Mia's POV
The morning sunlight felt like betrayal.
She barely slept. Her mind kept replaying that kiss—his lips, his warmth, her weakness. The shame didn't come from the kiss itself but from how much she'd wanted it before reality snapped her out of it.
She had to keep her guard up now. There was too much at stake. For her, for Eric, for this arrangement.
Mia showered longer than necessary, trying to wash off the night before. She wore a simple oversized cardigan and jeans, tying her hair into a loose ponytail before stepping into the kitchen.
The smell of coffee hit her first.
Ryan stood by the kitchen island, sleeves rolled up, coffee mug in one hand, flipping through his tablet with the other.
He didn't look up.
Not at first.
"Mornin'," he said, voice low, unreadable.
She cleared her throat, moving stiffly toward the fridge. "Morning."
Awkward silence filled the air like static. Too loud to ignore. Too sharp to be natural.
Mia poured herself a glass of water. His presence was magnetic—even in silence. It annoyed her that her heart still reacted.
"About last night," Ryan finally said, setting his mug down. "It shouldn't have happened."
Her stomach tightened.
She nodded slowly. "I agree."
Still, neither of them moved. The words hung like thick fog, too heavy to clear.
He added, "I lost control. It won't happen again."
Mia met his eyes. "Good. Because we made a deal. And it didn't involve… that."
Ryan's silver gaze flickered—just for a second. "Exactly."
She turned away before she said something she'd regret.
Ryan's POV
Liar.
He told her it wouldn't happen again—but he wasn't so sure. The way her lips had felt under his, the way her breath hitched when he touched her—it haunted him more than it should've.
He respected her boundaries. That much was true.
But it didn't mean he could forget how easily he wanted to cross them.
This woman, with her soft strength and frustrating walls, was getting under his skin. And he hated that.
"We'll keep things professional," she said, still facing the sink.
He nodded. "We should."
Another pause.
"I have a shift today," she added, her voice suddenly more formal. "I'll be back late."
"Fine."
He watched her pick up her bag and walk to the door.
But just before leaving, she stopped.
Without looking back, she whispered, "Don't kiss me again."
Then the door clicked shut.
Ryan exhaled a breath he didn't know he was holding.
This was getting dangerous.
And the worst part?
He wasn't sure if he wanted to stop it.