Falling Into Temptation

Eddie locked the door behind them, turning the deadbolt with a quiet click. The silence between them stretched, thick and heavy, pressing against the walls of his sleek, minimalist flat.

Maya stood in the middle of the living room, arms crossed, her golden-brown hair slightly messy from the wind outside. She hadn't said much since arriving—just that she needed a place to stay. No teasing, no dramatic entrance. Just quiet exhaustion.

Eddie wasn't used to seeing her like this.

She always had something to say, always had that sharp, taunting glint in her hazel eyes. But tonight, she just looked… drained.

And he hated it.

He leaned against the door, watching her carefully. "What happened?"

Maya let out a dry laugh. "You always ask questions you know I won't answer."

Eddie sighed, rubbing his face. Of course.

He walked past her, heading toward the kitchen. "You should eat something."

"I'm not hungry."

"You should still eat."

"I said I'm fine, nerd."

Eddie froze.

There it was. The nickname.

But it didn't carry its usual teasing weight. It was softer, tired.

Eddie glanced at her from the kitchen, something twisting in his chest. He opened the fridge, grabbing a bottle of water instead. He walked back, holding it out to her.

"Then drink."

Maya eyed him, debating whether to argue. In the end, she sighed and took it, collapsing onto the couch with an exasperated groan. "I hate that you're always right."

Eddie smirked. "You must really hate me, then."

That earned him a small chuckle.

Good. He preferred her annoyed over… whatever this was.

Maya took a sip, then rested her head against the back of the couch, staring at the ceiling. "You ever feel like you don't belong anywhere?" she murmured.

Eddie's stomach clenched.

She didn't ask questions like that. Not unless she meant them.

He hesitated, then sat down at the far end of the couch, keeping a careful distance between them. "Yeah," he admitted quietly. "All the time."

Maya turned her head slightly, looking at him. "And? What do you do about it?"

Eddie shrugged. "I keep going."

Maya snorted. "That's stupid."

Eddie gave her a small, lopsided smile. "Yeah. But it works."

She didn't answer right away. Just held his gaze, something unreadable flickering behind her eyes. Then, suddenly, she let out a deep breath, leaning forward to pull off her heels.

Eddie's attention flickered downward.

She winced slightly as she rubbed her ankle.

"You okay?" he asked.

"Yeah, just sore," she muttered, stretching her legs across the couch.

Without thinking, Eddie reached out, gently taking her ankle in his hands. Maya stiffened slightly, eyes widening.

Eddie didn't even realize what he was doing at first. His thumbs brushed over her skin absentmindedly, feeling the warmth of it beneath his touch. He was just trying to see if she was hurt.

That's all it was.

At least, that's what he told himself.

But then she tilted her head, watching him.

And everything shifted.

The air changed—turned heavier, thicker.

Maya didn't pull away.

Eddie should have.

But he didn't.

His gaze flickered up to her lips before he could stop himself.

And suddenly, the room felt too damn small.

Oh, shit.

His grip tightened around her ankle for half a second before he let go, standing up so fast he nearly tripped over the coffee table.

Maya's brows furrowed. "Eddie?"

"I—I need to go," he blurted out.

Maya blinked. "What?"

"I just—" He ran a hand through his hair, feeling way too hot. "I need some air."

Maya sat up straighter. "Did I—?"

"No," Eddie cut in, grabbing his keys. "I just—" He stopped himself.

There was no good explanation for this.

For why his heart was racing. For why he suddenly felt like he couldn't breathe.

He had almost kissed her.

Right there. On his couch.

And the worst part? He wanted to.

He wanted her.

And that scared the absolute hell out of him.

So he did the only thing he could do.

He ran.

The door slammed shut behind him, leaving Maya sitting there, utterly confused.

She stared at the door, then down at her ankle where his hands had just been.

Her heart was still racing.

"What the hell was that?"

It took Eddie a long time to regain control. His skin was damp with sweat, his heart pounding as his mind replayed the image of Maya—her lips, soft and inviting, her features angelic in the dim light. The intensity of his desire surged through him, threatening to undo everything he had tried to control. He squeezed his eyes shut, desperately trying to calm himself, but every time he breathed, all he could think of was how badly he wanted to kiss her.

He ran a hand through his hair, his fingers trembling, as he paced in a desperate attempt to shake off the storm of emotions that consumed him. How could he still want her like this, after everything? His pulse still raced with that forbidden pull, the one that had haunted him since the moment she walked into his life. But he couldn't let himself act on it. Not now. Not when she was so fragile, so broken.

When he finally gathered the strength to return to her, he found Maya still sitting on the couch, her posture defeated, her eyes vacant with exhaustion. She looked like she had been carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. He knew she needed him, but in that moment, he wasn't sure he could give her what she truly needed.

But he had to try.

Without a word, Eddie moved toward her, his arms reaching out instinctively to help her up. He gently guided her toward the room, his own thoughts a tangled mess. It was the least he could do. He had to keep himself together—he had to for her.

But as he stood there, watching her, the pull between them was undeniable. And his resolve, shaky as it was, threatened to crack.

He stood in the middle of the room , running a hand through his hair. "You should stay here tonight."

Maya blinked. "What?"

He shrugged, avoiding her gaze. "You have no other option ?"

Maya swallowed hard. He was right. But the idea of staying here—with him—felt… dangerous.

Still, she nodded. "Thanks, nerd."

Eddie rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Just don't make this a habit."

She smirked, but it didn't quite reach her eyes.

Eddie said "You can take my bed."

Maya raised an eyebrow. "And where are you going to sleep?"

"The couch."

Maya hesitated. "You don't have to do that."

Eddie scoffed. "What, you think I'm sleeping next to you?"

She smirked. "Scared, Thompson?"

His jaw tightened. "No, I just—" He exhaled sharply, rubbing his temples. "Never mind. Just go to sleep."

But as he turned to leave, Maya grabbed his wrist.

"Stay," she whispered.

Eddie froze.

Her grip was weak, but he could feel the desperation in it. She wasn't flirting. She wasn't teasing. She was just… asking.

For the first time, Maya looked genuinely afraid of being alone.

Eddie swallowed hard.

Without a word, he sat on the edge of the bed, his back turned to her.

Silence filled the room.

Maya shifted under the blankets. "Why are you being nice to me?"

Eddie sighed. "You act like I'm some heartless nerd."

"You kind of are."

He rolled his eyes. "Shut up and sleep, Maya."

She smirked but didn't argue.

For a moment, it was peaceful.

Then—

"You know, you could sleep up here," she murmured, her voice filled with mischief.

Eddie stiffened. "What?"

She turned her head to look at him, her hazel eyes glinting. "It's a big bed."

Eddie scoffed. "Yeah, no."

Maya smirked. "Afraid I'll seduce you?"

Eddie glared. "Please. If you tried, I'd probably die laughing."

Maya huffed. "You have zero taste."

"And you have zero shame."

She grinned. "Exactly."

Eddie shook his head, but when he looked over at her, something in his expression softened.

Maya yawned, her eyes fluttering shut. "Goodnight, nerd."

Eddie hesitated. Then, quietly—so quietly she almost didn't hear—he whispered, "Goodnight, Maya."

And despite everything—despite the chaos, the pain, the betrayal—Maya fell asleep feeling safer than she had in a long, long time.