Chapter 60 – The Breaking Point

Emma was furious.

Not just at Alex.

At herself.

At the way her body reacted to him.

At the way he could walk into a room and completely take over her senses.

And right now, with him standing in front of her, that damn cocky smirk playing at his lips, she knew she was in trouble.

"You're staring," Alex murmured, tilting his head slightly, amusement dancing in his eyes.

Emma scoffed, folding her arms. "I'm glaring."

"Mm." He took a slow step forward. "Glaring is just staring with attitude, Carter."

She hated how her breath hitched.

Alex was always like this. Always pushing, always testing her limits. But tonight felt different.

Darker.

More dangerous.

She turned sharply, ready to leave. But before she could take a single step, his hand shot out, catching her wrist.

And just like that, the tension snapped.

Emma spun back around, her eyes locking onto his. "Let go."

Alex didn't move. His grip wasn't tight, wasn't forceful—just firm enough to let her know he wasn't backing down.

"Make me," he murmured.

And damn him.

Damn the way those two words sent a thrill down her spine.

Emma yanked her wrist free, but before she could put distance between them, Alex was already closing in.

"Admit it," he said, voice low, teasing. "You feel it too."

Her heart pounded. "Feel what?"

Alex smirked. "This."

And then he kissed her.

The second Alex's lips crashed against hers, Emma's world tilted.

It wasn't soft.

It wasn't hesitant.

It was fire and chaos and everything she had been trying to ignore for months.

She should stop.

She should push him away.

But instead, her fingers curled into his shirt, pulling him closer.

Alex made a low sound of approval, his hands sliding to her waist as he backed her against the desk.

"You drive me insane," he murmured against her lips, his voice rough with something raw, something real.

Emma barely had time to process his words before he kissed her again—harder, deeper, his fingers digging into her hips.

She gasped, and Alex took advantage, his tongue sliding against hers in a way that sent a shiver down her spine.

He tasted like whiskey and something darker, something addicting.

And God help her—she wanted more.

Alex lifted her onto the desk, stepping between her legs, his hands sliding up her thighs.

Emma gripped his shoulders, nails biting into his skin through his shirt.

"This is a mistake," she whispered, but there was no conviction in her voice.

Alex grinned against her lips. "Then why aren't you stopping me?"

Emma didn't have an answer.

Because she wasn't stopping him.

Because she didn't want to.

His lips trailed along her jaw, down the column of her throat, leaving a burning path in their wake.

Emma tilted her head back, eyes fluttering shut, letting herself feel for the first time in so long.

Alex's hands slid under her shirt, fingertips tracing along her skin, teasing but never quite giving her what she needed.

It was infuriating.

It was intoxicating.

And it was Alex.

She pulled him back to her, crashing their lips together once more.

And this time, she kissed him like she meant it.

Like she was done pretending.

Like she wanted him just as much as he wanted her.

Because she did.

God help her—she did.

—

To be continued…