Off-Limits Desire

Scarlett’s POVI am standing outside, my phone pressed against my ear and my eyes scanning both sides of the road, when suddenly, he bumps into me, hard and fast.The phone flies from my hand and lands on the ground in a clatter. The first thing I feel is anger, surging through every fragment of my being. I raise my eyes from my broken phone, my lips about to say the vilest words I can think of.But when my eyes come in contact with a piercing sea of blue, staring down at me with concern etched into his features, I suddenly forget what I was going to say.He narrows his gaze at me and leans in closer slowly. I take in his scent of cedarwood and earth, raw and masculine. My body jerks away, and my feet follow. Before I reach the ground, strong arms catch me, holding on to my shoulders.“Breathe,” he murmurs, his eyes still on mine. “I’ve got you.”I’ve got you. Those words sound so familiar. And the way he says it. It nudges softly at my brain, as if trying to bring to the fore somethi

Scarlett’s POV“Ares,” I whisper, torn between pleading and pushing him off. But if I plead, what exactly will I be begging for?The knocking on the door gets louder, more insistent. But Ares' contact doesn't falter. His face is inches away from mine, the heat that has swirled around us all evening entrapping us both. I feel drowsy suddenly, the need for my eyes to flutter closed getting stronger.“You think you know what you’re doing?” His voice is barely a growl. “You don’t, Scar. If I touch you, if I let this go one step further, it won’t stop. And then, what do I tell him? What should I tell them?”Them. My brother. His best friend, who trusts him more than anyone in the world. And Bianca, his fiancée. I am rudely reminded of that fact again, and it slices through me.But the heat doesn’t waver, because even now, even with all the reasons listed, Ares still doesn’t let go.Another loud knock. A risky thought crosses my mind. “Maybe you don’t tell him.”For a split second, it feels

Scarlett’s POVI spend the rest of the day with Roman, but we do not go back to his apartment. Instead, after breakfast, we go to the movies to see a new DC production, then circle back to another restaurant for lunch, and then a little karaoke.Settled in a park and watching nature all around us as the sun sets, I turn to face him.“Paws Real Estate is good for you,” I murmur, trying to be diplomatic about it. “But they are also rivals of the Hawthorne Group.”“Hawthorn….your brother’s company?” He raises his eyes in genuine surprise."Didn't I mention it before? The CEO of Paws has been doing all he can to bring my brother down. He has been intercepting his deals, ruining mergers for him, and even going as far as spreading rumors. If Spencer hears ….”“I can search for another placement,” Roman says at once, shaking his head. “If I had any clue about this, I wouldn’t have even applied. I feel so terrible right now.”“No, Roman,” I chuckle. “You don’t have to feel some way about it.

Scarlett’s POVI furrowed my brows in confusion, unconsciously rubbing the spot he had gripped me.The crisp navy blue of his suit disappeared as he rounded the corner, the air in the room suddenly becoming lighter.What exactly was his problem?I scratched my head absentmindedly, a fake cough breaking me out of my reverie.The guard awkwardly scratched his head, his other hand holding the steel doors open for me.I gasped softly, red creeping up my cheeks as I offered him a small smile.The elevator dinged again, the doors sliding open to reveal another floor.I craned my neck, admiring the architecture of this place.The floors were lined with polished hardwood, the floors so clear, the bulbs above reflected their light.The cream colored walls were lined with paintings and certificates, big redwood doors lining the winding corridor.The guard gestured for me to keep walking, his brown eyes sparkling under the passage lights.We rounded a corner, winding steps coming into view as he

Olivia’s POV“I step into the lobby of Blackwood & Co like I’ve got stock in the place. I don’t, but when your friend’s been losing sleep over the CEO, you earn the right to strut a little.”The receptionist smiles at me, but I wave it off. “Just picking her up,” I say, heels clicking across the polished marble.I expect to find Scarlett waiting by the elevators, scrolling through her phone and looking ten seconds from a nervous breakdown like she always does after a long day. But instead, I walk in on something… else.Scarlett’s standing there, lips pressed into a tight line, arms crossed, and Ares Blackwood is two feet in front of her, not giving her space. Not touching her, not inappropriate, but definitely not just "chatting with the intern."His jacket’s off, sleeves rolled, forearms flexing slightly as he gestures toward something she said. And Scarlett? She’s holding her ground like she’s got steel in her spine.I pause by the glass partition.He leans a fraction closer.“Your