The Taste of Seduction

It wasn't strange that she felt such attraction for someone she'd only ever encountered without genuine contact whatsoever. What made it much of a big deal was the knowing expression his look portrayed each time he looked at her. And the fact that she also felt that way made it all the more – exciting.

She wanted to ask him where they knew each other. She wanted to ask him if they'd had something at one point in their lives.

And if it happened to be true, then she wanted more of it.

She would reach into his depths and fill herself with all that he offered, irrespective of the latter consequences she was sure to face.

He rose the cookie box to her line of sight with what looked to her to be – a most charming curve of a smile on his delicious lips, a gorgeously breathtaking smile that made her insides knot to tangles. How much longer would she be able to stand with this stranger just sitting right next door – waiting for his prey?

Her?

Cole!

Determined to assert her boundaries, she rebuffed his inquiries by slamming the door in his face, shutting out his intrusive presence.

"Who was that?" Cole's voice shattered the newfound silence she had relished, demanding an answer that she refused to give.

Unperturbed, she stood resolute, facing the closed door while Cole, emboldened by a surge of determination, strode purposefully towards it.

With a swift motion, he jerked the door open, only to be met with an unwavering countenance that exuded an aura of stern resolve. The piercing intensity of the gaze rattled him, causing a fleeting weakness to ripple through his body, but he made sure not to reveal it.

He simply leaned his weight against the door frame – a gesture meant to hide his weak-kneed support following their silent clash of wills.

The intensity of their gaze-lock persisted, an unspoken battle raging between them, each man barraged by the unvoiced messages conveyed by the other's eyes.

Cole, who was beginning to feel somewhat uncomfortable, averted his gaze to the box clutched tightly in Marcus's hand. He fidgeted slightly when he noticed his grip, tight on the box, distorting its original form beneath his broad palms.

Cole finally spoke up, breaking the silence. "Oh, a most cultured neighbor I see," His voice, meant to be a teasing remark for his kind gesture, betrayed a subtle undertone of fear, but he masked it immediately with a light chuckle as he leaned forward to take hold of the box in his hand.

Marcus relinquished his grip, giving him a chance to be able to seize it out of his hand. However, his intentions were far from cooperative.

What caused his momentary relief was Diana showing up by the doorway, a few meters away from Cole. Her gaze held a plea that tugged at his heartstrings, seeking obeisance that he knew would come in due time.

However, the current situation did not permit such action. He was, however, determined to make things better for her, to take her away from the wicked claws of the menace of a boyfriend that invaded her peace, to take her where she rightfully belonged – with him.

With that fiery resolve, he locked eyes once again with the despicable man who had already retreated back into the house. Without granting him a second acknowledgement, Cole slammed the door in his face.

Marcus stood outside the closed door, simmering with an intense mix of emotions.

The battle for control raged inside him, as he contemplated unleashing his pent-up fury, breaking down the door, and teaching the despicable man a lesson on true masculinity. But then, he leaned back on his heels, wondering why Diana even gave him a chance in the first place.

It was clear that she wanted out. So why did it seem so hard to walk away from the twat?

In his quest to unravel the answer to his burning question, he knew he had to find a way to connect with her on a deeper level, somehow.

Simply visiting her at home wouldn't be enough, but he was determined to keep trying.

However, there was another idea brewing in his mind, a daring plan that held the potential for a breakthrough in his quest. And if it worked, it would be massive progress on his end.

***

Marcus was overly enthusiastic with his forth coming plan as he prepared himself. He rummaged through the stack of papers he'd gotten from the office and paused when his gaze locked onto what he was looking for.

There you are.

The content of the flyer was much faster to navigate, which was why he searched for that instead of just going for one of the other papers that boldly displayed the company's name and details on their letter heads.

What an excuse.

There was no escaping the unmistakable truth that he relentlessly pursued. It was clear as day; evident in the way he felt each time his eyes met hers. With each stolen glance, he committed the contours of her face to memory, cherishing every detail.

Though it was clear that she was not Cassandra, he had come to the conclusion that he would leave her be since she'd also vouched for that indirectly.

But those eyes told all the truth that he desperately wanted to see – she needed help, and she needed it from him. There was also no denying the attraction that they felt towards each other. Their mutual attraction crackled in the air, igniting a most evident desire whenever their gazes intertwined.

In those stolen moments, they lost themselves in each other's presence, catching a glimpse of the boundless possibilities they were sure to get from each other.

It was a feeling that he was sure to never grow weary of, a connection that held the promise of endless fulfillment.

But it was also one that seemed to elude his grasp each time he thought he had it.

Well, not anymore.

He reached into his bag and retrieved his laptop, flipped it open and waited. His intention was clear: to navigate the web in search of the company's official site, do some research in hopes of uncovering a position he could potentially fill. If he could work in the same place as she did, it would be an added advantage.

He could only hope that they would work in the same department. Such an alignment would make the entire process so much easier. He would get to understand her, know why she stuck around despite her evident disinterest in the sorry excuse for a man she shared her life with.

Found it!

Just what he was looking for. The company had a vacant spot for a sales person, a space that he was sure to dominate in just a few moments, not that it was his goal but it would pay more to keep the illusion real.

He filled the application, accurately providing the required documents, clearly forged, and filling in the necessary details that corresponded with what the world knew him as.

It was at this moment he knew that he was more involved with earth than he thought. How much information they had on him baffled and amazed him all at once.

And here I was thinking I was invisible – this is going to be fun. He thought to himself with a chuckle.