The remainder of the workweek flies by in a haze, and soon Friday rears its head. The tension brought by the news of the murder has slowly dissipated and the workplace has returned to a sense of normalcy. My heightened thoughts and erratic behavior are replaced by a welcome sense of calmness as workplace conversations no longer revolve around the murder.

Today is a slow day for me-not that I mind. A much-needed break was crucial after the hectic couple of days I've had. I grab a couple of documents from my desk and stroll down the hallway to the copy room. The room is bright and functional, with neutral-colored walls and tile flooring that reflect the fluorescent lighting overhead. A row of sleek, modern machines lines one wall, with cabinets filled with paper and supplies neatly organized along the other.

I push the power button and allow the copier a few seconds to warm up. I place the documents into the document feeder, set the amount of copies I need and press the start button. As the machine comes to life, I take a seat on one of the tables in the room, swinging my legs absentmindedly, the hum of of the machine in the distance.

A soft beep from the machine indicates the copies are done. I jump off the table, grabbing the warm papers from the tray.

On my way back to my office, a sudden force tugs at my arm, yanking me into one of the offices in the hallway. The papers in my arms to scatter onto the floor as I struggle to regain my balance. I look up to find Jack swiftly picking up the papers. He steps into the room and locks the door behind him.

He starts to move towards me . Slowly, like a predator stalks its prey. Fear grips me and I back up up slowly and carefully my eyes fixed on his tall frame. He keeps advancing toward me, his movements slow and deliberate. I continue to back away up until my retreat is suddenly halted when my hip collides with the hard edge of his desk, leaving me trapped with nowhere left to go.

"It seems you have been avoiding me," he says, halting suddenly, inches away from me.

"And how did you arrive at this conclusion?" I respond, a confused look etched on my face.

"I've been trying to get your attention these past couple of days but to no avail."

"Come closer," I say, lightly tugging on his shirt, now in control of the situation. "I've had a lot on my plate these past couple of days. Don't worry, I wouldn't deliberately ignore you."

His hands find their way to my thighs, and he props me up onto his desk, using them as leverage. My breath catches as he parts my legs, standing between them. My Hailey dress from Office & Co hitches up as his hands slide further up my thighs, ending with a firm grip.

"You drive me crazy, you know," he says, his voice strained, his blue eyes darkening with desire.

"Oh really?" I say coyly, cocking my head to the side, a slow smile playing on my lips. I twirl his tie between my fingers, feeling the tension in the air grow thicker..

He leans in closer until I can feel his hot breath on my face.

"Come see me tonight," I whisper, our lips barely centimeters apart.

"Tonight," he says suddenly, as if his mind snaps back to reality, retracting his head away. "That's not possible."

I take his hands off my thighs and gently push him back, creating enough space to slide off his desk. I pull my dress down, smoothing out the creases before gathering the stack of papers he'd picked up off the floor. With a quick glance at him, I walk to the door.

"You know where to find me if you want to see me," I say, winking slyly before stepping out and shutting the door behind me.

I leave work earlier than usual, exhausted from the drive home. It felt like every red light conspired to keep me on the road longer. Once I arrive, I head inside, kicking off my shoes at the door without caring where they land and prepare for a relaxing night. I climb the stairs to the bathroom, where I run a warm bath, adding my favorite vanilla-scented bath wash.

After preparing my bath, I head downstairs to my wine cabinet, retrieving a bottle of rosé and a glass. My dress and underwear tumble to the floor in a careless heap as I make my way back upstairs. I ease into the bath, pour myself a generous glass of wine, and slip into the warm, soothing water. My tablet rests on the edge of the tub, playing the newest episode of the podcast "Rants, Bants, and Confessions.

"Hello?"

"Hey Kaia, it's Jack. I just clocked off work and I'm heading to yours now."

"I thought you couldn't make it today," I reply teasingly.

"I couldn't pass up such an offer."

"Does anyone know you're coming over?" I ask.

"No, don't worry. It's going to be our little secret. See you soon" he adds then drops the call.

I step out of the tub, water dripping from my body, pooling in a puddle on the tiled bathroom floor. I towel dry, then slip into my lacy nightgown, the fabric clinging to my damp skin. I dab my pheromone perfume behind my ears, along my collarbones, and on each wrist.

After that I head downstairs to tidy up the living room, filling an extra wine glass and placing it on the table. After taking a quick glance at the set up, I go back upstairs and return with some crushed sedative pills. A knock at the door indicates Jacks arrival. I quickly pour the crushed pills into the drink, stirring them with my fingers before wiping them clean on the hem of my nightgown.

I open the door and greet him with a wide smile before ushering him into the living room. I turn on the tv, hand him the sedated drink and take a seat next to him throwing my legs over his laps.

A few minutes pass by and the drink I gave him sits on the table half full. I refill the glass and sit on his lap urging him to take sips. He grabs the glass from my hand and downs it in one go and places the glass on the floor, leaving his focus now entirely on me.

He then turns me so that I'm now facing him, each leg resting on either side of his hips. Our mouths meet in a deep kiss, one of his hands holding me firmly by the neck, the other massaging my breast through the thin fabric of my nightgown. His mouth moves to my neck, leaving a trail of wet, soft kisses in its wake. He pulls down the right strap of my nightgown and begins to suck on my breast.

In minutes, he flips me over, and he's now on top, taking control. He kisses the inside of my thigh, lifting my leg over his shoulder. A soft moan escapes my lips as his fingers find their way to the mound between my legs.

This goes on for some time, until his movements become sloppy, and then he falls limp between my legs.

Finally, I sigh, pushing his body off me. I was beginning to think I would need enough sedative to kill a horse. I get up and struggle to drag his body out of the living room, all the while wishing I had kept my gym membership active.

A sudden, rapt knock at the door jolts me, followed by the unmistakable sound of someone trying to turn the handle. My heart leaps into my throat, and I freeze, my grip tightening on his limp body.