The Billionaire's Dilemma

The air between them grew heavy, the space shrinking until there was nothing left but the heat of their shared tension. Emily's heart pounded as Julian's lips brushed against hers soft, tentative, but charged with the weight of everything left unsaid.

For a fleeting second, she thought about pulling away reminding herself of the investigation, the risks but when his hand cupped her cheek, all logic melted. She leaned into him, and the kiss deepened, sending a rush of warmth through her veins.

When they finally broke apart, both breathless, Julian's gaze burned into hers. "I shouldn't have done that," he murmured, though there was no trace of regret in his voice.

Emily swallowed hard, still reeling. "Then why did you?"

His fingers lingered against her skin. "Because I can't stop wanting you."

Her chest tightened. She had spent weeks convincing herself that this was just a story a way to expose the truth but now, everything felt tangled. And Julian Blackwood wasn't making it any easier.

"We can't do this," she said softly, though her heart screamed otherwise. "I'm supposed to be investigating you."

Julian's lips curled into a faint, bitter smile. "Are you still?"

The question cut deeper than it should have. Was she? The lines between her work and her feelings were blurring dangerously so.

"I'm not giving up on the truth," she said, her voice firm despite the tremble beneath it.

"I wouldn't want you to." His tone softened. "But I'm not going to pretend I don't want you either."

Emily took a shaky breath, stepping back to put space between them before she lost herself again. "If Marcus finds out…"

"I'll handle him," Julian said without hesitation.

His confidence should have reassured her but it only reminded her how much power he wielded. And if she wasn't careful, she would lose herself in it.

"I need to think," she murmured, grabbing her bag.

"Emily"

She hesitated at the door, her heart warring with her head. If she stayed, she knew there would be no turning back. But if she walked away, she risked losing more than just the story.

"I'll see you tomorrow," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper.

As the door closed behind her, Julian remained where he stood watching her leave knowing that whatever they had just crossed into, there was no going back.