually. Maybe. He's private about that stuff."
She sighs. "I just hope she's nice. Not some gold-digger who wants his money."
"I'm sure she's not." I stop myself. Can't defend myself in third person. "I'm sure whoever she is, she's great."
"You'd tell me, right? If you knew something? If he said something to you?"
My heart stops. "What would he tell me?"
"I don't know. You guys seemed to get along at dinner. Maybe he'd mention her. Feel you out about whether I'd be okay with it."
The wine turns sour in my stomach.
"I haven't talked to him since dinner," I lie.
Lie. Again. Always lying.
"Hmm. Well if he does, let me know. I want to meet her. Make sure she's good enough for him."
She's not. She's a lying, terrible person who's betraying you every single day.
"Will do," I say weakly.
My phone buzzes. Face down on the coffee table.
Mara grabs it before I can. "Oh, mystery man is texting you."
"Give that back."
But she's already looking at the screen. At the notification preview.
Miss you, baby girl. Can't stop thinking about...
The preview cuts off. But it's enough.
Mara's eyes widen. "BABY GIRL? He calls you baby girl?"
I snatch the phone back. Heart hammering. "It's nothing."
"Nothing? Elena, that's the most Daddy kink shit I've ever seen. Oh my God. Is he older? Please tell me he's age-appropriate and not like, fifty."
"He's not fifty." Technically true. He's forty-five.
"But he's older."
"A little."
"How much is a little?"
"I don't want to talk about this."
"Too bad. I'm your best friend. You have to tell me everything." She's grinning. Excited. Completely oblivious. "Is he hot? Successful? Good in bed?"
Yes. Yes. God yes.
"He's... yeah. All of those things."
"And you love him."
It's not a question. She can see it on my face.
"Yeah," I admit quietly. "I think I do."
"Elena! This is huge! You haven't been in love since, when? Ever? You don't do feelings."
She's right. I don't. Didn't.
Until Kane.
"It's complicated," I say.
"Why? Is he married?"
"No. God no. Nothing like that."
"Then what's complicated about it?"
Everything. Literally everything.
"Just... timing. Life stuff. I don't want to jinx it by talking about it too much."
She studies me for a long moment. "You're being weird."
"I'm not."
"You are. You've been weird for weeks. Distant. Distracted." Her expression shifts. Concerned.
"Are you okay? Like really okay?"
No. I'm drowning. I'm lying to my best friend. I'm in love with her father. I'm the worst person alive.
"I'm fine," I lie. "Just adjusting to the new job. New relationship. It's a lot."
"Okay. But Elena? You can talk to me. About anything. You know that right?"
The irony is crushing.
"I know," I whisper.
Later, after she's asleep on the couch, after I've cleaned up the wine glasses and covered her with a blanket. I step outside to call Kane.
He answers immediately. "Hey. Everything okay?"
"No. Everything is not okay."
I tell him about Mara's questions. Her suspicions.
How close I came to breaking down and confessing everything.
"Shit," he mutters when I finish. "She's catching on."
"I know. We can't keep doing this. We have to tell her."
"Not yet."
"Kane."
"Elena. Listen to me. I know this is hard. But we tell her now? Before you're settled at work? Before we've figured out how to even present this? It'll be a disaster."
"It's going to be a disaster no matter when we tell her!"
Silence.
Then: "I know. You're right. I just... I'm not ready to lose her yet."
The break in his voice gets me.
He's scared. Actually scared.
"We won't lose her," I say. Don't believe it. "She loves you. She'll understand eventually."
"You don't believe that."
"No. But I'm saying it anyway."
He laughs. Bitter. Sad. "Come over. Please. I need to see you."
"It's midnight. And Mara's here. I can't just..."
"Tomorrow then. Lunch. I'll come to you. We'll go somewhere."
"Kane, that's risky."
"I don't care. I need you, Elena. Need to hold you. Make sure you're real. Make sure we're real."
God. How can I say no to that?
"Okay. Tomorrow. Text me where."
"I will. I love you."
"I love you too."
I hang up and stand there in the dark, looking up at Mara's building.
