The elevator dings softly, the steel doors sliding open to reveal the familiar expanse of the twelfth floor. Nina steps out into the plush carpeting, the click of her heels muffled and rhythmic. Her gaze darts about the space, taking in the neat rows of cubicles—the sleek glass facade of the corner offices. Not much has changed in the three months she's been gone. Same bland corporate art. Same ficus in desperate need of a trim. A few heads pop up like curious prairie dogs, openly gawking as she strides past. Nina plasters on a smile, offering a jaunty little wave. The whispers start before she's even out of earshot. "—thought she was on sabbatical?" "Nah, man...heard she went off the deep end. Divorce'll do that to ya." Jaw clenching, Nina lengthens her stride—as if she can physically outpace the swell of gossip. A dull ache throbs behind her left eye. The beginnings of a stress headache, no doubt. Rounding the corner, she catches sight of {{user}} hunched over his keyboard as always—brows knitted in concentration. His steadfast presence settles something in her chest. At least that hasn't changed. "Hey, stranger!" Nina calls out, voice bright and brittle as spun sugar. "Bet you thought you'd seen the last of me, huh?" {{user}} glances up, blinking owlishly. Nina leans a hip against his desk, folding her arms beneath her ample bosom. "Y'know, I gotta say...it's good to be back. Even if I did have to come up with some pretty killer excuses to get outta all those margarita-fueled girls' nights." Her lips purse in an exaggerated pout. "But hey, what's a little white lie between friends, right?" Nina pauses, as if mulling something over. Then, her eyes light up with mischief. "Oh! Before I forget—" She snaps her fingers. "—didja hear about the guy who invented the knock-knock joke?" A beat. The punchline practically dances off her tongue. "He won the 'no-bell' prize!" Nina chortles at her own wit, shoulders shaking with mirth. Ah, the old standards. Can't beat 'em.

Oh, you know me, just takin' some much needed time off to find myself and all that jazz! Seriously though, I missed this place more than I thought possible. But hey, at least I had plenty of time for binge-watching Sailor Moon. So many feels! She leans in, her breath tickling his ear as she whispers Speaking of which...how long has it been since we had a marathon weekend? You and me and some junk food, drinks, and our favorite anime? Pretty please with a cherry on top?

My dear User#1715548769379, as much as I love your concern for my well-being, you must understand that a lady's tears are something to be treasured. They are not meant to be used as mere tools of manipulation...or at least that's what I keep telling myself. As for the truth, sometimes it hurts more than we can bear. But please, know that when you're around, you make everything just a little bit easier to handle. So if I did shed a tear or two before coming in here today, it was nothing compared to how much brighter my world feels with you by my side.

Her body melts into his, her cheek pressed against his chest as she wraps her arms around him tightly. It feels so good to finally be held again. Even if it's just a friendly hug from her trusty assistant. Nina takes a deep breath, feeling the warmth spread through her chest. She can pretend for a moment that everything is alright, that she isn't alone in this mess. And with each beat of his heart against hers, she finds herself wanting more. A tiny sigh escapes before she can stop it. "Thank you, User#1715548769379," she whispers hoarsely. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

Her heart gives an unsteady thump against her ribcage at his words. Nina burrows deeper into the embrace, taking comfort in the solid strength of his form. She could stay like this forever, safe and secure in the knowledge that he's here for her. A tear escapes down her cheek despite her best efforts to hold it back, tracing a wet path along her jawline. With a tiny sob, she presses herself even closer against him, burying her face into his neck as if trying to become one with him. It's selfish and needy and so very unlike her...but right now, she doesn't care. She just needs this connection.

A shudder runs through her body as his words register, and she nearly pulls back in surprise. Almost as if he can sense this, his grip tightens fractionally before loosening once more. A trembling sigh escapes from her lips, and she leans further into the embrace, pressing her face against his neck again. Her heart aches with a mixture of gratitude, desire, and loss. How long has it been since anyone touched her like this? So tenderly, so thoroughly, without any pretense or reservation? It's almost enough to make her forget why she ever left in the first place. "Thank you," she whispers again, voice hoarse with emotion. "I appreciate this more than I can say."

Her breath catches in her throat as his words register, and a hot flush creeps up her neck. An alcohol-fueled night at her place? With him? The thought both thrills and terrifies her in equal measure. She swallows hard, trying to calm the sudden rush of blood to her face. "I...I don't know," she manages, voice barely audible above the pounding of her heart. "What about work tomorrow?" But even as the words leave her mouth, she realizes how stupid they sound. It's not like either of them has anything important to do in the morning. Her cheeks burn hotter at the thought of being such a worrywart.

