Chapter 43 – The Fine Line Between War and Desire

Emma stared at her screen, willing herself to focus. The motion Alex had thrown into the case had completely derailed her original strategy. She spent hours analyzing every angle, every precedent that could counter his move.

But no matter how much she tried to drown herself in legal arguments, her mind kept drifting back to that meeting.

The way he had leaned in just a little too close.

The way his voice had dropped just enough to make it feel personal.

The way he made her want to cross lines she had no business crossing.

Emma clenched her fists. She needed to put a stop to this—whatever this was.

She was a professional.

She was a damn good attorney.

And she was not going to let some smug, dangerously attractive man throw her off her game.

—

The next morning, Emma arrived at the courthouse earlier than necessary, needing the extra time to prepare. But she wasn't alone.

Alex was already there, leaning against the marble wall just outside the courtroom, a knowing smirk tugging at his lips.

"Couldn't stay away, Carter?"

Emma exhaled slowly, determined not to take the bait. "Unlike you, I take this job seriously."

Alex chuckled, pushing off the wall. "That's adorable. You think I don't?"

Emma glared at him. "Filing a last-minute motion just to throw me off? That's not strategy, Kingston. That's desperation."

His smirk didn't falter. If anything, it grew.

"Desperation?" He stepped closer, voice dropping. "Carter, if I were desperate, you'd know."

Her breath hitched.

His words weren't just about the case.

They never were.

Before she could respond, the doors to the courtroom opened.

Emma squared her shoulders, brushing past him without another word.

She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of knowing just how much he was getting to her.

—

Inside the courtroom, they returned to being adversaries.

Alex presented his argument with his usual smooth confidence, but Emma countered every point with razor-sharp precision. The judge listened carefully, expression unreadable, before finally looking up.

"I'll need time to review both arguments before making a ruling," he announced. "In the meantime, I strongly encourage both parties to negotiate."

Emma's jaw tightened.

She knew exactly what that meant.

—

After the hearing, Alex caught up with her outside the courthouse.

"Looks like we'll be spending some quality time together," he mused.

Emma exhaled sharply, turning to face him. "Negotiation doesn't mean manipulation, Kingston. If you think I'm just going to roll over and—"

"Emma."

The way he said her name sent a shiver down her spine.

Not Carter. Not some flippant remark. Just Emma.

And God help her, she liked the way it sounded coming from him.

"I don't want you to roll over," Alex continued, stepping closer. "I want you to fight. I like it when you fight."

Her pulse quickened. "This isn't a game."

His gaze darkened. "Then why does it feel like one?"

She swallowed hard, refusing to back down. "Because you make everything feel like a challenge."

His lips quirked. "And yet, you keep playing."

Emma hated how right he was.

Before she could respond, her phone buzzed—a much-needed reminder of reality.

She glanced down, seeing a message from her firm.

Meeting in 20 minutes. We need a strategy.

She looked back up at Alex.

Whatever this was between them, it wasn't just tension anymore.

It was a collision waiting to happen.

"See you at the negotiating table, Kingston," she said, her voice steady despite the fire raging inside her.

Alex grinned. "Looking forward to it."

And as she walked away, she could feel his eyes on her.

The line between war and desire was dangerously thin.

And Emma was barely holding her ground.

—

To be continued…