Chapter 24: Crossing the Line

Emma wasn't the type to let her emotions dictate her actions.

She had spent years training herself to be untouchable. To be in complete control.

And yet, as she sat beside Alex, his arm barely brushing hers, she felt her carefully built walls start to crack.

She hated it.

She hated how easy it was for him to get under her skin, to make her second-guess herself.

But most of all?

She hated that she didn't want to pull away.

—

Alex must have sensed it.

Because instead of making some cocky remark, he just sat there, sipping his coffee, giving her space.

Emma wasn't sure if that made it better or worse.

The silence stretched between them, thick with something unspoken.

She could feel him watching her, waiting.

For what, she wasn't sure.

And she wasn't ready to ask.

—

Finally, she pushed her plate away and stood. "Thanks for breakfast."

Alex arched a brow. "That sounded almost sincere."

Emma rolled her eyes. "Don't get used to it."

Alex smirked. "Oh, I wouldn't dare."

But there was something in his eyes.

Something different.

Like he saw more than she wanted him to.

—

A Change of Plans

Emma had every intention of leaving.

She had already overstayed, and she needed distance before she did something reckless.

But then her phone buzzed.

A message from her assistant, Claire.

Meeting postponed. Call me when you're free.

Emma frowned.

She had planned to go straight to work, but now…

Now, there was no reason to rush.

And Alex knew it.

Because the second she put her phone down, he smirked. "Change of plans?"

Emma crossed her arms. "My morning just freed up."

Alex leaned back in his chair. "So that means you're staying?"

Emma hesitated.

Every instinct told her to go.

But then she caught the challenge in his eyes.

Like he was daring her to stay.

And Emma Carter never backed down from a challenge.

—

"Fine," she said. "But only for another coffee."

Alex grinned. "I'll take what I can get."

—

The Thin Line Between Caution and Chaos

An hour later, they were still in his penthouse.

The conversation had shifted from their usual verbal sparring to something unexpected.

Something real.

Emma wasn't sure how it happened, but suddenly, they were talking about things that mattered.

Alex told her about his childhood in Philadelphia, about the pressure of growing up in a family with expectations he never wanted to meet.

She told him about law school, about the endless hours, the sacrifices.

And for once—

It wasn't about winning.

It wasn't about who had the upper hand.

It was just them.

—

At some point, Alex leaned in, resting his elbows on the table. "You ever get tired of it?"

Emma frowned. "Of what?"

Alex studied her, his expression unreadable. "Fighting for something that never lets you breathe."

The words hit harder than she expected.

Because yes.

She was always fighting.

For her clients. For her reputation. For control.

And maybe—just maybe—she was tired.

But she wouldn't admit it.

Not to him.

So, she forced a smirk. "You act like I have a choice."

Alex's gaze darkened. "You always have a choice, Carter."

Emma held his stare.

And in that moment, she realized—

He wasn't talking about work.

—

A Line They Couldn't Uncross

The air between them changed.

It wasn't playful anymore.

It was dangerous.

And Emma knew she should shut it down.

But she didn't.

Instead, she let the silence stretch, let the tension build—

Until Alex finally stood, stepping around the table.

He stopped right in front of her, close enough that she could feel the heat radiating off him.

Emma's pulse spiked.

He reached out, slow, deliberate—

His fingers brushed against hers.

A question. A challenge.

And for the first time—

She didn't pull away.

—

"Tell me to stop," Alex murmured.

Emma swallowed hard.

She should.

She needed to.

But she didn't.

Instead, she tilted her head, meeting his gaze. "I hate you."

Alex smirked. "Liar."

And then—

His lips were on hers.