Shelley’s eyes were burning from staring at the computer screen for hours on end. The dim light of the conference room illuminated the scattered papers and empty coffee cups that littered the large board table. She stretched her arms above her head, feeling the tension in her muscles from the long hours of work.

“Hey, let’s take a break and stretch our legs and backs,” Doug said, his voice breaking through her concentration. “Come with me to the vending machine for a Coke.”

Shelley hesitated, her eyes flicking back to her laptop screen. They were so close to finalizing the details for the biggest deal their firm had ever worked on. The stress of ensuring its success weighed heavily on her shoulders. But the caffeine buzz was wearing off, and she could feel her energy levels dipping.

“Fine,” she sighed, pushing her chair back and standing up. “But we can’t be gone too long.”

Doug grinned, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Don’t worry, I’ll have you back in no time. Promise.”

They made their way out of the conference room and into the quiet hallway. The building was deserted at this hour, save for the occasional patrol of the security guard. Shelley could feel the sexual tension between them, a familiar hum that had been building for years. They had always been competitive, driven by a shared obsession with success. But lately, there had been something more, a spark that ignited whenever they were alone together.