Scarlett could not sleep. Every time she closed her eyes, Jackson's green gaze haunted her, the memory of their reckless kiss on the beach replaying endlessly. Her body ached in ways she had not allowed herself to feel before—heat pooling low, pulse racing, mind screaming that she wanted him, needed him. She pulled her blanket tighter, trying to calm herself, but it was useless.
The next day at school, Jackson was different. He lingered a little too long in the hallways, touched her hand a little too casually, and whispered her name in tones that made her shiver. Every glance carried a weight, a promise, a danger she was not prepared for. Scarlett's friends noticed. Olivia smirked knowingly, nudging her. Ethan's eyes lingered too, smirking as if he knew exactly what was happening.
During her free period, Scarlett hid in the music room, trying to escape the tension. She should have been writing her journal, focusing on homework, anything—but the space smelled faintly of cedar and piano polish, and Jackson's presence had already been imprinted there from last week.
"Scarlett," a low, husky voice whispered behind her.
Her heart nearly stopped. He leaned against the doorway, dark hair falling into his eyes, a smirk that both infuriated and thrilled her. "you are avoiding me," he said, stepping closer, closing the space between them. His green eyes were magnetic, pulling her into a storm she did not want to escape.
"I… i am not avoiding you," she stammered, voice trembling as he brushed a stray strand of hair from her face. His fingers lingered, electric and deliberate.
"Don't lie," he murmured. "I can feel it. You want this… you want me."
Scarlett's chest heaved. Her lips parted. Desire flared hotter than ever. She wanted to deny him, fight it, run—but she was paralyzed by need. Her fingers shook as he stepped closer, heat rolling from his body into hers.
Then Jackson did something reckless. He leaned in, pressing his lips to her neck, soft but firm, sending shocks of desire up her spine. Scarlett gasped, gripping his arms, trying to push him away—but she could not. Every nerve in her body screamed for more, and she did not know if she wanted to stop.
Her thoughts tumbled: This is forbidden. Dangerous. Reckless… but I cannot fight him.
Before she could respond, the door slammed open. Madison Kane, Jackson's ex, stood there, arms crossed, smirking like she had been waiting for this exact moment.
"Well, well, Jackson," Madison said slowly, eyes flicking to Scarlett, "I see you have moved on… or maybe you have just been hiding something."
Scarlett froze. Jackson's hand slid down, brushing hers as if to protect her, but Madison did not flinch.
"You two have been… close," Madison continued, her voice low and dangerous. "More than friends, i had say. Too bad for you, Scarlett, I do not intend to let this slide."
Scarlett's stomach dropped. Desire, fear, and anger collided in a storm she could not control. Jackson's jaw tightened, green eyes flashing, as he stepped in front of her.
"You think you can manipulate this?" He hissed. "Stay out of it."
Madison smiled wickedly. "Oh, i am not manipulating. I am revealing what is already been hidden." She tossed a folded paper onto the floor—a diary page from Scarlett's journal, clearly stolen, exposing every secret thought, every desire Scarlett had tried to hide.
Scarlett's face went white. Her private confessions, every word of longing, every sexual thought about Jackson, were laid bare. Her chest heaved, body trembling from embarrassment, desire, and rage. Jackson's green eyes softened, but the raw intensity of need remained.
"Scarlett…" he whispered, stepping closer. "I… we can fix this. But I will not let anyone hurt you."
Her heart pounded. The risk, the danger, the intensity—it was intoxicating. And as Jackson leaned in again, lips grazing her ear, whispering promises she could barely understand, Scarlett realized something terrifying and thrilling: nothing would ever be private again—and she did not care.