Chapter 9: Unspoken Tension

Emma Carter wasn't one to get distracted. She had trained herself to be focused, controlled, and always ahead of the game. But ever since Alex Kingston walked into her life, things had started to shift in ways she wasn't prepared for.

It wasn't just his arrogance or the way he constantly challenged her—it was the way he made her feel like she was playing a game she didn't even know she had entered.

And she wasn't sure if she was winning or losing.

—

That evening, Emma found herself at a high-end lounge, sipping on a glass of wine as the warm glow of the chandeliers reflected off the marble floors. The event was a networking dinner, filled with influential people, but her mind was elsewhere.

She wasn't expecting him to show up.

But of course, he did.

Alex Kingston walked into the room like he owned it, his confidence effortless, his dark suit tailored perfectly to his frame. Conversations seemed to pause when he entered—like he had some invisible pull that made people notice him without even trying.

Emma pretended not to care.

But when he spotted her across the room, that familiar smirk playing on his lips, she knew pretending would only get her so far.

"Carter," he greeted smoothly, sliding into the empty seat beside her. "Didn't think I'd find you here."

Emma took a slow sip of her wine. "Then you don't know me very well."

Alex chuckled. "I'm learning."

She exhaled, turning slightly to face him. "Why are you here, Kingston?"

"Networking. Mingling. Enjoying the view." His eyes flickered toward her, and she knew exactly what he meant.

Emma rolled her eyes. "You're impossible."

"And yet, here we are."

The air between them felt heavier than it should have. There were dozens of people around, but in that moment, it felt like it was just the two of them.

Emma hated that he had that effect on her.

She refused to let him see it.

"You love playing games, don't you?" she asked, tilting her head.

Alex smirked. "Only when the opponent is worth it."

Emma's pulse quickened, but she kept her expression unreadable. "Then let me make one thing clear—I don't play games."

Alex leaned in just slightly, his voice low and smooth. "Then what do you do, Carter?"

She met his gaze, refusing to back down. "I win."

For the first time, Alex didn't have a witty comeback. He just looked at her, something unreadable flickering in his green eyes.

A strange, electric tension settled between them, something neither of them were willing to name.

Emma wasn't sure what this was.

But she knew one thing for certain.

She was in dangerous territory.

And she wasn't sure if she wanted to turn back.