Scarlett's heart hammered as she followed Jackson to the old boathouse by the lake. The air smelled of water and pine, but her senses were consumed by him—his proximity, the heat of his body, the dangerous promise in his green eyes. She wanted to run, to resist, but every nerve screamed that she couldn't.
"You're… really here," she whispered, voice trembling.
Jackson smirked, stepping closer. "I told you," he murmured, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face, "I won't let anyone keep me away from you."
Her pulse raced. Heat pooled low, and her knees threatened to buckle. "Jackson… we shouldn't—"
He silenced her with a finger to her lips, eyes dark, smoldering. "Scarlett, listen. Everything else doesn't matter. Not now. Not here."
She swallowed hard, body betraying her with every shiver. Her breath hitched as he leaned in, brushing his lips against hers in a kiss that was slow, teasing, and demanding all at once. She moaned softly, melting against him, every inch of her aching for more.
"Scarlett…" he whispered between kisses, "you're driving me insane."
"I…" she stammered, trembling. "I want… I want you too…"
Jackson's hands slid down her sides, gentle yet possessive. Every touch set her skin alight. Her fingers tangled in his hair as desire surged between them, hot and consuming.
Just as their lips met again, a sharp sound cut through the boathouse—the wooden door creaked. Scarlett jumped, heart in her throat.
Madison.
The ex rival's silhouette blocked the doorway, eyes glinting with mischief. "Well, isn't this… convenient," she purred.
Jackson's jaw tightened, green eyes flashing dangerously. He stepped in front of Scarlett. "Stay out of this, Madison," he growled.
Madison smirked, stepping closer. "Or what? You'll stop me?" She held up a small, folded note. Scarlett's stomach dropped—the note was another page from her journal, filled with confessions Jackson hadn't even seen yet.
Scarlett's cheeks burned crimson, body trembling. Every secret, every fantasy, exposed again. Desire, embarrassment, and fear collided in a storm inside her.
Jackson grabbed her hand firmly, holding it against his chest. "Scarlett, look at me. No one touches you like this. Not her. Not anyone."
Heat surged as Scarlett met his gaze. Possession, desire, and protection radiated off him. Her breath caught as she realized the danger made everything between them even more irresistible.
Madison laughed softly. "Oh, I'm just getting started." She tossed the folded page toward them. Scarlett dove forward instinctively, knocking it into the floorboards. Jackson's hands gripped her waist, pulling her close. "Stay behind me," he warned, eyes flashing.
Scarlett's pulse raced, heat pooling low. Her body quivered against his, every nerve alive. Desire warred with fear, and the thrill of forbidden touch was almost unbearable.
"Jackson…" she whispered, voice trembling. "I… I can't—"
"You can," he said firmly, brushing a finger along her jaw. "And you will. You want this as much as I do."
Before she could respond, Madison stepped closer again. "You two are pathetic," she said, voice low and dangerous. "All this secrecy, all this pretending… for what? Don't think I won't expose everything."
Jackson's green eyes darkened, body radiating tension and danger. "No one touches her," he growled. He grabbed Madison's wrist, spinning her lightly. "Stay away. Or you'll regret it."
Madison smirked, letting go. "This isn't over. Scarlett, be careful who you trust." Then she left, her laughter echoing into the night.
Scarlett's knees threatened to buckle. Jackson wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. "You're safe with me," he murmured, lips brushing her temple. "I'll never let anyone hurt you. Ever."
Her body pressed against his, trembling with lingering desire. "Jackson… everything… it's… too much," she whispered.
"Good," he said softly. "Then let me handle it. You don't have to fight anything. Just feel me… feel this."
Scarlett's head spun as he leaned in, brushing her lips with his again. Every kiss, every touch, every whispered word drove her to the edge. The danger, the heat, the stolen moments—they made her ache for him in ways she hadn't imagined.
Her breath caught as he pulled back slightly, eyes dark and intense. "Scarlett, one step closer, one word, one touch… I won't stop until you give yourself to me."
Her body shivered, heat pooling low, pulse racing. "Jackson… I…"
He silenced her with a finger to her lips. "Not yet," he whispered. "But soon… very soon."
As they stood together, chest pressed to chest, heartbeats syncing, Scarlett realized the truth: nothing would ever be the same again. Secrets, desire, and danger intertwined, and she was powerless to resist him.