Wondering how much longer I can keep doing this.
Wondering what happens when I can't anymore.
Kane picks a hotel.
Not for sex, though we both know that's inevitable, but because it's neutral. Private. Somewhere we can actually talk without looking over our shoulders.
I tell my boss I have a doctor's appointment. She doesn't question it.
Marcus Chen does though. Catches me on my way out.
"Lunch plans?" he asks. Casual. Too casual.
"Doctor's appointment. Nothing serious."
"Ah. Well, feel better." He smiles. "Maybe we can grab that coffee later this week?"
He's definitely asking me out.
Chai.
"Maybe," I say vaguely. "I'll check my schedule."
I escape before he can push further.
Kane's already at the hotel when I arrive. Booked a suite. Because of course he did.
The door's barely closed before he's on me.
Mouth hungry. Hands desperate. Lifting me against the wall.
"Missed you," he growls between kisses. "Fuck, I missed you."
"It's been eighteen hours."
"Too long. Way too fucking long."
His hands slide under my skirt. Find me already wet through my panties.
"Always so ready for me," he murmurs appreciatively. Rubs over the damp fabric. "My good girl."
I'm gasping. Grinding against his hand. Needing more.
"Pleasee"
"Please what, baby?"
"Please Daddy. I need you."
He carries me to the bed. Lays me down. Spreads my thighs.
"I'm going to take my time with you," he says. Dark promise in his voice. "Going to taste every inch until you're begging."
"I'm already begging."
"Not enough yet."
He strips me slowly. Deliberately. Kisses following the path of each piece of clothing.
My blouse. Kiss to my collarbone.
My skirt. Kiss to my hip.
My bra. Mouth closing over my nipple until I arch off the bed.
"Kane."
"Daddy," he corrects. Teeth grazing sensitive flesh. "When we're alone you call me Daddy."
"Daddy please."
"Better."
He moves lower. Spreads my thighs wider. And just... looks at me.
"So fucking pretty," he murmurs. "All pink and wet. Just for me."
"Just for you. Only for you."
His tongue drags slow up my center. Broad. Flat. Tasting.
I nearly come off the bed.
"Oh God"
"That's it baby girl. Let Daddy hear you."
He eats me out. Like he's memorizing what makes me shake. What makes me moan. Learning my body like a language only he speaks.
His tongue circles my clit. Flicks. Sucks gently.
I'm fisting the sheets. Thighs trembling.
"Daddy, I'm gonna... Fuckkkkk"
"Not yet." He pulls back just enough. "You cum when I say you can cum."
"Please, Argggghhh"
"Beg prettier"
"Please Daddy. Please let me cum. I need it so bad. Please."
"Good girl." Two thick fingers push inside me. Curl perfectly. "Now you can cum."
I shatter. Crying out. Clenching around his fingers while his mouth works my clit through the aftershocks.
When I can finally breathe again he's crawling up my body. Kissing me deep. I taste myself on his tongue.
"My turn," I gasp. "Let me."
"Let you what?"
"Suck your cock. Please. I want it in my mouth."
His eyes go almost black. "Fuck. You trying to kill me?"
"Maybe. Is it working?"
I lick my lips.
"Get on your knees."
I scramble into position. He strips off his jeans and boxer briefs.
And.
Gawd.
He's so hard. Thick. The piercing through his head catching the light.
I lean forward. Lick from base to tip.
He groans. Hand fisting in my hair. "Fuck, baby."
I take him in my mouth. As much as I can manage. He's big. Stretches my jaw.
"That's it. Good girl. Take Daddy's cock."
I hollow my cheeks. Bob slowly. Use my hand on what won't fit.
"Look at me," he commands. "Want to see those pretty eyes while you suck me."
I look up. Meet his gaze.
The hunger there makes me moan around him.
"Argghhh, Fu*kk,the vibration do that again"
I moan louder. Deliberately.
His grip tightens in my hair. "You're a fucking tease."
I pull off with a pop. "You love it."
"I love you." He pulls me up. Kisses me hard. "Bed. On your hands and knees. Now."
