Fresh Temptation

York for a little while.
    Tonight, she could take a break from the tangled mess of anger and heartbreak that had surged inside her. Tonight was the start of a new journey. A new life for her and Isaac. They could both move on, go back to their old lives in this familiar city as if they had never left. Ahead of her tomorrow was a long day of touring apartments, and she hoped to sleep well tonight. Unlike last night, when she stared at the clock until three in the morning, crying and unable to calm her mind.
    Cara charged through the lobby to the elevator and pressed the button to go upstairs. Then she looked at her watch. It was only ten o’clock. She had time to soak her tired body in the whirlpool tub in her room before relaxing in her luxurious bed for the night.
    The elevator arrived quickly. Soon she was on the tenth floor, yawning as she fished for the key in her purse. Her door unlocked with a loud click . Immediately, she heard the same loud click from the room behind her. She heard the stranger take a few steps into the hall, then stop, as if they were waiting for her. The silence made the hair on the back of her neck stand up.
    She pushed her door open, intending to run inside as quickly as possible. Then she heard a voice.
    “This is how you break up with me? ”
    Cara froze, her eyes shut tight. Her stomach did a somersault. Of course he’d find me…
    “What? No answer?” Victor came up next to her and leaned against the wall outside her door. “I never took you for a coward, Cara. This is what cowards do. They run. You should’ve given me a chance to explain. Your mom told me you saw a video. It wasn’t what you think. It was—”
    “It doesn’t matter!” Cara opened her eyes, glaring at him. “I’m not stupid. I know she could’ve rigged that video. I left because I got tired of working someplace where I felt like a pawn in some high school game. Sneaking around, dating my boss, with some jealous psycho ex-girlfriend trying to sabotage me? I need a real job. A real life. I’m doing what’s best for me and my son’s future.”
    He smirked softly. “Have you ever thought that maybe I’m what’s best for you and your son’s future?”
    Tears filled her eyes. “Victor—”
    He put his hands on her shoulders, turning her to face him. “I know what you’re thinking. I’m not talking about my money. I’m talking about the way I feel, for both of you.”
    She did her best to look away. Look anywhere but into his eyes. “I have to go to my room. It’s been a long day.”
    Victor let his arms drop to his sides. “So you’re freezing me out?”
    Cara pushed her door open and flicked the light switch on the wall. “I’m going to bed.”
    “Great idea.” He rushed after her, letting the door slam shut behind him. “I’m going with you.”
    She let out a cold laugh as she slung her purse onto the top of the dresser. “I don’t think—”
    Before she could finish her sentence, he spun her around, smothering her words in a kiss. His hands were everywhere at once, pulling at her clothes as he guided her toward the bed.
    A voice inside Cara told her to resist. She didn’t make this emergency trip just to give in to him like some flighty, horny teenager.
    But then his hand went up her skirt. His lips went to her throat, then trailed warm, wet kisses up to her ear where he whispered, “Don’t leave me, Cara.”
    She grabbed the back of his head. “Victor…”
    “Please, mi preciosa . Please, stay with me.” He withdrew his hand from her skirt and used both hands to quickly unbutton her blouse, immediately pulling it down her arms, along with her sweater. His mouth attached to hers as he reached around her back to unhook her bra.
    “Oh!” Cara let out a startled moan as she landed softly—and unexpectedly—on the bed behind her.
    Victor tugged at the hem of her stretchy elastic-waist skirt and yanked it down to her shoes. Next came her panties and pantyhose, which he tossed on the floor with the rest of her clothes. Now that she was nude, he fell into bed beside her, his arm sliding under her head to cradle it as he kissed her. His other hand cupped her breast.
    Cara’s earlier notions of a hot bath and sleep faded away completely as she melted into Victor.
    His lips moved from her mouth to her ear, kissing as they went. “I want you,” he whispered. “ Mi corazon …”
    And then Cara jolted, as if she was coming out of a trance. “Wait, no. Stop!”
    “What?” He