A Dangerous Attraction

The next morning, Emma woke up feeling unsettled.

Sleep had been a lost cause.

Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Alexander's face.

The way he had looked at her.

The way he had touched her jaw so gently, as if testing something.

The way she had whispered, "Stop"—when every nerve in her body had screamed for him to keep going.

Emma groaned and buried her face in her pillow.

This was bad.

Very, very bad.

She was supposed to be playing a role.

Not actually feeling things.

And yet, for the first time since this fake engagement started—

She wasn't sure where the act ended and the truth began.

—

Avoidance is Impossible

Determined to shake off the previous night, Emma forced herself out of bed and headed downstairs.

She just needed coffee.

That was it.

But the second she stepped into the kitchen—

She froze.

Because there he was.

Alexander.

Standing by the counter in a white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up, holding a cup of coffee.

Looking way too good for this early in the morning.

Emma's pulse jumped.

He glanced up, meeting her eyes.

For a moment—neither of them moved.

Then—

"Morning," he said, voice calm, unreadable.

Emma swallowed. "Morning."

She forced herself to walk inside, grabbed a mug, and poured herself some coffee.

Her hands felt too warm—and she wasn't sure if it was from the coffee or from the way she could still feel his touch from last night.

Silence stretched between them.

Tense.

Heavy.

Emma hated it.

She had never felt awkward around him before.

So she did the only thing she could—

She pretended nothing had happened.

"So," she said, forcing a casual tone. "What's the plan today? More fake fiancé duties?"

Alexander took a slow sip of his coffee.

"You'll be coming to the office with me."

Emma nearly choked on her drink. "What?"

"You heard me."

She set down her mug. "Why?"

Alexander studied her. "Because people are talking."

Emma frowned. "Talking about what?"

He leaned against the counter, watching her.

"Last night, we were the center of attention," he said. "If my fiancée disappears the next day, people will start to question things."

Emma hesitated.

She hated that he was right.

But that didn't mean she liked the idea of stepping into his corporate world.

"I don't even know anything about your business," she pointed out.

Alexander smirked. "You don't need to."

Emma exhaled.

Great.

Just what she needed.

A full day trapped in his office.

With him.

—

Trouble at Westwood Enterprises

An hour later, Emma found herself stepping into Westwood Enterprises—a massive skyscraper that screamed power and money.

Employees stared as she walked past.

Some whispered.

Some openly gawked.

Emma ignored them all.

She was here for one reason only—to play her part.

Alexander led her to his office—a stunning space with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city.

Emma barely had time to take it in before a knock on the door interrupted them.

A man in a tailored suit stepped inside.

"Mr. Westwood," he said, his tone tense. "We have a problem."

Alexander's expression didn't change. "What kind of problem?"

The man hesitated. Then—

"It's your father."

Emma's stomach dropped.

Alexander's entire body stiffened.

For the first time since she met him, his control wavered.

"Leave us," he ordered.

The man nodded and quickly exited.

Emma hesitated. "Alexander?"

He turned away, running a hand through his hair.

His jaw was tight.

His shoulders—tense.

"Alexander," she said again, softer this time. "What's going on?"

For a long moment, he didn't answer.

Then—

"My father is trying to take my company from me."

Emma's breath caught.

She had heard rumors about Richard Westwood—one of the most ruthless businessmen in the country.

But she hadn't known he was after his own son.

"Why?" she asked.

Alexander let out a slow, humorless chuckle.

"Because he never wanted me to have it in the first place."

Emma stared at him.

There was something almost painful in his voice.

Like he wasn't just talking about business.

Like this was personal.

She hesitated—then stepped closer.

"Is there anything I can do?" she asked softly.

Alexander's gaze snapped to hers.

For a moment, something shifted between them.

Something unspoken.

Something dangerous.

Then—

"Just stay by my side," he murmured.

Emma swallowed.

Because somehow, that felt like the most dangerous thing of all.

—

The Breaking Point

That night, after hours at the office, they returned to the villa.

Emma was exhausted.

She had spent the entire day pretending to be the perfect fiancée, standing by Alexander's side as he dealt with crisis after crisis.

She had thought playing pretend would be easy.

But now, she wasn't so sure.

Because every time Alexander's hand found the small of her back—every time he leaned in to whisper something in her ear—

It felt too real.

And the worst part?

She wanted it to be real.

Emma groaned, running a hand down her face.

This was getting dangerous.

She needed distance.

She needed control.

So later that night, when Alexander knocked on her bedroom door—

She did something stupid.

She opened it.

And the second she did—

She knew she had made a mistake.

Because the moment their eyes met—

She wasn't sure she could fight this anymore.

Alexander took a slow step inside, his gaze locked on hers.

Emma's pulse raced.

"Tell me to leave," he murmured.

Her heart pounded.

She should.

She should tell him to go.

She should end this now before it was too late.

But instead—

She whispered the one thing she shouldn't.

"Stay."

And just like that—

The line they had been dancing around for weeks—

Was finally crossed.