I obey. Heart racing.
Feel him position himself behind me. The blunt head of his cock pressing against my entrance.
"Ready for me, baby girl?"
"Yess. God yes. Please fuck me."
"I need your dick inside me Daddy"
He pushes in slow. So slow. Inch by inch.
The stretch is incredible. Overwhelming. Perfect.
"So tight," he groans. "So fucking perfect."
When he's fully seated he stops. Lets me adjust.
Then his hand cracks across my ass.
"That's for teasing me."
The sting makes me clench around him.
"And that." Another smack. " is for making me wait eighteen hours to have you."
"I'm sorry."
"No you're not." Smack. "But you will be."
He starts moving. Deep strokes. Hitting places that make me see stars.
"Harder," I gasp. "Please Daddy. Fu*kk me harder."
He complies. Gripping my hips. Pounding into me.
The sound of skin slapping skin fills the room.
Loud. Perfect.
"Touch yourself," he orders. "Make yourself cum on my cock."
My hand slides between my legs. Finds my clit. Circles desperately.
"That's my girl. So good for Daddy. Gonna cum all over me?"
"Yess,fuck,yes, ohh God"
"Then do it. Cum. Now."
The orgasm rips through me. Violent. All-consuming.
I'm sobbing his name. No, not his name
"Daddy! Oh God Daddy"
He follows seconds later. Groaning. Hips jerking. Filling me.
We collapse together. Breathing hard. Completely wrecked.
"Holy shit," I manage eventually.
"Yeah."
"That was..."
"I know."
He pulls me against his chest. Kisses my shoulder. Gentle now.
"You okay?" he asks softly. "I wasn't too rough?"
"Perfect. You were perfect."
"Good. Because I plan to do that again. Many times."
Despite everything I smile. "Promise promises."
We lie there. His hand tracing lazy patterns on my skin.
"I meant what I said earlier," he murmurs. "About moving in. I want you there. In my space. In my bed every night."
My chest tightens. "Kane."
"I know it's fast. I know it's crazy. But I'm forty-five years old. I know what I want. And I want you."
"What about Mara?"
"We'll tell her. Soon. Before you move in. Give her time to adjust."
"She's going to hate us."
"Maybe. For a while. But she loves me. And she loves you. Eventually she'll come around."
I want to believe him. Want to trust that love conquers all the bullshit.
"Okay," I whisper.
"Okay you'll think about it? Or okay yes?"
"Okay... I'll think about it."
He kisses my temple. "I'll take it."
That afternoon I'm back at work. Trying to focus on the Meridian rebrand.
Failing spectacularly because I can still feel Kane between my thighs. Can still hear him calling me his good girl.
Marcus Chen appears at my desk. Again.
"How was the doctor?" he asks.
Why is he so interested in my schedule?
"Fine. Routine checkup."
"Good. Hey, so I was thinking, the Meridian pitch is Friday. Maybe we should do a working dinner? Go over our strategy? Make sure we're aligned?"
A working dinner.
That's... professional. Normal. Probably a good idea actually.
So why does it feel wrong?
"Sure," I say. "That makes sense."
"Great. I know a place. Thursday night? Seven?"
"Okay. Thursday works."
He smiles. Lingers for a second like he wants to say something else.
Then just nods and walks away.
I text Kane immediately.
Working dinner Thursday night with a coworker.
Don't freak out.
His response is instant: Male coworker?
Yes but it's just work. Strategy session for a client pitch.
What's his name?
Marcus. And before you ask. No, nothing is happening. It's professional.
Three dots appear. Disappear. Appear again.
Okay. I trust you.
But?
But I don't trust him.
Kane.
I know. I know. I'm being irrational. Just... be careful.
I will. I love you.
Love you too, baby girl.
I put my phone away. Try to focus on work.
Ignore the nagging feeling that everything's about to get more complicated.
Thursday night I meet Marcus at some upscale Italian place downtown.
I dressed professionally. Blazer. Slacks. Hair up. Nothing that could be misinterpreted as date attire.
But when I walk in he's at a table in the back.
Candles. Wine already ordered.
