The bathroom mirror in Eric’s master suite revealed a woman trying desperately to reclaim her composure.
My green dress was smoothed down, but my lips were soft, swollen, and my chest flushed with the lingering heat of what had just transpired in the dark study.
I scrubbed away the last traces of smudged lipstick with a damp paper towel, taking three deep, grounding breaths before stepping back into the hallway.
When I reached the grand entryway, the suffocating isolation of the study was instantly replaced by light, smooth jazz and the rich aroma of aged scotch.
The front doors were pulled wide open, allowing the crisp evening breeze to filter into the foyer.
Eric was leaning casually against the marble island, swirling two fingers of amber liquid in a crystal tumbler.
Beside him stood Joe, looking relaxed with his blazer unbuttoned, laughing softly at a joke.
And right in the middle of them was Tom, resting one hand casually in his trousers pocket, looking completely immaculate—as if he hadn’t just completely undone me against a drywall minutes ago.
The contrast was dizzying.
“Ah, there she is!
The master architect herself!” Joe called out with a warm, flirty grin the moment he spotted me walking down the hall.
He raised his glass in a mock salute.
“Rain, I was just telling Eric that if my office at city planning looked half as stunning as the designs you bring to life, I’d actually show up on Fridays.” Eric chuckled, tossing a casual arm over Joe’s shoulder before flashing me a bright, charming smile.
“Don’t pay attention to him, Rain.
Joe’s just trying to convince you to redesign his townhouse for free.
How did the light test photos go in the study?
I hope Tom didn’t bore you to tears while I was stuck on that municipal call.” My chest tightened, but before I could utter a single word, Tom turned slowly toward me.
His expression was a masterclass in calm, refined composure—not a hair out of place, his dark eyes smooth, cool, and filled with a quiet, dangerous amusement.
“Bore her?
Hardly, Eric,” Tom said in his signature low, velvety tone, taking a measured sip of his drink.
“Rain and I had a very engaging conversation about structure and pressure points.
She’s remarkably attentive to detail.
A complete professional.” Joe chuckled, winking at me over the rim of his glass.
“Careful, Tom.
You lay on that cool, military charm any thicker and Ethan might have to challenge you to a duel.
Rain’s a happily married woman, remember?” “Oh, I’m well aware,” Tom replied smoothly, his lips curving into a subtle, devastatingly polite smile as his eyes locked onto mine.
“I have the utmost respect for the institution of marriage.
I simply appreciate talent—and beauty—when it stands right in front of me.
Surely there’s no harm in admiring a masterpiece, Joe?” “He’s got you there, Joe,” Eric laughed, pouring a small splash of scotch into a third glass and sliding it across the counter toward me.
“Here, Rain, you look like you worked up a sweat in there.
You’ve been working way too hard tonight.” “Thank you, Eric, but I really should get going,” I said, keeping my hands steady as I clutched my leather tote bag tightly against my side.
“I want to get these camera files imported and mapped into the CAD software before it gets too late.” “Always so dedicated,” Joe teased playfully, taking a step closer and flashing his easy, high-society charm.
“You know, Rain, if Ethan ever decides he doesn’t appreciate having a brilliant, drop-dead gorgeous designer coming home to him every night, my calendar is wide open.” “I’ll be sure to keep that in mind, Joe,” I replied, forcing a soft, polished laugh that masked the frantic beat of my heart.
“Ignore him, Rain,” Tom chimed in softly.
He didn’t raise his voice, nor did he move aggressively; he simply stood there, radiating an effortless, magnetic authority that drew all the air out of the room.
“Although…
Joe isn’t entirely wrong.
A woman who brings this much intensity to her work deserves to be thoroughly…
looked after.” The double meaning in Tom’s words hung heavy in the air, masked so perfectly beneath his refined charm that neither Eric nor Joe suspected a thing.
My skin prickled under the quiet, possessive gaze he held on me.
“I am very well looked after, Tom,” I said evenly, meeting his icy, dark gaze without flinching.
“Of course you are,” Tom murmured, his tone smooth as silk as he raised his glass slightly in my direction.
“Drive safely, Rain.
The roads between here and Brooklyn can get quite unpredictable this time of night.” “I’ll be careful.
Goodnight, Eric.
Goodnight, Joe,” I said, nodding politely to the room.
“Goodnight, Rain!
Text us when you get back!” Eric called out warmly as Joe waved with his signature flirty smile.
I stepped out onto the porch and made my way down the gravel driveway toward my sedan.
The cool night air hit my face, bringing a sudden, desperately needed clarity.
As I opened the driver’s side door, I glanced back at the front entrance one last time.
Eric and Joe were inside, laughing loudly over another round of drinks.
Standing in the soft glow of the entryway lights was Tom.
He stood completely still, his tumbler held loosely in one hand, watching my car with that calm, calculated, unbothered smirk playing on his lips.
I pulled out onto the main road, my hands gripping the steering wheel until my knuckles turned white.
My body was still humming from his touch, the scent of his dark cedar cologne clinging subtly to my dress, while back in the house, the men were drinking together as if nothing had happened.
My phone lit up on the dashboard mount.
A text message from Ethan appeared on the screen: Hey babe!
Just finished making dinner.
How did the walk-through go?
Can’t wait for you to get home ❤️ I stared at the glowing letters as the highway stretched endlessly into the dark, the reality of my double life settling in like an inescapable shadow.