Scarlett's phone buzzed incessantly, but she could not bring herself to check it. Her thoughts were tangled in Jackson, the memory of his lips grazing her, the dangerous heat of his touch lingering on every nerve. Her heart thumped violently, chest tight, hands trembling slightly. I cannot… I should not… but I want him. Every rational thought screamed at her to stay away, but every fiber of her body burned for the reckless, intoxicating pull between them.
By the time school started, Scarlett was a mess of nerves and anticipation. Every glance from Jackson made her pulse spike. His smirk was teasing, almost predatory, and the way he leaned against his locker—effortless, confident, dangerous—made her knees weak.
Olivia, noticing her distraction, leaned over during homeroom. "you are practically melting over him. Did you not sleep?"
Scarlett flushed, fidgeting. "I… did not."
"Uh-huh. That explains it," Olivia whispered, smirking. "Big green eyes and that unwise smile, huh?"
Scarlett rolled her eyes, but her attention immediately snapped to Jackson across the room. He caught her stare and held it, his green eyes dark and unreadable. Every instinct screamed both desire and caution.
Lunch was no relief. Ethan, always the instigator, sauntered past her table, whispering something too flirtatious for comfort. Scarlett felt her face flame as Jackson's gaze zeroed in on her. Heat pooled low in her stomach. His jaw tightened, a flicker of something unreadable—jealousy? Possessiveness? Desire?—flashing in his eyes. Scarlett's pulse raced; the cafeteria suddenly felt too small, too hot, too dangerous.
By her free period, she found herself retreating to the music room, desperate for solitude. The library had been too public, too exposed. But the music room… here she could breathe, at least until Jackson appeared.
He leaned casually against the doorway, green eyes scanning her face like he had memorized every contour. "Avoiding me again?" His voice was low, teasing, dangerous.
Scarlett's stomach twisted. "I… i am not avoiding you," she whispered, trying to steady her voice.
He took a slow step forward, closing the space until she could feel the warmth radiating from him. Every nerve in her body buzzed. "Don't lie to me," he murmured. "I can feel it. Every glance, every smile… I know what you want."
Her breath hitched. Desire, fear, and something darker pooled in her chest. She wanted to pull away, she knew she should, but she could not. Every inch he closed, every brush of his hand against hers, was a spark she couldn't ignore.
Jackson's fingers traced her jawline lightly, then drifted to the side of her neck. Scarlett gasped. Her knees nearly buckled as heat surged through her. "Jackson…" she stammered, voice trembling.
"Shh," he whispered, lips brushing her ear. "i have been wanting this… wanting you… for so long."
Her body betrayed her, arching toward him despite her brain screaming no. He leaned in, lips pressing to her neck in a kiss that was soft, firm, and shocking all immediately. Scarlett's fingers tangled in his hair as shivers rolled down her spine. Every nerve burned.
Before either of them could lose themselves completely, the door slammed open. Lila, Scarlett's younger sister, stood there, phone in hand, smirking. "Well, well… I see everything now!"
Scarlett jerked back, her face flaming, her heart hammering. Jackson's hand lingered near hers, protective but possessive, green eyes flicking between Scarlett and Lila.
"you are lucky I like you," he murmured, voice rough, intense. "I would kill anyone who embarrassed you like this."
Lila giggled. "Oh, this is going to get interesting."
Scarlett's mind spun. Everyone saw… everything. My thoughts, my desire… Panic and thrill collided in her chest. She wanted to disappear, but her body ached with longing, heat pooling low, heart racing.
Jackson's gaze softened, but the intensity of his need remained. "Scarlett…" he murmured, drawing her closer despite the interruption. "Forget them. Only me. Understand?"
Scarlett swallowed hard, her pulse racing, her heat surging. She nodded, though words failed her. Every muscle screamed, desire tangled with fear, excitement, and shame. She wanted him, wanted to submit to the pull, but the danger—the exposure—made it irresistible.
As Jackson leaned in again, lips brushing hers in a fleeting, teasing kiss, a shadow moved in the doorway. Madison Kane appeared, green-eyed and smiling wickedly. "Well, isn't this… convenient?"
Scarlett froze. Jackson tensed, protective but furious. Madison's eyes flicked to Scarlett's neck, to the heat on her cheeks, and then back to Jackson.
"i had hate for secrets to ruin this little… moment," Madison said, tossing something onto the floor—a torn page from Scarlett's journal. Every private thought, every desire she had tried to hide, was laid bare.
Scarlett's chest tightened. Heat, embarrassment, longing, and fear collided. Jackson picked up the page, scanning it quickly, jaw tightening, green eyes darkening. Scarlett's pulse thundered; her body screamed, wanting him, needing him, terrified of losing him.
"Scarlett…" Jackson whispered, voice low, intense. "we will get through this. I will not let anyone hurt you. Ever."
Her knees weakened. Heat, desire, fear, and exhilaration coiled inside her, a storm she could not escape. She realized something terrifying and thrilling: there was no turning back.
The bell rang, signaling the end of the free period, but nothing felt the same. Every glance from Jackson, every thought about Madison, every lingering touch left Scarlett desperate, burning, craving more. She knew one thing: the stakes were higher, the desire stronger, and the fire between them… unstoppable.