d said, opening his shopping bag. He pulled out a pristine b

went as wide

me wrapper. And he had

an have one," Edward added,

er excitement wavered. She stared at the

ake things from strangers," she murmured

an eyebrow. He

, as if weighing a momentous decision. She stood on her tiptoe

tly, taking the box of chocolate in her small h

was s

hed him like that. Without fear. Without an agen

know that a genuine smile-rare, but

l, was breaking ou

was i

murmured, glancing ne

is gaze lingering on Em

uppose we should say

tant, elegant posture. He took a few

nthusiastically. "Thanks for the c

t Saul saw the corners of his

e crowd. She decided the man wasn'

of triumph wa

's voice cracked like

knew that tone.

yes flashing with frustration. The moment she was clo

stay put? Why are yo

urts!" Emma protested wi

dropped my chocolate... I just wanted to pick it up," she lied,

new box of chocolates in her daughter's arms.

id you g

arting away as if the pavement were sudden

d I was cute... and

urmured, a chill ra

e crowd, but it was

d was

hter had crossed paths with the one man who would cha

age and frustration burning in her chest. To see her daughter accept something so easi

her hand to give her little

hands and looking up at Olivia with wide, teary, trembling eye

ivia shot back wi

fell open,

s too long! Don't y

d. "Keep complaining a

dn't dare protest further. Her small feet shuffled against the paveme

t for the res

overwhelming. Skyscrapers scraped the sky, massive electronic screens were pl

longer the one she

the neighbor on the third floor, a kind woman who agreed

nterview. One that cou

ful companies in the city, was

ldn't be easy, but she had no other choice. She needed a good job, on

ilding that rose like a tower into the clouds

ous, determined. She wasn't the only o

aimed, seeing the eleva

precariously on her heels. She managed to slip throu

or-Oh!" she stammered, su

wisted, and she fe

abbing the first thing they found: a soft, fine, almost silky

ed, falling squarel

looded her senses. Her cheek was pressed ag

. and found herself staring int

nd elegant, with features so perfect they seemed carved from m

chill run do

on none other

tive elevator?" a male voice demanded,

unsteady, her cheek

a hurry..." She tried to stand as she spoke

d, had another nas

man's suit jacket. She tried to pull back, but a sharp tug on her scalp stopped her. In her flustered

o!" she exclaimed, almost pant

silence. Then, a soft chuckle

e quickly covered their mouths as they felt th

he absurdity of the situation than the physical proximity. For someone as notorious

ith h

s eyes off her face, studying her

wkwardly to free herself, but every tug only tangled her hair

?" she pleaded, feeling more ridiculous by the second. She

ing in her voice. In her scent. In the

like an

ut intens

and slid his long, precise fingers toward her hair. With smoot

dered. His voice was low a

swallow

voi

e was so

art st

er like a ligh

from five

ad opened her eyes for just an instant. She couldn't s

oice that was now cutting

red, her voice a mere thr

no res

hair, straightened his suit, and

't stop herself f

s, pressed into a firm line, were perfect. His expression,

it b

quickly lowering her gaze an

ink about that night. Not

n she had just humiliated herself in