All Chapters of Off-Limits Desire: Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

Scarlett's POV“Is something happening at work today?” Spencer asked, his eyes flicking from the road to me as he turned left onto the long, winding driveway leading to the Blackwood compound.Sunlight filtered through the trees, casting fleeting shadows across the car’s dashboard.I blinked hard, trying to keep my eyes open, but the weight of exhaustion dragged them shut every time I let my guard down.My head lolled to the side against the window, and a sharp, dull ache pulsed behind my temples, forcing a groan out of me as the car slowed to a stop at the gate.“What do you mean?” I rasped, my voice barely above a whisper, as I fought to string together coherent words. Talking felt like a chore, like my brain was wrapped in cotton.Spencer glanced at me again, his brows furrowing, before punching in the code to open the gate.“It’s literally seven a.m., Scar. I don’t think even receptionists go to work this early,” he said, his tone laced with mild disbelief. He shifted the car into

Scarlett's POVI coughed awkwardly, clearing my throat as I shuffled backward, trying to put some space between us.My foot caught on something, Ares’ shoe, of course, the world tilted sharply as I stumbled.My arms flailed uselessly, and a startled yelp escaped me as I felt myself falling. Before I could hit the ground, Ares moved faster than I thought possible.He shot out of the chair, his hands gripping me firmly and pulling me back up.His large hands cupped the small of my back, steadying me as my palms instinctively landed on his chest. He was close, too close.I could feel the rise and fall of his chest beneath my hands, his breathing still uneven from the sudden movement. My heart hammered in my chest as I looked up at him, and for a moment, neither of us moved.The air between us thickened, charged with something unspoken.His dark eyes searched mine, and I swore the corner of his lips twitched, like he was fighting back a smirk. My cheeks flushed, and I opened my mouth to s

SCARLETT'S POV“Where is the damn thing?” I muttered under my breath, crouching lower to peer into the abyss that was the space under my bed.The hardwood floor was freezing against my knees, and my flimsy tank top did nothing to keep the chill from seeping into my skin.A shiver ran down my spine as I stretched my arm further under the bed, fingers sweeping through a graveyard of dust bunnies, stray hair ties, andWas that an old sock?Gross. I grimaced, pulling my hand back and wiping it on my pajama shorts. Still no sign of the slippers.As if mocking me, my phone let out a sharp beep from its spot on the nightstand, a notification lighting up the screen.I ignored it, letting out a frustrated sigh as I pushed myself to my feet, wincing at the ache in my knees. “Great,” I muttered, brushing off my hands and glancing around the room as though the slippers might magically materialize if I stared hard enough.They didn’t.Running a hand through my hair, I flung open the bedroom door w

Scarlett's POV“Just let me finish these pancakes first,” I mumbled around a mouthful of syrupy goodness, shoving another forkful into my mouth like I hadn’t eaten in days.Olivia snorted, flopping onto my bed without a shred of hesitation. She stretched out like she owned the place, fiddling absentmindedly with my bedsheets as her legs dangled off the side.“So,” she said, her voice casual but expectant, “where are we even gonna go?” Her fingers tugged at a loose thread on the quilt, her nails clicking softly against the fabric as she waited for my answer.I hummed in response, entirely too focused on the stack of pancakes in front of me. My clips sat on the table next to my plate, and I grabbed one, sliding it back into my hair with one hand while shoveling more pancakes into my mouth with the other.“I don’t even…” I started, my voice muffled by the food I hadn’t bothered to swallow yet. Olivia raised a perfectly arched brow at me, her expression equal parts amused and judgmental.

Scarlett's POV“Where are my cream slacks? Spencer groans, rummaging through his closet as I button up my blouse, plopping on his bed.His vanilla scent wafts into my nose as Ariana's voice croons out his speakers, barely audible.“Spence, you don't have cream slacks you have beige slacks,” I pause, chuckling as the perfectly starched pair of pants catches my eye underneath his big blue suitcase. “And here they are,” I say as I wrench them out from underneath his suitcase with a grunt.“Ugh,” he groans, grabbing them from my arms as he ruffles my hair, “Scar, you are a lifesaver. I was so gonna be late for my flight,” he says as he rips a shirt off its hanger, hastily buttoning it up.I pat my hair down, smoothing it as I shoot daggers at Spencer.He chuckles lowly, glancing at his watch.“Shit, shit,” he cusses, grabbing his wallet and airpod case from the nightstand as he disappears into the bathroom, reappearing moments later with his toiletries.“If I don't get going now, I'm not