The elevator doors slid shut with a soft whisper, trapping Sophia Chen in a cage of polished steel and simmering tension. She pressed herself against the far wall, clutching the manila folder that contained either her salvation or her destruction-she wasn't sure which yet.
Across from her, taking up far too much space in the confined area, stood Alexander Blackwood. Six feet three inches of tailored perfection, with dark hair that looked like he'd run his fingers through it moments before, and eyes the color of storm clouds. The CEO of Blackwood Industries commanded attention even when he wasn't trying, and right now, those piercing gray eyes were fixed on her with an intensity that made her skin prickle.
"Ms. Chen." His voice was velvet over steel, cultured and cold. "I wasn't expecting to see you in my private elevator."
Sophia lifted her chin, meeting his gaze directly. Three years of working in the lower floors of his Manhattan tower had taught her that showing weakness to Alexander Blackwood was like bleeding in shark-infested waters. "Your security card opened it. I assumed it was a regular elevator."
A lie, and they both knew it. She'd specifically sought out this elevator after being denied access to his office for the third time this week. Sometimes desperate times called for desperate measures, and losing her brother's medical funding definitely qualified as desperate.
"Interesting." He stepped closer, and she caught the subtle scent of his cologne-something expensive and distinctly masculine that made her traitorous body respond despite her best efforts. "Because my private elevator requires a specific code in addition to the security card."
Heat flooded her cheeks. Busted. "I may have... observed the code."
"You may have spied on me." There was something almost amused in his tone, though his expression remained carefully neutral.
"I prefer 'strategically gathered information.'" She squared her shoulders, reminding herself why she was here. "I need five minutes of your time, Mr. Blackwood. Just five minutes."
"I don't take meetings in elevators, Ms. Chen."
"Then maybe you should stop avoiding me." The words slipped out before she could stop them, sharper than she'd intended.