ND

ed. I was torn between talking to my father to hire anoth

looked the same, so handsome, or even looked more

It was foolish to feel something for someone who didn’t look at me the way I looked at him in the first place—w

maged

dinner with Magnus because I couldn’t get the thought

ght one and not good enough for me, but he was t

t I was still obsessed with the fact that one day, I would s

, I had a boyfriend, and Striker Cade was my driver and bodyguard. How would

t I couldn’t find in Magnus? Or in the other gu

that tho

d by him as I entered the lobby of the Vander

isitor’s ID temporarily w

m, ma’am.

est, he looked too good in it than the people working in this building. He could

evator. When it slid open, he allowed

here. You don’t ha

s my

e time, I swear to God, I’m g

He knew it was probably empty.

ls me London. Oh, o

ot

ed my

r your office. I have to familiarize th

ched. Vand

aight to m

?” Neke met me halfway,

e of those guys who saved my life. She didn’t have to know all the details

ish her words when she noticed me g

ess.” I dropped my

with the designers for t

nna visit th

can go after. That if you don

inst my chair. “I cancel

till busy since the new col

ciously. “Why ar

y person who never left me. She was also the first person I approached when I started this clothing line. I wanted to

ow somethi

o there,

to be hone

est with you. Y

ut

nd face and dark skin. She looked fantastic. “No buts. Anyway, do yo

, but she just giggled

ork instead. I grabbed my iPad and started sketching my new design.

ng in front of the designs

had setbacks since I chose to us

. We can make it possible,” my head of designs said. His

ivileged, spoiled brat kid, but I worked ha

hair and put the magazine down. I started scanning through the designs on the rack. I scrolled ov

ention. “I love these colors. So vibrant, live

e the sets of collections in the racks in awe. They were so colo

pplauded. “You guys are amazing.” I joined the

e with a smile

always, you impre

to stop to the voice of N

outfit?” it was

Ford runway show. You know we have free clothes here, suits th

ng paid to

ghed aga

Striker sounded amused, and he

clothes,”

party, I’ll make sure

I said

d,” he add

ow’s the meetin

oo

she said, but her eyes

nd

g you to lunch. I freed you

ce chatting with you, Neke.” He

on his heels, I calle

, ma

out harsh, making me inwardly cringe. I dro

liable, friend

in one meeting?” I a

ked me in the eye. My guess is she

that out on

ative and assertive, as if he meant to command. I wondered if he was bossy in bed. God, I

ide when everything fell apart. I can r

oo

swung open. Magnus entered with

went to him to ki

ea

eah, for l

e office, but Magnus had to k

Striker Cade. Cade, this

ker held his hand

arely looked

or me. If I didn’t introduce Neke as my best friend, he would have treated her like cr

enching. His mood changed. He wasn’t emb

nus offered. Striker walked past us to the

efore he joined and pun

I guessed I had to say yes. I had no more excuses.

ur

oo

ome Gnocchi.” I’d been fasting intermittently

, b

hand from

ave some salads. Then a red wi

rmittent. I can eat whateve

n any shape.” I gasped at

t do you know about

,” I wa

. “Where’s Reed? What i

s and sighed. “

just did. Isn’t he supposed to drive

tried his best to calm his tone, but his

He poked St

as I shut my eyes momentarily.

ller than Magnus, not beefy, but I could swear it was pure muscle.

rd to my boss, I will make su

Magnus took a step forward,

nus. “And why is that? The last time I checked, I have sworn to protect my clien

punched the elevator on. “Jeez, the testosterone lev