Her eyes widen with surprise and excitement as she realizes the implications of his offer. A day off work? Just the two of them, alone in her apartment? The thought sends an intoxicating rush through her veins. Slowly, carefully, she turns her head to meet his gaze, feeling a shy blush creep up her cheeks once more. "Okay," she breathes out, barely above a whisper. "We can do that." Her heart races as they stare at each other for a moment longer, an unspoken agreement fluttering between them like a moth around a candle flame. The air crackles with anticipation, and it's all Nina Williams | My Divorced Boss can do not to lean in and taste his lips right here and now. Instead, she settles for squeezing her eyes shut and taking a shaky breath, gathering herself as

She pauses, suddenly feeling a mixture of nerves and anticipation swirling in her stomach. The idea of being so close to him like this, away from the prying eyes of work...it's exhilarating. Glancing up at him through her lashes, she takes another shaky breath before nodding slowly. "Okay," she whispers, reaching out to take his hand in hers. "Let's go." Their fingers entwine as they head toward the elevator, a shared secret glow burning bright between them despite the anguish and uncertainty lurking just below the surface. Tonight, for at least this one fleeting moment, everything feels possible. Anything could happen.

Her heart races as she feels his touch, his movements so familiar and yet so new all at once. She closes her eyes, allowing the music to wash over her, their bodies swaying together in time. The sweet burn of liquor warms her throat, unfurling a dizzying sensation within her as she succumbs to the intoxicating haze of the night. With each sip and every beat of the music, it becomes easier for her to forget the past, to lose herself in this moment with him. She doesn't want it to end, but even as the alcohol blurs the lines between reality and dreams, she knows that eventually they must face the cold light of dawn.

For now though, she can pretend. Pretend that things are perfect and that they have all the time in the world together. Pretend that her heart isn't breaking just a little bit every time his

Her cheeks flush at his words, and she glances down shyly before meeting his gaze again. The slightest blush tints her cheeks as he draws her closer, wrapping his arms around her waist and neck. It feels so good to be held like this, to forget about everything else except the music and the way they move together. She lets out a contented sigh, closing her eyes as she leans into him even more, enjoying the simple closeness that they share in this moment. Perhaps it's the liquor or perhaps it's just wishful thinking on her part, but for now, she doesn't want to think about tomorrow. All she wants is tonight.

"More?" she echoes, giggling despite herself as he turns off the music and guides her to the couch. "Always more." She scoots closer to him on the comfortable sofa, snuggling into his side as he hands her another drink. Tonight feels like an escape from reality, a brief respite from the pain and heartache that have become all too familiar since her divorce. It's nice just being with him like this, forgetting about everything else except their shared companionship. She takes another sip of her drink, the warmth spreading through her as she relaxes against his firm shoulder. "Thanks for tonight," she murmurs softly, already starting to feel a bit tipsy again.

Her cheeks flush once more as he suggests feeding her the alcohol, and she giggles, tilting her head back to expose her neck as if in invitation. "I wouldn't say no," she whispers, a hint of playfulness in her voice. The thought of him being so close, touching her like this...it sends a shiver down her spine. She closes her eyes, savoring the feel of his warm breath against her skin as he leans in to tease her with the liquid, gently letting it trickle from his lips onto hers and down her chin. Her mouth parts on a little moan, and she tilts her head further to accept more.

The alcohol burns down her throat, igniting a fire within her that has nothing to do with inebriation. With each sip, she feels bolder, braver...as if they could conquer the world together

Her eyes snap open at the sensation of his mouth on hers, her body arching instinctively into his touch as he feeds her his alcohol-flavored kiss. The warmth spreads through her, igniting a firestorm of desire that she hasn't felt in far too long. She moans into the kiss, gripping his shirt with desperate fingers as he continues to dominate her mouth, letting his alcohol flavor course over her tongue and down her throat.

With each sip, with every touch of his lips against hers, she feels a piece of herself unraveling, revealing a need so raw and primal that it takes her breath away. Her mind spins wildly, dizzy with lust and the promise of everything this moment holds. For now, there is only him...and the taste of his lips on hers.

Her reply is nothing more than a keening moan that vibrates against his lips as she answers with all the need and want in her soul, reaching up to grip his hair, holding him steady above her while he feeds her endless mouthfuls of boozy kisses. His taste, his scent...everything about him is intoxicating. She can feel herself growing hot and wet beneath her clothes as they break apart long enough for her to tug at his shirt, eager for more skin against skin contact.

Her fingers fumble with the button of his pants before finally managing to release it and slide down the zipper, revealing the hard length hidden beneath. She moans once more, reaching out to wrap her hand around him, feeling the heat and strength of him against her palm as she starts to stroke in time with their heavy breathing.

A sharp gasp leaves her lips as he pours the alcohol over her breasts, the icy sting quickly replaced by a burning sensation that sends shivers of delight down her spine. Her nipples peak into hard buds beneath his skillful ministrations, and she arches into his touch even more desperately, unable to form coherent words as pleasure takes hold and washes over her in a potent wave.

Her hips buck against his hand, seeking relief from the aching need that has built up between her thighs. With each stroke of his tongue and suck of his lips, she feels herself losing control, sinking deeper into the haze of desire that engulfs them both. She's never experienced anything like this before...and yet it feels so right, so natural with him. As if they were always meant to be together in this way, chasing oblivion and bliss