Nova_Everly

Emma Carter has spent years building her consulting empire, proving she doesn’t need anyone—especially arrogant, entitled men like Alex Kingston. Smart, ruthless, and fiercely independent, she’s always played to win.

Alex Kingston is a business shark—rich, charming, and impossible to outmaneuver. He thrives on competition and never backs down from a challenge. So when a billion-dollar deal forces them to work together, their rivalry ignites into an all-out war.

But as the battle intensifies, so does the undeniable attraction simmering beneath their fights. Enemies turn to reluctant allies, then something more dangerous—something neither of them is ready to face.

In a city where power is everything, will they fight for dominance… or surrender to a love that could ruin them both?

Against the Odds: A Love Rewritten

The air between them was thick, charged with something electric. Alex's hands gripped Emma's waist, his fingers digging into her skin like he was anchoring himself to her. His lips hovered just above hers, his breath warm, teasing, daring her to make the next move.

Emma wasn't used to feeling out of control. She was always the one in charge, the one who kept her emotions locked up, carefully guarded. But with Alex, all of that restraint melted away like it had never existed in the first place.

Her fingers trailed up his chest, feeling the steady rise and fall of his breath beneath her touch. She could hear the slight hitch when she brushed over the sensitive skin at the base of his throat, could feel the way his muscles tensed in response.

"You're playing with fire, Carter," Alex murmured, his voice rough, strained.

Emma smirked, tilting her head slightly. "And what if I want to get burned?"

Alex let out a low growl, his hands tightening on her hips as he pulled her even closer. Their bodies pressed together, heat radiating between them like an unspoken promise. His lips found the hollow of her throat, pressing slow, open-mouthed kisses that sent shivers down her spine.

She arched into him, her hands tangling in his hair as his lips moved lower, teasing, tasting. Every touch was deliberate, meant to make her come undone, meant to make her forget about anything but him.

Alex pulled back just slightly, his dark eyes locking onto hers. There was something intense in his gaze—something raw, something vulnerable. "Tell me you feel this too," he whispered.

Emma swallowed hard, her pulse hammering in her ears. She knew what he was asking. Knew what he needed to hear. And for once, she didn't want to run from the truth.

"I do," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Something flickered in Alex's expression, something like relief, like triumph. His hand slid up her back, pulling her even closer until there was no space left between them.

"Good," he murmured against her lips. "Because I'm not letting you go."

The intensity of his words sent a shiver down her spine, but before she could respond, his lips were on hers again, stealing her breath, stealing every last rational thought from her mind.

This was different. This wasn't just lust, wasn't just desire. It was something deeper, something neither of them was ready to name.

But for tonight, she didn't need names.

Chapter 64 – Shattered Illusions