Chai.
This looks like a date.
"Hey," I say, sliding into my seat. "This place is nice."
"Best Italian in the city. Hope you don't mind, I took the liberty of ordering wine. But if you prefer something else."
"Wine's fine."
We talk strategy. Go over the presentation. It's productive. Professional.
Until dessert arrives and he leans forward.
"Can I ask you something personal?"
Warning bells. "Depends on the question."
"The guy you're seeing. Is it serious?"
My defenses slam up. "Why?"
"Because if it's not, if there's any chance. I'd like to take you to dinner. Actually dinner. Not a working dinner."
Oh God.
"Marcus."
"I know. Bad timing. Bad idea. But I've been interested since you started and I figured... shoot my shot before I lose my nerve."
He's sweet. Genuine. Exactly the kind of guy I should want.
If I wasn't completely in love with someone else.
"I'm flattered," I say carefully. "Really. But yes. It's serious. Very serious."
"Lucky guy."
"I'm the lucky one."
He nods. Accepts it gracefully. "Well. Can't blame a man for trying."
We finish dessert. Split the check. Part ways professionally.
And I feel... nothing. No temptation. No curiosity.
Just relief that I can go home.
Except when I get to my car there's a note on the windshield.
You looked beautiful tonight. - K
He was here. Watching.
I look around the parking lot. Don't see his car.
My phone buzzes.
Don't be mad. I just needed to see you. Make sure you were okay.
You followed me to dinner?
I was in the neighborhood.
Liar.
Okay fine. I followed you. I'm obsessed and possessive and probably need therapy.
Despite my annoyance I'm smiling.
You're insane.
About you? Absolutely.
Come over. Now. We need to talk about boundaries.
Your place?
Yes. And bring food. I'm starving.
Kane shows up thirty minutes later with Thai takeout and a sheepish expression.
"I know," he says before I can start. "I'm sorry. That was stalker behavior. I just... the thought of you with another man."
"It was a work dinner."
"I know."
"With a colleague I have zero interest in."
"I know that too now. But before? I was spiraling."
I should be angry. Should lecture him about trust and boundaries.
Instead I'm pulling him inside. Kissing him. Needing him.
"You're ridiculous," I mutter between kisses.
"I know."
"And possessive."
"Very."
"And I love you anyway."
He groans. Lifts me. My legs wrap around his waist automatically.
"Say it again."
"I love you."
"Again."
"I love you, Daddy."
His control snaps.
We don't make it to the bedroom. He's yanking down my pants right there in the hallway. Dropping to his knees.
"Kane, the food."
"Later," he growls. "Need to taste you first. Need to remind myself you're mine."
His mouth is on me before I can argue. Hungry. Desperate.
And I'm gone. Completely gone. Gripping his hair while he devours me like I'm his last meal.
"Daddy."
"That's right baby girl. Tell me who makes you feel this good."
"You. Only you. God... I'm gonna..."
"Cum for Daddy. Soak my face."
I cum hard. Shaking. Nearly collapsing.
He catches me. Stands. His cock pressing hard against his jeans.
"Condom?" I gasp.
He pauses. "I don't have one."
We always use condoms. Every time. No exceptions.
"I'm on birth control," I blurt. "And I'm clean. Got tested after my last ex."
His eyes darken. Dangerous. "You want me to fuck you bare?"
The crude phrasing makes me clench.
"Yes. Want to feel all of you."
"Elena."
"Please Daddy. Want you inside me. Nothing between us."
"Fuck." He's already unbuckling his belt. "You're sure?"
"Completely sure."
He pushes inside slowly. And...
Oh God.
The difference is staggering. Heat. Friction. Every ridge. The piercing dragging against my walls without any barrier.
"Holy shit," I breathe.
"Yeah." His voice is wrecked. "You feel...fuck baby you feel incredible."
He starts moving. Slow at first. Then harder.
Fucking me against the wall. My nails digging into his shoulders.
"You're mine," he growls. "Say it."
"I'm yours."
"Only mine."
"Only yours. God... Daddy please..."
"Please what?"
