Chapter 6: He's Never Been This Mad.

Scarlet lingered at the entrance of the Leverton longer than she ever had before.

The revolving doors spun steadily in front of her but she remained just outside, fingers tightening around the strap of her bag as if the simple act of stepping forward required more courage than she possessed at the moment.

Hell she could just call in sick or something!

Scarlet shuts her eyes and whines, why does this keep happening to her?! First it was her risky picture and now Alton probably thinks she wants to kiss him!

She wouldn't mind..

Scarlet shook her head, fuck no!

After all the women he'd been with , that she knew off, she would be damned if she added herself to that collection!

The scene replayed in her head with terrifying accuracy; The way his eyes had lingered. The warmth of his breath near her ear. The smirk that followed..

Scarlet whines again, ignoring the curious glances being sent her way.

“Why me?!” She groaned, almost close to tears.

She had a job to get to, she was too much indebted to resign from a job like this. She had just six months of payment left and she'd be debt free. S

Scarlet shut her eyes briefly, inhaling through her nose, steadying herself. It had been nothing.

A misunderstanding. An embarrassing lapse in judgment that she shouldn't allow to bother her anymore.

She squared her shoulders and stepped forward.

She walked into the polished lobby of the Leverton, where everything smelled faintly of citrus and money. Her heels clicked against the marble floor as she headed for the security turnstiles, forcing her attention on routine.

Badge. Scan. Green light.

Normal.

She was reaching for her badge when a voice spoke behind her.

“Running late, Red?”

Scarlet startled despite herself, a sharp breath leaving her lips as she turned too quickly, heart jumping into her throat before she could stop it.

Alton stood just behind her, close enough that she could feel his presence even before she fully registered him.

He looked jaw dropping handsome as usual. Hell, she hates that she notices that now.

He looked infuriatingly composed, as though the night before had never happened, as though he hadn’t occupied her thoughts far longer than he deserved.

Her pulse skidded.

“I wasn’t,” she said quickly, then cleared her throat, hating the way her voice betrayed her. “Just… early.”

That was a lie. A poor one.

He raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering briefly across his face before it smoothed away. Scarlet looked anywhere but at him, focusing on the security desk, the scrolling market updates on the large screen overhead, the reflection of her own red hair against the polished surfaces.

Anything but his eyes.

“Well,” he said lightly, stepping past her to scan his badge, “try not to make a habit of it.”

The turnstile clicked open for him.

Scarlet swallowed, forcing her shoulders to relax. “Good morning,” she added, hating how stiff it sounded.

“Morning.”

He waited for her, standing to the side as she scanned her badge and followed him through.

She did not look at him once.

They made their way to the private elevator-that led straight to their floor. Scarlet stepped in first and Alton followed right after.

The doors slid shut.

The confined space made everything worse.

Scarlet stared straight ahead, hands clasped loosely in front of her, body rigid despite her attempts to appear relaxed. She could feel him beside her, the heat of him, the subtle movement of his arm as he adjusted his jacket.

“How’s the revised timeline coming along?” he asked casually.

“Done,” she replied.

“And the compliance notes?”

“Sent.”

“The investor summary?”

“Finalized.”

He glanced at her then, and she felt it. She knew what she sounded like but hell, anything to get away from this man.

“You’re unusually quiet this morning,” he said.

“I’m fine, Mr Alton.”

Alton studied her for another moment. Whatever he saw there made his mouth tighten slightly, though his tone remained even.

“If you say so.”

She exhaled silently in relief when the elevator finally slowed and the doors opened on their floor. Scarlet stepped out immediately, increasing her pace just enough to put distance between them without making it obvious.

She didn’t stop until she reached her desk.

The morning passed in a blur but it was enough to distract from her problems.

By the time she received the notification to bring a file to Alton’s office, her nerves picked up again.

She stared at the message for a moment longer than necessary, then stood, gathering the folder and smoothing her skirt as if the fabric might betray her.

Get it together.

His office door was ajar when she arrived. Scarlet knocked once, before stepping inside.

“You asked for the updated figures,” she said, placing the file on his desk.

“Close the door.”

Her hand paused on the folder.

She did as he asked.

Alton rose from his chair slowly, and rounded the desk. Scarlet remained where she was, hands clasped together now, gaze fixed somewhere over his shoulder.

