Chapter 6: The Pull of Unspoken Desire

Alex sat at their desk, eyes flicking over the designs for the new project, but their mind kept drifting back to that night. No matter how hard they tried to focus, their thoughts kept circling back to the feel of Blake's lips on theirs, the heat of their bodies pressed together, and the way Blake's hand had felt on their skin.

It was infuriating.

The day had been long, filled with meetings and the usual hustle of the office. But even in the middle of discussions about fabrics and design concepts, Alex couldn't shake the memory of Blake. Every glance in Blake's direction sent a shiver down their spine, a stark reminder of how much had changed since that night.

"Alex, are you even listening?"

Julia's voice snapped Alex out of their reverie. She was standing in front of their desk, arms crossed, an amused smirk on her face. "You've been zoning out all day. What's going on with you?"

Alex blinked, trying to shake off the haze of their thoughts. "Just...thinking about the project. There's a lot to consider."

Julia raised an eyebrow. "Really? Because it looked like you were thinking about something—or someone—else entirely."

Alex's cheeks warmed, and they quickly looked down at the papers on their desk. "It's nothing. Just tired."

Julia didn't seem convinced, but she didn't press further. "Well, whatever it is, you need to get your head in the game. We've got a lot riding on this launch."

Alex nodded, grateful for the change of subject. "Yeah, I know. I'll be ready."

As Julia left the office, Alex took a deep breath, trying to steady themselves. This was ridiculous. They were Alex Parker, for God's sake. They didn't get distracted by...by people. By men who walked into their life wearing burgundy gowns and shattered all their defenses.

The door to the office creaked open, and Alex's heart skipped a beat as Blake walked in. His presence filled the room, drawing all of Alex's attention like a magnet. Blake's usual easygoing smile was in place, but there was a hint of something else in his eyes—something that mirrored the tension Alex felt.

"Hey," Blake said, his voice casual but with an undertone that sent a thrill through Alex. "You got a minute? We need to go over some details for the project."

Alex nodded, trying to maintain composure. "Sure. What's up?"

Blake moved closer, leaning over the desk as he spread out some blueprints. As he did, his arm brushed against Alex's, sending a jolt through both of them. Alex tried to focus on the designs, but all they could think about was the proximity of Blake's body, the warmth radiating from him.

"So, I was thinking we could go with a more minimalist approach for the runway," Blake said, his voice low and steady. "Clean lines, neutral tones, and let the fabric speak for itself."

Alex nodded, barely hearing the words. Their eyes were fixed on Blake's lips as he spoke, remembering how they had felt against their own. A wave of desire washed over them, making it hard to breathe.

"Alex? What do you think?"

Alex blinked, realizing Blake was looking at them, waiting for a response. They cleared their throat, trying to shake off the haze of desire clouding their mind. "Uh, yeah. Minimalist. That sounds...good."

Blake's eyes narrowed slightly, and a slow smile spread across his face. "You're distracted."

"I'm not," Alex lied, but it was clear Blake wasn't buying it.

"Sure," Blake said, his voice teasing. He leaned in closer, so close that Alex could feel his breath against their skin. "You know, if something's on your mind, you can always talk to me about it."

The tension between them was thick, and Alex could barely think, let alone speak. The memory of that night was too vivid, too overwhelming. They could still feel Blake's hands on them, could still taste the kiss they hadn't been able to forget.

"Blake," Alex started, their voice trembling slightly, "about that night..."

Blake's expression softened, and for a moment, the teasing vanished, replaced by something deeper, something more vulnerable. "Yeah, I've been thinking about it too."

There was a silence between them, charged with unspoken words. Alex could feel their heart pounding, their breath quickening as the moment stretched on.

Finally, Blake broke the silence, his voice barely above a whisper. "Do you regret it?"

Alex shook their head, unable to speak. How could they regret something that had ignited such a fire inside them? Something that had made them feel more alive than they had in years?

Blake's hand brushed against Alex's, a light, tentative touch that sent a shiver down Alex's spine. "Me neither," Blake said softly. "But we can't just ignore it, can we?"

Alex swallowed hard, their thoughts a whirlwind of confusion and desire. "No. We can't."

The tension between them was electric, drawing them together like a force they couldn't resist. Before Alex could second-guess themselves, they leaned in, closing the distance between them. Blake's breath hitched, and for a moment, the world seemed to stop.

Their lips met in a slow, tentative kiss, a kiss that quickly deepened as the passion between them flared. All the unspoken tension, all the unresolved feelings from that night, came rushing back in a wave of heat and need.

Blake's hand tangled in Alex's hair, pulling them closer as the kiss became more urgent, more desperate. Alex responded in kind, their hands roaming over Blake's body, remembering every curve, every inch of skin they had explored that night.

They broke apart, gasping for breath, their foreheads resting against each other. Alex's heart was racing, their mind spinning with the intensity of what had just happened.

Blake's voice was husky, filled with the same desire that Alex felt. "This is...complicated."

"Yeah," Alex agreed, their voice shaky. "But maybe...maybe we don't have to figure it all out right now."

Blake nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Maybe we just...take it one step at a time."

Alex couldn't help but smile back. "Yeah. One step at a time."

As they stood there, the tension between them still simmering just below the surface, Alex realized that this was only the beginning. The road ahead was uncertain, filled with complications and challenges, but for the first time, they felt ready to face it.

With Blake by their side, maybe they could navigate the uncharted waters of whatever this was between them.

And maybe, just maybe, they could find something real.