The Space Between Us

Lingering Tension

Rebecca's Pov

The office was nearly deserted by the time I returned, the lights were dim, and the air held a stillness that only late hours could bring 

I had left earlier, intending to call it a night, but something an insistent pull drew me back I told myself it was work, unfinished tasks that needed my attention, but as I walked through the silent halls, I knew better, my thoughts had been consumed all day, not by my job, but by Emma

Emma, with her earnest eyes and determined focus, so different from the others so different from me I had watched her with Mia, the way they seemed to gravitate towards each other, and it had stirred something deep inside me something sharp and unwanted I'd seen the way Emma smiled at Mia, how her eyes lit up in her presence, and it had taken every ounce of self-control not to intervene, not to let my jealousy show

 A bitter taste lingered on my tongue as I remembered it, a reminder that I was losing control

I found her at her desk, the glow of her computer screen casting soft light on her face she looked tired, but determined, her fingers tapping away at the keyboard as she worked late into the night I paused at the door, watching her for a moment, taking in the way her brow furrowed in concentration she didn't notice me at first, too absorbed in her work, but then her gaze flicked up and met mine

The sudden tension in her eyes was palpable, and I knew she felt it too this inexplicable connection or game that tied us together

"Ms. Whitmore," she greeted me, her voice barely above a whisper, as if the quiet of the office demanded a softer tone, there was a wariness in her eyes that I had seen before, a hesitation that only added to my intrigue

Emma was different, she didn't fold easily, didn't respond to my usual tactics she challenged me in ways I hadn't expected, and that both excited and unnerved me

"Emma," I replied, my voice smooth, controlled I stepped further into the room, letting the door close softly behind me. The sound echoed in the silence, amplifying the tension between us. "Working late?"

"Just trying to finish up," she said, her eyes darting back to the screen, though I could see her pulse quicken in the slight movement of her throat, she was nervous, but she was trying to hide it. "There's still a lot to do."

I nodded, moving around her desk, letting my presence fill the space beside her she didn't move, didn't back away, but I could feel the way her body tensed, how her breathing hitched just slightly

There was something about being close to her that set my blood on fire, that made me want to push her, to see how far I could go before she snapped

"You spent a lot of time with Mia today," I observed, my tone casual, though I knew my words carried weight I wanted to see her reaction, to gauge how much Mia had gotten under her skin.

"She's new," Emma replied, her voice carefully neutral. "I was just helping her get settled."

"Of course," I murmured, my eyes never leaving her face there was something unreadable in her expression, something that made me want to dig deeper, to pull back the layers she kept hidden I could feel the tension building between us, a thick, heavy thing that made the air almost suffocating

I reached out then, unable to resist the temptation any longer my fingers brushed against her cheek, a light touch that made her flinch ever so slightly her skin was warm, soft under my fingertips, and the sensation sent a thrill through me this was dangerous territory, I knew that, but the pull was too strong, the need to push her too overwhelming

"You're different with her," I said, my voice barely above a whisper, my thumb traced the curve of her jaw, feeling the rapid beat of her pulse beneath the skin. "I've never seen you so... open."