Maya's heart thudded in her chest as Kara leaned casually against the doorframe, her eyes raking over her like a predator assessing its prey. The tension in the air crackled, thick and uncomfortable, and Maya couldn't help but feel like she was about to be caught in the middle of something she didn't fully understand.
Alex's eyes darkened, and he stepped between them, his jaw clenched tight. "Kara, I don't have time for this," he said, his voice cold, each word laced with barely concealed anger.
Kara laughed, a low, throaty sound that sent a chill down Maya's spine. "Time for what, Alex? To pretend like you don't still want me? You're not fooling anyone."
Maya's stomach twisted. She wanted to confront Kara, tell her to leave, but the venom in the other woman's gaze made her hesitate. Was Alex really done with her? Or was this some kind of game she hadn't been told about?
"I don't want you," Alex replied sharply, his back to Maya as if shielding her from the confrontation. "You need to leave. Now."
Kara's smirk faltered, but she didn't back down. Instead, she flicked her hair over her shoulder and took a slow, deliberate step toward Maya. "I'm just trying to save you the trouble, sweetheart," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "He's not the man you think he is. He's a player, always has been."
Maya's breath hitched, the words striking like a slap. She couldn't deny the doubt creeping into her mind, the little voice whispering that maybe she was just another game to Alex. But she quickly pushed it down, refusing to let Kara's taunts get under her skin.
"I think you should go," Maya said, her voice stronger than she felt. "You've made your point."
Kara's eyes narrowed, but she took one last lingering look at Alex before turning on her heel and walking away, her footsteps echoing down the hallway.
Alex stood frozen for a moment, his fists clenched at his sides. When he finally turned to face Maya, his expression was filled with regret. "I'm sorry. I didn't want you to see that."
Maya's pulse raced, but she crossed her arms, trying to hold her ground. "You said she was gone. That there was nothing between you two."
"There isn't," Alex said quickly, but the defensiveness in his voice made her uneasy. "I swear. She's just… she's trying to get inside your head. To mess with you."
Maya didn't respond immediately. She was too busy trying to process everything she'd just seen. She'd walked into a situation she hadn't expected, and now she wasn't sure what to believe. The chemistry between her and Alex was undeniable, but Kara's words stung. Was she just another conquest?
"Maya, please," Alex said, his voice softer now. "You have to trust me."
She met his gaze, her heart thumping erratically. She wanted to trust him. Desperately. But every moment with him felt like a risk, a leap into something unknown.
"You want me to trust you, but I can't ignore what just happened," she replied, her voice steady, though her insides were anything but.
Alex stepped closer, his hand reaching for hers. "I understand. But I need you to know this: with you, it's real. It's not some game. It never was."
Maya looked down at their hands, his warmth seeping into her skin. She wanted to believe him, more than anything. But Kara's warning echoed in her mind. Was she walking into something dangerous?
Before she could speak, Alex cupped her face in his hands, lifting her gaze to his. "I'm not perfect, Maya. But I'm not like him. I'm not like the others."
The sincerity in his eyes made her chest tighten. He was right about one thing—there was no denying the connection they shared. She felt it deep in her bones. But trust, once broken, was a fragile thing.
Maya opened her mouth to respond, but Alex's lips were suddenly on hers, silencing her doubts with a kiss that was all heat and urgency. His hands tangled in her hair, pulling her closer as his mouth took hers with a hunger she hadn't expected. The kiss was raw, intense, a storm of emotions that left her breathless.
When they finally pulled away, Maya's heart was racing, her mind spinning. She couldn't deny the way her body responded to him, the way her skin buzzed with need. But she also couldn't ignore the nagging feeling that something wasn't right.
"Maya…" Alex's voice was hushed, his eyes dark with desire. "I don't want anyone else. Just you."
She searched his face for any hint of insincerity, but all she found was honesty. His lips brushed against hers again, gentle this time, coaxing her into a kiss that held all the promises of what could be.
But as their bodies pressed together, the faintest flicker of movement caught her eye—a shadow slipping through the hallway. It was brief, barely noticeable, but it was enough to make her heart skip a beat.
Someone was watching them.
The moment shattered, and Maya pulled away from Alex, her gaze darting to the hallway.
"Did you see that?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Alex turned, his expression hardening as he scanned the hallway. "What?"
"There was someone… watching us."
Alex's eyes narrowed, his protective instinct flaring. "Stay here," he said, his voice low. "I'll check it out."
But before he could leave, Maya stepped forward, grabbing his arm. "No. I'll go with you."
This was no longer just about a kiss. This was something deeper, darker, and far more dangerous than she'd ever anticipated. And she wasn't about to face it alone.