The office was almost silent now, the kind of quiet that settled only after everyone had gone home. Just the low hum of the lights above and the occasional creak of your chair filled the air. You tried to focus, but you could feel your crush watching you from his desk.

You were still seated, pretending to work, your fingers idle on the keyboard. You didn’t notice when Stephen walked over—until he was suddenly behind you.

“Still here?” he asked, his voice low.

You nodded without turning around.

Then you felt it, his hands, one on the edge of your desk, the other slowly settling on the back of your chair. He leaned in closer, his body half-caging you in. You could feel the warmth of him behind you, the slight tremble in his breath near your ear.

“Should I leave?” he asked. “You want me to?”

You didn’t answer. You couldn’t.

His hand moved to your waist, fingers brushing the fabric of your blouse like he was testing the limits of his own restraint. His other arm stayed planted, keeping you boxed in where you sat.

“Tell me to stop and I will,” he murmured, his voice cracking just slightly.

But you didn’t say a word. You didn’t move.

He exhaled, shaky, his breath grazing your neck. Then he leaned down further, lips just beside your ear.

“But if you don’t…” His fingers moved to your chin, gently turning your face toward him, caressing it as he waited for you to pull away.

You didn’t.

Then he kissed you. There was no hesitation in it. His mouth moved like he already knew you weren’t going to stop him.