A Lie Between Us
692 Words
Emma’s heart was pounding, but she refused to let it show.
Adrian stood too close, his presence overwhelming, his gaze locked onto hers like he could see straight through her. And maybe he could. That was the problem.
“Say you don’t feel anything when I look at you,” he murmured.
She knew she had two choices: tell the truth and risk everything—or lie.
And Emma Carter was nothing if not a survivor.
She squared her shoulders, forcing her expression into one of practiced indifference. “It doesn’t matter what I feel, Adrian. I have a boyfriend.”
The words tasted foreign on her tongue, but she kept her face unreadable, daring him to challenge her.
For a second, Adrian didn’t move. He just stared at her, his jaw tightening, his eyes darkening in a way that sent a shiver down her spine.
Then he let out a soft, humorless laugh. “A boyfriend.”
She nodded, folding her arms. “That’s right.”
He leaned back against his desk, watching her with something unreadable in his gaze. “Funny. You’ve never mentioned him before.”
Emma forced a shrug. “I don’t bring my personal life into work.”
Adrian studied her, his sharp gaze flicking over her face like he was searching for a c***k in the lie. She kept her expression steady, even as her pulse thundered in her ears.
“And what’s his name?” he asked, his voice deceptively calm.
Shit.
“Uh…” Emma scrambled for a name. “Jake.”
His lips twitched, but not in amusement. “Jake.”
She nodded again. “Yes. We’ve been together for a while.”
Adrian exhaled slowly, his fingers tapping against the desk. “So, this… thing between us?” His voice dropped lower. “Just my imagination?”
Emma swallowed hard. “Yes.”
Silence.
Then, to her utter horror, Adrian smirked.
“You’re lying.”
Her breath hitched. “I am not.”
“Oh, you are,” he said smoothly, taking a step toward her. “I know when you’re lying, Carter. Your voice gets tighter, you blink too much, and…” He tilted his head slightly, his smirk deepening. “You don’t look me in the eye when you say it.”
Emma clenched her fists, forcing herself to meet his gaze. “Believe whatever you want, Adrian. It doesn’t change the fact that I’m with someone.”
He let out a soft chuckle. “Then why do you look like you’re trying to convince yourself?”
Her throat went dry. “This conversation is over.”
She turned on her heel, marching toward the door. But before she could reach it, Adrian’s voice stopped her cold.
“Does he know you’ve never been touched?”
Emma’s breath caught. A chill ran down her spine, followed by a heat she hated herself for feeling.
Slowly, she turned back around. “Excuse me?”
Adrian’s expression was unreadable now—part smug, part something deeper, something that made her stomach twist. “I pay attention, Carter. More than you think. And I don’t believe for a second that this supposed boyfriend of yours has ever laid a hand on you.”
Her nails dug into her palms. “You’re delusional.”
He took another step forward, his eyes never leaving hers. “Am I?”
She hated how her body reacted to him—hated how her skin felt hot, how her breath came too fast. Damn him.
“You’re my boss,” she snapped, needing to regain control. “And I have a life outside of this office. So whatever you think you know about me? You don’t.”
Adrian studied her for a long moment, then nodded slowly. “Alright.”
That was it. No more pushing, no more smirking. Just one simple word.
She should have felt relieved.
So why did she feel like she had just lost something?
Without another word, Emma walked out, her hands trembling.
She told herself she had won.
Then why did it feel like Adrian Blackwood had just declared war?
- Writer
