Pache

ice. The heavy frosted glass door clicked shut

d scotch, and slid one across her mahogany desk to me. "Brilliant exec

e, I thought you were going to fire me for causing

dead weight is a service to this department," Vane

l, and critically examined my face. "Though, looking at you right now...

white button-down, baggy black trousers, and

mutt turned you into a doormat," Vanessa sai

g? To g

said, grabbing her designer handbag and

to a halt in front of Maison de Lune, the most

t the head stylist. "Strip away the corporate drab. I want her looking li

as washed, cut, colored, and

e full-length mirror, I barely reco

ves. A form-fitting, deep wine-red velvet slip dress clung perfectl

d my amber irises, giving my g

me with a proud grin, "is a female who bel

king at my reflection with a stran

" Vanessa ans

metropolitan province-an exclusive playground reserved st

eyway beneath a steel bridge. Two massive Gamma-tier bo

P badge, and the guard

the intoxicating rush of hundreds of overlappin

iolet lights swept over the crowded dance floor, where well-dre

" Vanessa shouted over the music, handing me a vibrant

s, letting the heavy bass vibrate through my chest. For the first time

ng here all alo

ide me, accompanied by a sharp, sligh

ilk shirt was leaning on the counter, his dark eyes sca

end," I said coolly, s

p closer. "I'm Zane Sterling. An independent

plied, deliberately

ook a deep breath. "Your scent is fascinating... like

d. How could he detect my natura

udden, burning sensation erup

kable prickle of an intense, possessive pred

g lights, my gaze locking onto the massive, one-