Chapter 7_ Waste Of Goodness

Arya tentatively took a small step back, carefully maintaining a calculated distance between her and Kane, all the while trying to keep her self-control intact. With a raised eyebrow and a smug smirk on his face, Kane boldly challenged her, "Come on, Arya. Do you honestly expect me to believe that you don't desire me as well?"

Speechless at his audacity, Arya simply tilted her chin up and retorted, "You may be attractive, but that means nothing. You're nothing but a conceited douchebag and a mere co-worker."

Kane's expression turned serious as he responded, "My dear, I am not merely a co-worker. I am the rightful heir to the Maranello empire and all its riches. And no matter what I do, it shouldn't concern you."

Arya couldn't help but laugh at his arrogance before replying, "There are plenty of better candidates out there, but I don't sleep with them. Why should I sleep with someone like you? Furthermore, I couldn't care less about your status, got it?"

Kane leaned in closer, his lips dangerously close to her ear as he whispered, "Because I can take you to places you never even knew existed, both body and soul." His warm breath caressed her skin, sending a shiver down her spine as his hoarse voice filled her senses.

“I–I don't….”

Arya's words trailed off as Kane pulled her closer by her tiny waist, pressing their chests together.

"This is just sex," Kane whispered huskily, his lips near her ear. "Pure pleasure with no strings attached. There's no reason to be hesitant." With those words, he leaned in and captured Arya's lips in a steamy kiss, breaking down all her resistance like a forceful landslide.

Lost in the moment, Arya wrapped her arms around Kane's shoulders and eagerly welcomed his tongue into her mouth, feeling the growing excitement between them.

'In person, he's even better than in my fantasies,' Arya thought as Kane's hands roamed over her body, sending shivers down her spine and igniting a fiery sensation under her skin. She could feel the defined muscles under his clothes and his intoxicating cologne filled her senses as they kissed with a frenzy.

'Oh my, this is insane. He's a colleague, my boss's son, and a conceited jerk, but his body feels so good,' Arya pondered silently as she let go of all logic and let her instincts take over.

As Kane kissed her one last time, his fingers tangled in her luscious black hair and he breathed in her scent. His gaze was filled with longing as he pulled away and looked into her eyes. "Do you want me, Sunshine?" he asked, his voice rough with desire. "Once I'm inside you, I won't stop, even if you beg me to." He nuzzled her neck, sending a rush of ecstasy through Arya's body. Her body screamed for her to give in to Kane, but at that moment, she regained her senses and realized what was about to happen.

Closing her eyes, Arya took a deep breath and pulled away from Kane. "Even if I did, I don't sleep around with men I barely know. I also don't mix business with pleasure, especially not with my boss's son. So, I'm afraid it's a firm no.”

In a never-before-seen moment, Kane was taken aback by a woman's words. He couldn't fathom that his charm had failed to entice Arya into his bed and he nonchalantly remarked, "Whatever Sunshine... It's your loss."

Arya could sense his attempt to feign indifference, but she knew her refusal had left a lasting impression on him. 'I suppose he's not used to being told no.' Arya pondered silently before grabbing her purse and heading towards the door. However, Kane interrupted her before she could make her escape.

"Hey, can I give you a ride home?" Kane's sudden offer caught Arya off guard, but she politely declined.

"Thank you, but I prefer to take a cab." She responded, not wanting to spend any more time in his presence.

"Alright, I know it's pointless to argue with you." Kane conceded, taking a step back.

"See you tomorrow, Kane." Arya bid him farewell with a nod.

"You know, Arya, you're unlike any other girl I've met." Kane stated.

"Is that a compliment or a criticism?" Arya asked, genuinely curious.

"An interesting question... I'm still trying to figure that out myself. Goodnight, Sunshine." Kane replied with a wink. Arya left the office without saying another word, wondering what Kane truly meant by his enigmatic words.

'I just don't understand him... is he developing feelings for me?' Arya silently contemplated the thought as she made her way home.

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The rest of the weekend flew by in a blur for Arya as she threw herself into her work, determined to push Friday night out of her mind. But as Sunday night approached, the realization that she would have to face Kane again and share the same office space with him caused her anxiety to creep in. 'Am I toying with danger?' Arya silently mused.

"Arya! Come on, take a break for five minutes. It's time for dinner." Alex's voice could faintly be heard from the corridor, interrupting Arya's thoughts.

"I'll be there in a minute." Arya replied softly, knowing that Alex wouldn't be able to hear her. Suddenly, the door to her room burst open. "Arya," Alex called out.

"What?" Arya replied, taken aback as she noticed Alex holding her purse. "What happened to my purse?" she asked.

"It's frozen," Alex answered bluntly.

"Why?" Arya questioned, a frown forming on her face.

"I do not know. I was hoping you could enlighten me. I found it in the freezer," Alex explained.

"In the freezer?" Arya repeated, surprised.

"And guess what I discovered in the closet?" Alex said sarcastically.

"I have no--" Arya's words were interrupted by Alex's next words.

"Melting ice cream! That is what I found in the closet. What a waste of goodness," Alex sighed.

"I suppose I should have done things the other way around, huh?" Arya said with a sheepish smile.

"Can you please tell me what is going on with you? You have been elsewhere all weekend...and more than usual," Alex asked, tilting his head to the side.

'It's Kane...that asshole,' Arya thought, but she would never admit that to her brother. So instead, she said, "I do not know."

"Well, figure it out fast, because I do not want to open the oven and find the laundry burning inside," Alex retorted sharply.

"You are being absurd," Arya rolled her eyes.

"Am I? Because to me, this seems very serious. Are you sick or perhaps in love?" Alex inquired with curiosity.

"I am not sick, and I certainly am not in love, Alex! I am the same as always...just tired. Now, let us go have dinner, my dear brother," Arya said, leading Alex out of her room and into the kitchen.

'I need to regain control of my emotions. Why am I so agitated anyway? Kane's sudden interest in me cannot change my life,' Arya pondered as she sat down with her brother at the small dining table in the kitchen. With that positive thought in mind, she ate with more enthusiasm, pushing thoughts of Kane out of her mind completely.