"Cum inside me. I want to feel it."
He makes a sound. Primal. Possessive.
His rhythm gets erratic. Desperate.
"Fuck... Elena I'm gonna fill you up..."
"Do it. Please. Need it."
He buries himself deep. Groaning my name as he cums.
And I feel it. Feel him pulsing. Spilling inside me.
Claiming me completely.
We're both shaking. Gasping.
"Holy fuck," he finally manages.
"Yeah."
"That was."
"I know."
He carries me to the bathroom. Cleans me gently. Reverently.
"Stay the night," I whisper.
"What about Mara? If she calls."
"I'll deal with it. Just... stay. Please."
"Okay baby. I'll stay."
We eat cold Thai food in my bed. Naked. Tangled together.
And for a few hours I let myself pretend this is enough.
Pretend we're not heading for disaster.
Pretend love alone can save us.
I wake up to my phone ringing.
3 AM.
Mara.
Panic floods through me. Kane's asleep beside me.
I grab the phone. Stumble to the hallway.
"Hello?"
"Elena." Her voice is wrong. Tight. Broken. "Where are you?"
Shit.
"Home. Why? What's wrong?"
"I'm at your building. You're not answering your buzzer."
My heart stops.
"I'm—I'm not home. I'm at my mom's. Family emergency. Why? What happened?"
"My mom told me something tonight. About my dad." Her voice cracks. "Elena I need you. Please. Can you come back?"
Oh God.
She knows.
She has to know.
"What did she say?" I ask. Voice shaking.
"Just...please come. I need my best friend right now."
The guilt is suffocating.
"I'll be there in twenty minutes."
I hang up. Rush back to the bedroom.
Kane's awake. "What's wrong?"
"Mara. She's at my building. Her mom told her something. About you. She's..." I'm pulling on clothes. Shaking. "I think she knows."
"Fuck." He's up. Getting dressed. "What do you want to do?"
"I have to go. Have to talk to her. Face whatever this is."
"Elena wait."
"I can't wait! She's my best friend and she's hurting and it's because of us."
He grabs my shoulders. Forces me to look at him.
"Breathe. We don't know what she knows yet."
"Then what else could it be?"
"I don't know. But don't panic until we have all the facts."
He's probably right.
But I'm already panicking.
"Go," he says. "Talk to her. Call me after."
"Okay."
He kisses me. Hard. Desperate. "I love you. Whatever happens. I love you."
"I love you too."
I leave.
Drive to my building going way over the speed limit.
Mara's in the lobby. Face red. Eyes swollen from crying.
My heart breaks seeing her like this.
"What happened?" I ask. "What did your mom say?"
"She told me..." Mara's voice breaks. "She told me Dad has someone. Someone he's been hiding. And when she asked him about it he wouldn't tell her who. Said it was complicated. That he'd explain when the time was right."
Relief floods through me.
She doesn't know it's me. She just knows Kane's seeing someone.
"Come upstairs," I say. "We'll talk."
We go to my apartment. I make tea. Let her cry on my couch.
Hating myself the entire time.
"What if she's terrible?" Mara asks. Wiping her eyes. "What if she's just using him for his money?"
She's worse than terrible. She's your best friend who's been lying to your face.
"I'm sure she's not," I manage.
"How do you know?"
"Because your dad is smart. He wouldn't fall for someone who didn't genuinely care about him."
"You really think so?"
No. I think he fell for the worst possible person.
Me.
"Yeah," I lie. "I really think so."
She hugs me. Tight. Trusting.
"I don't know what I'd do without you, Elena. You're like my sister."
The words are knives.
"Mara."
"Yeah?"
This is it. The moment.
Tell her. Come clean. End this nightmare.
But looking at her tear-stained face, at the trust in her eyes—I can't do it.
Can't break her heart tonight when she's already breaking.
"I'm here for you," I whisper instead. "Always. No matter what."
She smiles. Broken but genuine. "I know. You're the best friend anyone could ask for."
And I sit there.
Holding her while she cries about the secret relationship destroying her.
The relationship with me.
God.
What have I done?
What the fuck have I done?