Xanqer sat in his dimly lit room, the soft glow of the computer screen illuminating his chiseled features. His eyes were fixed intently on the lines of code streaming down the monitor as his fingers flew across the keyboard. The silence was suddenly broken by the faint sound of footsteps behind him.

  Xanqer's eyes narrowed, his senses heightened as he listened carefully. The footsteps drew closer, the soft creaking of the floorboards beneath echoing through the room. As soon as the footsteps moved behind him, without looking back, Xanqer stretched out his hand, his fingers closing around something soft and squishy. His eyes narrowing, as he registered the unexpected texture.

  His head whipped around, expecting to see some strange creature, but instead, he found himself staring into Meesha's wide, startled eyes. Her mouth was open in a small O-shape, and her cheeks were flushed with surprise.

  Xanqer's gaze dropped to his hand, still grasping Meesha's breast, and he swiftly let go, as if burned. Meesha's eyes followed his, and she looked away, her face burning with embarrassment.

  "What do you want?" Xanqer asked, his voice low and even.

  Meesha's voice trembled as she spoke. "Uhm... never mind..." She turned to make a hasty retreat, but not before Xanqer caught a glimpse of her mortified expression.

  As the door closed behind Meesha, Xanqer raised an eyebrow, his eyes drifting back to his hand.

  *******

  Meesha slipped back into her room, the soft click of the door closing behind her a welcome respite from the awkwardness she'd just endured. Her face still burned with embarrassment, the flush spreading down her neck like a slow-moving flame. She'd intended to sneak up on Xanqer, to catch his attention and maybe even elicit a smile. But instead, she'd ended up in a compromising position. She couldn't believe Xanqer had accidentally touch her there.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  She slumped onto her bed, her arms splayed out to either side like a ragdoll. Her gaze drifted downward, her eyes fixing on the offending breast. "Traitor," she whispered, her voice trembling with mortification. A fresh wave of heat washed over her, and she felt her face grow even hotter. But as she lay there, something unexpected happened. Despite the mortification, she felt a flutter in her chest.

  A gentle smile spread across her face, her lips curving upward in a quiet, secretive smile. She couldn't believe she was actually admitting it to herself, but she couldn't deny the unexpected connection she'd felt with Xanqer. It had been a fleeting moment, but it had left a lasting impression. Meesha's eyes drifted closed, and she let out a soft sigh, the sensation still lingering in her mind like a whispered promise.

  ********

  [THE NEXT MORNING]

  Meesha trailed behind Xanqer as he walked out of the house, her eyes fixed on his broad back. She quickened her pace, her feet padding softly on the driveway as she caught up to him beside his sleek, black car. Davis stood waiting, his expression neutral.

  As Xanqer reached for the car door handle, Meesha darted forward, her hand shooting out to grasp his arm. "Xanqer, can I follow you to your office? Pleaseee?" she asked, her voice laced with a playful, wheedling tone.

  Xanqer's response was curt. "No."

  Meesha's face scrunched up in a pleading expression. "Pretty pleaseeee," she begged, her voice rising.

  Xanqer's expression remained unyielding. "No," he repeated, his tone firmer.

  "Pretty please with a cherry on top," she cooed, her lips curling up in a persuasive smile.

  Xanqer ignored her, opening the car door with a swift motion. Meesha darted forward, planting herself in the middle of the driveway, her arms spread wide. "You're not going anywhere unless you take me with you," she declared stubbornly.

  Xanqer's lips curled into a sneer, but before he could respond, his gaze flicked to something behind Meesha. His eyes narrowed, and his entire demeanor shifted, his body tensing.

  With a swift, economical motion, Xanqer reached out and grasped Meesha's waist, pulling her toward him. Meesha's eyes widened as she felt a jolt of electricity run through her body, her skin tingling where Xanqer's hand touched hers.

  As he pulled her closer, Meesha turned her head to look back, but Xanqer's hand clamped down on her head, holding it against his chest. He wrapped his coat around her, shielding her face from the impending explosion.

  The sound was deafening, a loud, earsplitting crash that made Meesha's heart skip a beat.

  As suddenly as it had begun, the chaos subsided. Xanqer released Meesha, his eyes scanning the surrounding area with a mixture of alertness and calculation.

  Meesha looked up at him, her eyes questioning, before turning to gaze behind her. Her eyes widened, and she gasped, her face pale with shock.