**Alex's POV**
The air was thick with unspoken words and lingering tension as I faced Emma after Katerina's unexpected appearance. I could see the flicker of emotions in her eyes—confusion, irritation, maybe even a hint of jealousy—but she kept her expression carefully neutral, as if she was trying to mask the storm brewing beneath the surface.
"Alex, it's fine," Emma said, her voice steady but distant. "I get it. You have a past. I just didn't expect to meet her like that."
I could sense the walls she was putting up, a shield against whatever emotions she didn't want to reveal. **She cared. I could feel it.** But I knew she wouldn't let me see how deeply it affected her. Not yet.
"Emma, it's not fine," I replied, stepping closer, closing the gap between us. "I don't want you to think that she means anything to me. She's a chapter I've already closed."
Emma crossed her arms, her posture defiant, yet I could see the slight tremble in her fingers, a sign that she was still processing the encounter. "It's in the past, Alex. I know that. You don't have to explain yourself to me."
"Maybe I want to," I said softly, my voice low and inviting. I leaned in just enough to let her feel the warmth radiating off my body. "You're the one I care about now. I want you to know how much you mean to me."
She looked up, her gaze piercing as if she were trying to uncover every layer of my intentions. "Really? Because it didn't look like that when she was in the room."
I shook my head, stepping even closer until there was barely any space left between us. "Don't you see? You're the only one I want. I've spent too long trying to escape my past, and the last thing I want is for you to think I'd ever go back to it."
Emma hesitated for a moment, the conflict clear on her face. She was trying to maintain her composure, but I could see the flicker of uncertainty in her eyes. I took a calculated risk, leaning down slightly to bring my lips closer to her ear, my breath brushing against her skin. "You need to know that no matter what happens, I'm here for you. Only you."
The tension between us crackled with potential, and I could feel her pulse quicken. Her breath caught, just for a second, and that was all I needed to know I was getting through to her.
"Alex…" she began, but I didn't let her finish. I pulled back just enough to meet her gaze, my eyes locked onto hers, searching for any sign that she was willing to let down her guard.
"Emma, let me show you how much I want you. Let me prove to you that you're my priority." I lowered my voice even more, allowing a seductive tone to seep into my words. "I don't care about the past. I only care about right now… and you."
Her resolve seemed to waver as I stepped even closer, close enough that I could feel the heat radiating off her body. I reached out, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, letting my fingers linger against her skin. "Just say the word, and I'll forget about everything else."
For a brief moment, her expression softened, the rigid lines of her face melting away as she let herself feel the weight of the moment. "Alex, it's not that simple…"
"But it can be," I countered, my voice dropping to a husky whisper. I watched as her breath hitched again, the way her pupils dilated just slightly, giving away her true feelings despite her attempts to remain composed. "I want to be the one you think about. The one who makes you forget your doubts and insecurities."
I leaned in closer, our faces mere inches apart. "Let me take you out tonight. Just you and me. No distractions. I want to show you how I feel."
Emma opened her mouth to respond, but I could see the internal struggle written across her features. I knew she wanted to give in; she just needed a little more coaxing.
"Just one night," I urged, my voice low and smooth. "Let's forget everything else and just be us. I promise you'll see what I mean."
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, her defenses cracked just enough for a hint of vulnerability to shine through. "Okay," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "But you have to promise me that Katerina is out of the picture for good."
I smiled, feeling a rush of victory at her agreement. "I promise. It's only you, Emma. Always."
As I leaned in to press a soft, lingering kiss to her lips, I felt the weight of her uncertainty melt away, replaced by the warmth of what we were building together. In that moment, all I wanted was for her to realize that she was everything I had been searching for, and that I wouldn't let anyone—especially not Katerina—come between us again.