She turned, one last glance to see if Emma had noticed her absence-and slammed into something solid. Heat. Muscle. A heartbeat that wasn't hers. Her breath snagged. Strong hands caught her waist before gravity could claim her. Rougher than expected. Certain in their possession. Sandalwood. Something darker, earthier, curling around her like danger. Her eyes lifted. Steel-gray. Ethan Blackwood. Cold, precise, yet flecks of silver sparked like lightning. One rebellious strand of black hair fell against his temple, defying the order he demanded of everything. Their breaths mingled. Too close. Too charged. "I-I'm sorry..." Scarlett stammered. "Watch your way," he murmured, velvet dragged across steel. His grip lingered just long enough to brand her skin. "How did you get in here?" he asked, voice slicing through the haze. "I-I have an invitation." Her chin lifted. His gaze flicked-mouth, eyes, mouth-before returning to hers. "From where-the recycling bin?" Scarlett laughed sharp, incredulous. "Oh, I see. That's how you got in." A flicker of something-surprise? Admiration?-crossed him, gone as fast as it came. "No one speaks to me like that." "Maybe that's the problem," she countered, stepping closer. "Everything has a first time." He leaned in, dangerously close, voice dropping. "Careful." "Better you be the one," she whispered, daring, fire sparking between them. ** Scarlett: strong-willed, fiery, witty Ethan: commanding, controlled, yet hinting at hidden cracks When Scarlett Landon signs a contract that binds her to the cold, controlling billionaire Ethan Blackwood, she thinks it's just business. But behind the ruthless CEO mask lies a man battling his own demons-and soon, their fake marriage turns into something dangerously real. Two hearts. One contract. A thousand tangled emotions.