Chapter 44 – Lines That Blur Too Easily

Emma sat in the sleek conference room of her firm, her fingers drumming against the polished wood as her team reviewed the possible outcomes of the judge's ruling. The meeting had been going on for an hour, but her mind wasn't entirely in it.

Because across the city, Alex Kingston was probably sitting in a similar room, doing the exact same thing—preparing for war.

"Emma?" Olivia's voice pulled her back to the present. "You're unusually quiet."

Emma straightened, pushing thoughts of Alex aside. "Just considering our next move."

Her senior partner, Mark Dalton, leaned forward. "You know the judge wants a settlement."

Emma clenched her jaw. "I'm aware."

"And?"

And that meant she would have to meet with Alex. Again. In a closed-door negotiation, where their verbal battles wouldn't have the restraint of a courtroom.

Emma exhaled. "I'll handle it."

Mark studied her for a moment before nodding. "Good. Because Kingston's team is expecting to meet tomorrow."

Tomorrow.

Not enough time to build the emotional distance she desperately needed.

Not enough time to remind herself that Alex Kingston was the enemy.

—

The next morning, she walked into the high-rise building where Alex's firm was located, her heels clicking against the marble floor as she approached the receptionist.

"Emma Carter, here for the Kingston case negotiations."

The receptionist nodded. "Mr. Kingston is expecting you. Conference room at the end of the hall."

Emma inhaled slowly, straightening her blazer. She was ready for this.

At least, she thought she was—until she stepped inside and found Alex alone, leaning against the table with an easy smirk.

"Where's your team?" she asked, keeping her tone neutral.

Alex's gaze flickered with amusement. "I sent them away."

Emma frowned. "Excuse me?"

He gestured toward the empty room. "We both know how this works, Carter. Our teams posture, throw out ridiculous numbers, and waste hours getting nowhere. You and I? We're the ones who actually make things happen."

Emma crossed her arms. "And you think sitting here alone with you is going to make me more agreeable?"

Alex stepped closer, just enough to make her heart trip over itself. "I think you and I do our best work when no one else is in the room."

Her breath hitched.

He wasn't just talking about the case.

Emma knew she should demand a formal setting, should insist that their teams be present. But deep down, she wanted to see where this was going.

She dropped her bag on the table, her gaze unwavering. "Fine. Let's negotiate."

Alex's lips curled. "That's what I like to hear."

—

For the next two hours, they battled.

Every offer Alex made, Emma countered. Every attempt he made to steer the conversation, she redirected.

But the tension wasn't just in their arguments. It was in the way he leaned closer every time he made a point. The way his voice lowered when he challenged her. The way her pulse quickened every damn time his fingers brushed against hers when they exchanged documents.

At one point, Alex leaned back, watching her with something unreadable in his eyes.

"You love this, don't you?" he murmured.

Emma arched a brow. "Winning? Yes."

Alex's gaze darkened. "That's not what I meant."

Her stomach tightened.

He was testing her.

Waiting to see if she'd acknowledge whatever this was between them.

Emma picked up her pen, deliberately focusing on the contract in front of her. "Are we negotiating or flirting, Kingston? Because I don't have time for both."

Alex exhaled a quiet laugh. "Who says we can't do both?"

Emma forced herself to ignore the way her skin burned under his gaze.

She was losing control of this situation, and she needed to take it back.

So she stood, gathering her files. "I'll review this with my team and get back to you."

Alex watched her, that smirk still playing at his lips. "Running away, Carter?"

Emma leaned in just enough to throw him off balance. "No, Kingston. I just like to keep you waiting."

And with that, she walked out, leaving him exactly where she wanted him—wanting more.

—

Later that night, Emma sat in her apartment, replaying every moment.

This wasn't just professional rivalry anymore.

It was a dangerous game.

And for the first time in her life, she wasn't sure if she wanted to win… or if she wanted to lose.

—

To be continued…