The morning after her late-night encounter with Alex Kingston, Emma Carter walked into Carter & Associates with an unreadable expression and a mind sharper than ever. If Alex thought he could get under her skin, he was mistaken.
Or at least, that's what she kept telling herself.
Her assistant, Rachel, met her at the entrance, already holding a neatly stacked folder. "Your meeting with Kingston is at ten. Also, the investors from Sterling & Co. requested a revision to the financial projections—"
"Send the Sterling report to my office," Emma interrupted, scanning the documents Rachel handed her. "And get me coffee. Strong."
Rachel hesitated. "Uh… Mr. Kingston already had some delivered. It's on your desk."
Emma froze mid-step. "Excuse me?"
Rachel's lips twitched. "It's from a place called—"
"Benson's," Emma finished, already knowing the answer.
Of course.
The fact that Alex had taken it upon himself to order her coffee—her exact order, no less—only fueled the irritation she had been suppressing. He was playing games. Testing boundaries.
Fine.
If he wanted a war, he'd get one.
—
At 10:00 AM sharp, Emma stepped into the boardroom, her heels clicking against the polished floors. Alex was already there, leaning back in his chair with effortless arrogance, a steaming cup of coffee in front of him.
"Morning, Carter," he greeted smoothly, watching her as if anticipating her reaction.
Emma didn't even blink. She sat across from him, placed her folder on the table, and met his gaze with cool indifference. "If this is your attempt at flattery, it's a weak one."
Alex chuckled, lifting his cup. "You wound me. Can't a business partner offer a simple gesture of goodwill?"
Emma arched an eyebrow. "You don't do simple, Kingston."
He smirked, taking a slow sip. "And yet, you drank it."
She didn't give him the satisfaction of a reaction, though she had taken a sip the moment she reached her office. Begrudgingly.
Instead, she slid a report toward him. "Let's talk strategy."
Alex exhaled, setting his cup down. "Right to business. Alright, Feisty, impress me."
Emma ignored the nickname, flipping open the report. "The board expects a seamless merger, but they're underestimating the potential resistance from Sterling & Co. Their CEO, Richard Sterling, doesn't trust outside acquisitions."
Alex leaned forward slightly. "Then we convince him it's in his best interest."
Emma met his gaze. "And how do you propose we do that?"
A slow smirk curved on his lips. "Charm."
She exhaled. "So your grand plan is to flirt your way through negotiations?"
Alex shrugged. "Worked before."
Emma's jaw tightened. "That's not a strategy. It's arrogance."
He tilted his head, studying her. "And what's your strategy, Carter? Intimidation?"
She leaned forward, resting her arms on the table. "Leverage. We make Sterling & Co. believe that refusing this deal would be a bigger risk than accepting it."
Alex nodded, clearly intrigued. "Go on."
Emma pulled out another document. "Sterling's company is strong, but it's not invincible. They're struggling with internal restructuring. If we highlight how our acquisition strengthens them, while subtly reminding them of their weaknesses, we control the conversation."
Alex whistled lowly. "Damn."
Emma's expression didn't waver. "This isn't about winning a game, Kingston. It's about securing the deal."
He grinned. "Maybe. But you do enjoy the game, don't you?"
Her fingers curled slightly against the table. "Enjoying it isn't the same as playing it recklessly."
Alex studied her for a long moment before exhaling. "Alright, Carter. We'll play it your way."
Emma nodded, satisfied. "Good."
As she gathered her papers, Alex leaned back, watching her with that same unreadable expression. "You know," he mused, "I think I finally figured you out."
Emma paused, glancing at him. "Is that so?"
He nodded. "You don't just like winning. You need it."
She held his gaze, refusing to let him see the flicker of truth in his words. "And you don't?"
Alex smirked. "Oh, I do. But for me, winning is fun."
Emma exhaled, standing up. "That's the difference between us, Kingston. For you, this is a game. For me? It's survival."
She turned to leave, but before she reached the door, Alex's voice followed her.
"Maybe that's why you've never let yourself lose."
Emma hesitated for half a second before walking out without another word.
She wouldn't let him get to her.
Not now. Not ever.