Chapter 61– No Turning Back

Emma should have stopped.

Should have pulled away.

Should have reminded herself that this was Alex—the man who had made it his mission to drive her insane from the moment they met.

But none of that mattered now.

Because the second his hands slid up her back, pulling her closer, all logic disappeared.

All that remained was this.

His lips on hers, his body pressed against hers, his breath mingling with hers as if they had been waiting for this moment all along.

Alex groaned into her mouth, deepening the kiss, his fingers tightening on her waist.

"You have no idea what you do to me," he murmured against her lips, his voice rough, filled with something raw.

Emma shivered.

Because she did know.

She could feel it.

In the way his hands roamed her body like he was memorizing every inch.

In the way his lips moved against hers—desperate, consuming, like he was claiming her and letting her claim him right back.

Her nails scraped against the back of his neck, earning a low growl from him. The sound sent a thrill straight through her, making her legs tighten around his waist.

Alex's breath hitched, his grip on her tightening. "You keep doing that, Carter, and I might forget how to be a gentleman."

Emma let out a breathless laugh. "Since when have you ever been a gentleman?"

Alex smirked, but there was something darker behind his eyes. "Good point."

Then he kissed her again—harder, deeper, as if he was trying to erase every doubt, every hesitation, until there was nothing left but this.

His lips traveled from her mouth to her jaw, down to the curve of her neck, where he lingered, his breath hot against her skin.

Emma gasped, fingers tangling in his hair as his teeth scraped against her pulse point.

She was losing herself in him.

And for once, she didn't care.

Alex's hands slid beneath her shirt, his fingers teasing the bare skin beneath. He was moving slowly, deliberately, as if waiting for her to stop him.

She didn't.

Instead, she grabbed his face and pulled him back to her, kissing him with everything she had.

Alex groaned, his hands tightening on her hips. "You're playing a dangerous game, sweetheart."

Emma smirked against his lips. "So are you."

His laugh was dark, low. "Oh, I know."

And then, just as things were about to spiral completely out of control—

A sharp knock on the door shattered the moment.

Emma froze.

Alex let out a frustrated groan, dropping his forehead against hers. "You have got to be kidding me."

Emma swallowed hard, forcing herself to breathe.

What the hell had just happened?

She had been seconds away from crossing a line she could never take back.

And the worst part?

She wasn't sure if she regretted it.

Another knock. More insistent this time.

Emma pushed against Alex's chest, her voice unsteady. "We should—" She cleared her throat. "We should get that."

Alex exhaled heavily, his grip on her lingering before he finally stepped back.

And just like that, the spell was broken.

Emma slid off the desk, straightening her clothes as she walked toward the door.

When she opened it, she expected a coworker, maybe security.

But the moment she saw who it was, her stomach dropped.

Because standing there, with a smug smile on his face, was James Calloway.

Her ex.