Chapter 16: A Dangerous Curiosity

Emma sat frozen long after Alex had left.

His question lingered in the air, wrapping around her like a suffocating grip she couldn't shake off.

Why do you always act like wanting something is a weakness?

She hated that he had asked it.

Hated that it made her think.

Because if she answered honestly—if she peeled back all the layers of logic, control, and carefully built walls—she knew the truth wouldn't be something she wanted to face.

She had spent her entire life proving she didn't need anything or anyone.

Wanting something—someone—meant giving up control.

And that?

That was unacceptable.

—

The next morning, Emma walked into her office with a purpose.

A distraction.

She would drown herself in work, the same way she always had. Because work was predictable, controllable. It didn't look at her with knowing eyes. It didn't ask questions that made her chest tighten.

As she settled into her chair, Lily peeked in. "You have a meeting with Mr. Kingston at noon."

Emma's grip on her pen tightened.

Of course.

"Reschedule it," she said coolly.

Lily hesitated. "He specifically requested—"

"I don't care what he requested."

Lily pursed her lips but nodded, stepping out.

Emma exhaled slowly, pressing her fingers against her temple.

She needed distance from Alex. Whatever this was between them—it needed to stop before it turned into something she couldn't walk away from.

—

By noon, Emma was buried in work, ignoring the passing hours, the lingering tension, and—most importantly—the fact that she was actively avoiding him.

But Alex Kingston wasn't the type of man who was easy to avoid.

Her phone buzzed.

She glanced at the screen, already knowing who it was before she even read the message.

Alex Kingston: Running away, Carter?

Emma rolled her eyes.

She didn't reply.

A few seconds later, another message came through.

Alex Kingston: Fine. I'll come to you.

Her pulse jumped.

Before she could type a response, there was a knock at her office door.

She knew.

She knew it was him.

"Come in," she said, forcing her voice to stay even.

The door swung open, and Alex strolled in like he owned the place, that ever-present smirk tugging at his lips.

Emma exhaled through her nose. "Ignoring my request to reschedule, I see."

Alex shrugged. "Figured I'd save you the trouble."

She clenched her jaw. "What do you want, Kingston?"

He leaned against the desk, too close, too confident. "You. At dinner. Tonight."

Emma blinked.

Then laughed.

A short, humorless sound. "Not happening."

Alex raised a brow. "Scared?"

She scoffed. "Of what?"

His smirk deepened. "Of what might happen if you actually let yourself enjoy it."

Emma's stomach tightened.

Because it wasn't just his words.

It was the way he said them—like he already knew she wasn't unaffected by him.

Like he had already won.

And that?

That was dangerous.

So she did what she did best.

She shut it down.

Leaning back in her chair, she gave him a cool, unreadable stare. "Let me be clear, Kingston. I don't play games."

Alex tilted his head slightly, as if studying her. Then he smiled—a slow, knowing kind of smile.

"Neither do I," he murmured.

The air felt charged, something unspoken crackling between them.

Emma refused to be the first to look away.

Alex held her gaze for a beat longer, then finally pushed off the desk.

"Alright, Carter," he said, heading for the door. "You win. No dinner."

Emma should have felt relieved.

But the way he said it—calm, casual, as if he already knew something she didn't—made her uneasy.

Then, just before walking out, he threw one last remark over his shoulder.

"I'll see you somewhere else then."

The door shut behind him.

Emma let out a slow breath, her fingers curling against the desk.

Because deep down, she knew—

Alex Kingston didn't give up easily.

And this battle between them?

It was far from over.