Eighteen.
I stand outside the enormous structure to which Castello has directed me. I tip my head upwards and follow the building's line all the way to the sky's sapphire ocean.
The Burak structure is truly magnificent, the skyscraper pierces the marshmallow clouds and it's definitely something I've never seen before.
I knew from Castello's description of the building's interior that what lay beyond the magnificent copper revolving doors was breathtaking.
I am greeted upon entering by the ruby-veined marble flooring, pearly white walls, and endless foot traffic.
I remove my new ID card from the inside pocket of my handbag and hold it up for the three black-clad guards behind their desk to inspect.
The guards quickly clear me through after I answer a few questions and pass a security check. I prayed the entire time to the Gods that Castello has taken care of everything or else my chance here will be blown and I am uncertain of what may happen if I fail to keep my end of the bargain alive.
I walk towards the bank of elevators when the mailman trips over his own feet. He stumbles, losing his footing and falls flat on his face. The envelopes he had sitting in his shoulder bag fly across the marble flooring.
I look around and watch as people continue to walk by, dodging the chaos and pretending they don't see what's going on.
I pinch my brows together, shaking my head as I bend down and help the poor man collect his mail.
"Cheers, man. " He says quickly as he shoots me a look of gratitude.
"No worries" I reply as I pass him the envelopes I have in my hand.
I stretch out my arm to pick up the last few that have caught a ride through the breezy atmosphere. When unexpectedly, a pair of expensive crocodile patterned, pointed toe oxfords enveloped in tailor-made black slacks stand before me.
I wait for them to move out of the way and when they don't I crane my neck back as I allow my line of sight to peer upwards.
The sight of his custom made three-piece suit has my jaw touching the ground. He is tall, possessing a dominant body beneath his elegant suit and as my gaze reaches his face, my breath hitches and I have to swallow back the built-up saliva pooling in my mouth.
With his Emerald green eyes heavy on my face, he sinks into a graceful crouching position right in front of me.
He smells Godly with an exotic cologne as he reaches eye level with me.
I am speechless as I swim in the depths of his eyes that remind me of Sandros. I am utterly thunderstruck.
And suddenly something in the atmosphere between us alters, his eyes become clouded with recognition, and I shift as a result of my instinctive reaction. Landing on my arse, looking anything but graceful in the process.
My face flushes with embarrassment. I barely register the pain spreading across my ass as I am too engaged in eye fucking the man before me.
Curly Jet black hair frames his electrifying face. His bone structure is purely carved by the Gods themselves with a finely etched mouth and a straight blade nose. I can't avert my gaze from his eyes which narrows slightly and his features school dispassion.
His eyes are suddenly cautious and imposing, and they bore into me. My heartbeat quickens as my mouth forms an 'O' shape as my breathing quickens as well.
With every breath, I take, his scent washes over me. It isn't the smell of cologne, fine whiskey with a hint of cigars possibly. A scent that somehow makes me feel like I'm having a deja vu moment.
Whatever it is, it's intoxicating and I can feel myself sinking into a deep sea of curiosity.
He holds out his hand, exposing some very expensive cufflinks matched with an expensive watch hugging his olive wrist. With a shaky breath, I place my hand in his and when his grip tightens I fear I'll lose consciousness as my body suddenly feels like it's on fire.
He stills, unmoving as fine lines stain his perfect complexion.
"Daha önce tanışmış mıydık? (Have we met before?) His voice was velvety, raspy and it makes my stomach flutter as I instantly think about sex.
With him.
Extraordinary, toe-curling sex that you'd only ever read in erotica novels.
I swallow, liking the way his eyes scan my face. "I. I don't understand what you've just said." I reply as I lick my dry lips.
"Are you okay?"
He says but for some odd reason I don't think he asked me that exact question in his mother tongue.
"Uh, yes." I finally say with a weak smile.
He stands to his full height, dragging me up with him and we maintain eye contact between us as I find him too fascinating to look away. I feel a sense of being drawn to him, he looks older than I had anticipated at first. At least in his mid to late thirties.
He was the type of man that women could only dream about. A man who existed solely in our wildest fantasies
He bent down, picking up my handbag that remains on the floor, freeing me from his intense staredown and my brain quickly kicks itself back into reality.
I am thunderstruck by him. Infatuated. And when he glances up, in his kneeling stance. Ridiculous thoughts of him proposing cloud my mind.
"Are you okay?" He asks, holding my gaze as he rises to his full height.
"Yes, thank you." I can feel my cheeks heating up as I replay myself looking awkward and clumsy in front of the most self-assured man I have ever met.
He makes me forget about my reality with the Esposito Family. The fact that I am in this building on an assignment for Castello and I am a mother with a baby boy at home waiting for me with a man who still believes I love him.
'Pull your head out of your ass and get to work!' My inner Goddess protests.
"May I have my bag please?" I speak louder than I intended and a look of amusement crosses his face.
He holds it out towards me and even though I try not to touch him. His fingers brush against mine, sending a message of awareness from my toes straight to my brain.
"Thank you!" I remark as I brush by him and begin pushing the elevator's buttons to speed up and open.
I'm aware of him before I'm conscious of his presence behind me. Once again, his aroma envelopes me, and when a faint chuckle escapes his perfectly formed lips, I swear I feel my nipples stiffen in reaction.
When the doors finally glide open, I dash inside, avoiding eye contact with him as he surges past me and stands behind me once more.
"Level eight, lütfen (please)"
I lean forward, pressing the number eight-button, noting that we are heading to the same floor level, and as the doors close, the elevator car suddenly feels too small, even though it is only the two of us.
His phone rings and I let out a sigh as he answers it, breaking the awkward silence between us.
"Merhaba (Hello), evet (yes) this is Aydem Burak." He answers with his phone pressed against his ear.
And I reach out, grasping the handrail beside me to keep myself upright. The knowledge slams into me with the force of a tonne of bricks. My new boss and the man I am supposed to steal from is the man I was just drooling over.
