The Fire Between Us

The mansion was silent, except for the occasional flicker of candlelight against the dark marble walls. Beren sat on the plush velvet couch in the living room, pretending to be busy scrolling through her phone. But her mind was still trapped in that underground lair… trapped with him.

Emir.

The way he had trapped her against the wall, the heat in his touch, the way his dark green eyes had burned into her—it was haunting her. She hated it. She hated him.

Or at least, she told herself she did.

A heavy presence filled the room. She didn't need to turn around to know who had entered.

"You're staring too hard at your phone, sweetheart," Emir's deep, amused voice cut through the silence.

Beren's grip tightened on the device. "What do you want?"

She finally looked up.

And regretted it instantly.

He was fresh out of the shower.

His brown hair was damp, a few strands falling over his forehead. He wore a plain black t-shirt, stretched over his broad shoulders, and dark sweatpants hung low on his hips. He looked relaxed, dangerous, effortlessly intoxicating.

Beren forced herself to look away. "Why are you here?"

Emir leaned against the wall, crossing his arms, his signature smirk tugging at his lips. "I live here, Beren."

She rolled her eyes. "I mean, why are you here, bothering me?"

Emir tilted his head, studying her like a puzzle he was trying to solve. "Because you're fun to bother."

Beren shot him a glare. "You're annoying."

He chuckled. "And you like it."

She gasped, cheeks flushing. "Excuse me?"

Emir took slow, deliberate steps toward her, closing the space between them. Too close.

"You're still thinking about it, aren't you?" His voice was low, taunting.

Beren swallowed hard. "Thinking about what?"

Emir's lips curved into a devilish smirk. "How it felt when I touched you."

Her pulse spiked.

"Shut up," she hissed, standing up to walk away.

But before she could take a step, he grabbed her wrist.

Beren froze.

Déjà vu.

But this time… he didn't let go.

Instead, he pulled her closer, until their bodies were inches apart. The heat of him seeped through her clothes, sending shivers down her spine.

Beren sucked in a sharp breath. "Emir, let go."

His grip tightened, just slightly. Not enough to hurt—but enough to make her feel completely powerless.

"Why?" he murmured, his voice dripping with dark amusement. "Scared?"

Beren clenched her jaw. "Of you? Never."

Emir let out a deep, sinful chuckle. "Liar."

She turned her face away, refusing to meet his eyes.

His fingers trailed slowly from her wrist up to her forearm, his touch barely there—but setting her entire body on fire.

"You think I don't notice?" he whispered, leaning in, his lips almost grazing her ear. "The way you react every time I get close?"

Beren's breath hitched.

"I don't react," she lied, voice barely above a whisper.

Emir hummed, the sound dangerously amused. "That's cute."

And then—his lips ghosted over the side of her neck.

Not quite touching. Just… hovering. Teasing.

Beren stopped breathing.

She felt him smirk against her skin. "Still not reacting?"

"You—"

A knock on the door.

Emir pulled back slightly, exhaling through his nose like he was annoyed by the interruption.

Beren nearly collapsed from the tension.

The door creaked open, and Ece stepped inside.

Beren's stomach twisted.

Ece—the daughter of a powerful businessman, always lingering around Emir like an unwanted shadow.

Her eyes instantly locked onto them. More specifically, on how close Emir and Beren were standing.

A flicker of something sharp crossed her expression.

"Am I… interrupting something?" Ece asked sweetly, but her eyes screamed murder.

Emir straightened but didn't move away from Beren completely. Instead, he smirked. "What do you think?"

Ece's fake smile faltered for half a second before she quickly recovered. "I just wanted to talk to you, Emir."

Beren wanted to roll her eyes so hard they fell out of her head.

"Great, take him," she muttered under her breath, trying to step away—but Emir caught her wrist again.

"I'm busy," he told Ece, his eyes still on Beren.

Ece's jaw clenched, but she forced a laugh. "With her?"

Emir finally looked at Ece. His smirk turned razor-sharp. "Jealous?"

Ece's face darkened, but she masked it with a tight smile. "You wish."

Emir chuckled, finally releasing Beren's wrist. "I do. I wish you'd leave."

Beren snorted. This was the first time Emir had ever said something she agreed with.

Ece's face burned with anger, but she turned on her heels and stormed out.

The moment the door shut, Beren exhaled.

"You're such an ass."

Emir smirked. "And yet, you're still here."

Beren grabbed the nearest pillow and threw it at his face.