My Forbidden Obsession With My Enemy

You would not dare

Eva

Emerson and I do not mix. Never have. Never will. Put us in the same room and something always goes wrong. I knew trouble was coming the second I walked in and saw him with his group.

High school ended years ago, but some things refuse to stay buried. We went to the same school. We hated each other then. We hate each other now. You would think miles of space between us would solve everything. But life keeps dragging us back together.

The office. The classroom. My own front door.

I have lost count of how many times this has happened. Emerson looking at me with that irritating grin, me boiling inside, wanting to smash my fist into his face and change the look I despise so much. Not that I have not attempted it before.

"Say that again?" I raise my eyebrows.

Emerson scoffs. "So you are dumb and clueless now, Carson?"

I hate it. The way my name sounds leaving his mouth. But more than that, I hate him.

"I do not have time for you tonight." I start to walk off.

He makes a sound, nodding slowly. "Too busy finding someone to sleep with?"

"Not that it concerns you."

"Did you get off on it, Carson?" He steps forward suddenly. I frown in confusion. Emerson laughs and moves closer. "Last night. The show. I noticed you standing there watching."

Last night. I step back automatically. His eyes catch the movement before locking onto mine again. That mocking smile stretches across his face.

"Were you hoping I enjoyed it?" I fire back.

"You know what I want, and that is not it, Carson. Does your father know? That his daughter loved watching his enemy's son f**k?"

"I think you are obsessed with my dad, Ford." I fold my arms. I ignore the way his eyes drop to my chest before returning to my face.

He shrugs. "We both know that is not true."

"Like I said. f**k off." That is all I give him before turning away. But he never lets me leave.

"What are you doing here anyway? Your father would never allow it. He keeps his little girl locked up." Those words burn. He knows it. That is why he uses them every chance he gets. "Matt would never let his pet come somewhere like this."

I spin around and deliver the blow that will hurt him twice as much.

"At least my father cares about me. Unlike yours, who sees you as nothing but a disappointment."

Now it is my turn to smile. I watch his expression crumble. His hands clench into fists. The mockery in his eyes transforms into pure rage, and I drink it in like someone starving.

This is our pattern. We throw each other's wounds back and forth until the anger between us becomes something uncontrollable. Something wicked that neither of us can contain. This desperate need to cause pain.

"Stay out of my way, Emerson." I leave him standing there, destroyed.

******

"Holy s**t, girl! You look furious." Aliya shouts over the loud music as I drop into the seat beside her and drain my glass.

"Emerson happened."

She sighs. "You two ran into each other again?"

"He showed up while I was in the middle of getting f****d. I swear, that man makes me want to lose my mind."

Aliya laughs and squeezes my shoulder. "I know, babe. You tell me that every time. But there is more, is not there?"

I meet her eyes and my anger softens. "He called me daddy's girl. You know how much I hate that."

She nods, rubbing my arm gently. "Well, judging by the way he is staring at you right now, you are not the only one who walked away angry."

I glance behind me. Emerson stands across the room, drink in hand, a woman draped across his lap. His eyes remain fixed on me.

"I can feel the tension from here, Evie. Calm down." Her voice is low.

I nod and break the stare. Then I stand.

"Where are you going?"

"To make sure Emerson Ford does not ruin my night. Not this time."

She grins widely. "That is what I like to hear! Go get him! Damn, I am so proud of you."

I roll my eyes and move toward the dance floor.

That bastard has wrecked enough of my evenings.

Aliya gives me a thumbs up from her seat. I look back at Emerson again. His eyes stay on me as I move my body to the music. Mine stay on him as he grabs the woman's hair and pulls her down. His remain locked on me as strange arms circle my waist and I sway with the beat.

My eyes never leave his as the woman starts grinding on him. His never leave mine as the stranger pulls me forward and kisses me.

Through it all, the hatred between us burns bright in both our gazes.

******

I knock softly on the door and turn the handle when I hear Matt's voice.

The door clicks shut behind me. I walk toward my father's desk and set the bag in front of him.

"Mom said you needed this." I tell him.

He looks up from his computer and offers a warm smile. "Yes, princess. Thank you for bringing it."

"You are welcome." I pause. "Will you be home late tonight?"

Dad lifts his head and gives a small nod. "Eat without me. But I will be back before you know it, alright?"

I smile and nod. "I should go."

"Be careful." He says.

I hum in response and step out, heading for the elevator. I stop outside Mason Ford's office. The door stands open. That makes me wonder if they are arguing again.

Funny how my father and his biggest enemy work in the same building. Dad owns the larger share. Mason spends every waking moment trying to push him out.

A loud crash from inside the office makes me jump. I hurry toward the elevator.

My phone buzzes in my pocket.

ALIYA: Red or Green, b***h?

I type back as the elevator doors slide open.

ME: You are not changing your hair again, Aliya!

I sigh and put my phone away, nearly jumping out of my skin when I realize Emerson Ford stands right beside me. He looks livid. Jaw locked. Staring straight forward.

The fact that he has not spoken yet says everything. Emerson never misses an opportunity to provoke me. I should leave him alone. He is clearly already on edge.

But I cannot resist.

"Unusually quiet tonight." I raise my eyebrows.

He glances at me, then looks away again.

"Daddy issues getting to you?" I smirk, crossing my arms.

"Trust me, Carson. You do not want to push me right now." His voice is cold. Rage drips from every word.

I should stop. But I never stop when it comes to Emerson Ford.

"Or what? What are you going to do?"

"Do not test me, Carson!" He snaps, turning his body toward me. I pout dramatically.

"That is funny. I thought you loved when I test you."

He opens his mouth, then closes it, turning away again.

"Being a coward now?"

"Shut your mouth, Carson."

"Your insults are getting weak, Ford. Daddy issues frying your brain?"

"I swear to God, Carson. If you do not shut that reckless mouth, I will pin you against this elevator and show you exactly how to keep it closed." His voice drops to something dangerous.

Words I did not expect. Words that wipe every insult from my mind. Words that leave me silent with heat spreading through my stomach where it has no business being.

"You would not dare." My voice comes out shaky. My heart pounds in my ears.

Emerson laughs low and steps into my space. I can feel every harsh breath he takes. I know better than to challenge him when we are trapped in an elevator together. But I am too far gone to care about the consequences.

"That was the wrong thing to say, Carson." His voice is barely audible. "Because I have always loved a good dare."

He turns and hits the emergency stop button. Everything happens so fast. I do not have time to draw another breath before his lips crash against mine.