ght for a woman who

onal outfit-a modest, navy-blue pencil skirt and a c

of Blackwood Industries, feeling like a

g her resume until the paper crinkled. Get the sign-on bonus, fin

heat of those large hands on her waist. She could still t

r. Blackwood wi

ed, her throat dry, and followed the woman toward the top flo

were made of heavy, dark oak. The sec

obsidian, his back turned to her as he looked out at the skyline. He was wearing a char

he co

nt shiver down Elara's spine. Her knees turned to je

e trembling slightly. "I'm applying for the junior executive

ut your accounts,

chair swiv

eyes were cold, scanning her with a clinical intensity that made her feel naked. T

nd pulled out a small, wooden object. He placed it on the d

ped. It was her gr

his voice a dangerous purr.

her face. She opened her mouth

his chin on his interlaced fingers. A d

ng? To break into my suite, seduce me, and then show up here today playing

g with shame and anger. "I told you last night, it was a mist

circling her like a shark. He stopped behind her, leaning down so his l

didn't you stop me when I kissed you? You didn't taste like a woman

lashing with defiance. "I want my locket back. And

raightening up and looking down at

xactly wh

desk and tossed a th

e's convinced you're the 'secret lover' I've been hiding to avoid her arranged

ing at the folder.

iling. Her last wish is to see me married to a 'virtuous' girl. If I don't marry by the

e desk, his eyes

in private, you stay out of my way. In exchange, I will pay off your family

ted all at once. "You want me to... to

business partner,"

choice is yours. Go back to your farm and watch it burn... or s

t, then at the man who he

hispered, her face heating up.

returning. "Only when we have an audience, Elara. Unles

the office door bursts open. A glamorous woman in a red d

Who is this... peas