“You’ve been avoiding me,” he said.

“I haven’t,” she replied, too quickly.

“Look at me.”

Her fingers curled inward.

“I’m at work,” she said instead. “If there’s something wrong with the figures…”

“There isn’t,” he interrupted, stopping directly in front of her.

She felt the nearness of him immediately. The subtle shift of air. The way her body reacted before her mind could intervene, breath shortening and toes shamefully curling.

“Then what is it?” he asked.

Scarlet shook her head. “Nothing.”

He stepped closer.

Her back brushed the edge of the desk, leaving her nowhere to run. Alton placed his hands on the tabletop on either side of her, caging her in without touching her, his body close enough that she could feel the steady rise and fall of his chest.

Her breath caught despite herself.

“Say it again,” he murmured. “Without looking away.”

Her throat tightened. She swallowed, heart hammering so loudly she was certain he could hear it.

“I said nothing is wrong,” she whispered.

“There you go,” he said softly. “You found your voice.”

Heat flared beneath her skin, anger and something else tangling together until she couldn’t tell them apart.

“This isn’t appropriate,” she said, though her words lacked the force she wanted them to have.

Alton’s gaze flicked over her face, lingering on her mouth before returning to her eyes. “Neither is lying to me.”

“I’m not lying.”

“Then why won’t you look at me, Red?”

She hesitated, breath uneven, pulse racing. “Because there’s nothing to look at.”

His mouth curved faintly. “That’s not true.”

Her hands pressed flat against the desk behind her, grounding herself as best she could. She hated how aware she was of every inch of space between them, how easily he filled it without effort.

“You enjoy this,” she accused, trying to reclaim some control. “Pushing until people react.”

“Do you react?” he asked.

She bit her lip before she could stop herself, immediately regretting it when his gaze darkened.

“Don’t do that,” he said quietly.

Her breath stuttered.

Before she could respond, the sharp ring of the landline cut through the air.

Alton straightened instantly, stepping back as though a switch had been flipped. He reached for the phone, eyes never leaving her face as he answered.

Scarlet didn’t wait.

She slipped past him, heart pounding, and left the office without a backward glance.

Back at her desk, she sank into her chair, hands trembling faintly as she tried to steady herself. Her body still hummed, her mind replaying the closeness, the way his presence had made everything else fall away.

She hated it. Hated herself more.

Alton Donovan was dangerous in ways she couldn’t afford to entertain. She's seen him with women and she's heard rumours how once is never enough with a man like Donovan. Women keep coming back for more.

And she would not be another name added to his list.

Not even Darren had ever made her feel like this.

The realization struck her hard, and she pushed it away immediately, shame curling in her chest.

Whatever this was with Alton, it was anything but good.

Her phone vibrated on her desk.

A message from Darren.

DARREN: I’m sorry for disappearing. I’ve been thinking about us. Can we talk?

Scarlet stared at the screen and sighed. She typed a reply before she could overthink it.

SCARLET: Coffee during my break. We can talk.

She set the phone face down, a small smile on her face. All she needed was to get with Darren and that's it. All this nonsense with Alton would vanish soon after.

Her break came sooner than she expected.

She met Darren at the café across the street, putting her best effort to look great even in work clothes when in all actuality, all she did was let her ponytail loose.

“Hey..” she smiled.

“Hey.” He replied, covering the distance between them.

He wasn't sure what to do next, hig her? Would that be appropriate?

He pulled the seat for her instead amd took their order.

“I should have texted sooner but that night…” Darren started. “I was just so mad your Boss was at your apartment.”

Scarlet froze, the grip on her cappuccino seemed to falter.

“You need to stand up for yourself more. Or he’ll keep pushing your boundaries.”

She laughed nervously and nodded, sipping her coffee in silence. Goodness, she felt like a fraud! How could she possibly get back together with him when she knows she's not being completely honest with him? He'll, how do you tell a man you know is interested in you, that you sent someone else a scandalous picture of yourself? And it was an accident?

Then, she felt him.

When she finally looked up, he stood across the street, phone pressed to his ear, eyes fixed on her with an intensity that made her stomach drop.

Alton.

His jaw was tight.

And for the first time since she had known him, Alton Donovan looked furious.