ugh she had only been with the company for a few weeks. The room was cold, and there was a lot of excitement in the air. She could feel every eye in the room turn to her and then to him-Lucas Ste
He stared at her with his dee
that made her back tense. "Are you ready to
he nodded because h
orced herself to keep cool. Thi
at her and repeated, "No excuses."
going on beneath the surface, an unspoken connection, a pull that couldn't be ignored. Ayla couldn
swered, but her voice
d always look at her for a little too long. She couldn't help but think th
e felt a jolt of electricity go through her. Ayla ran out of the room, br
more Ayla worked with him, the harder it was for her to ignore how much they liked each other. At first, they only lo
lan. His dark eyes made her shiver, and Ayla felt her face get hot. She quickly
Miss Weathers," he said, his
ed for a second. W
p, Mr. Steve," she said, a
his eyes. Still, it made her heart race. "That's one w
heeks. "Sir, I'm more than ready for a challenge," she
every time she spoke. His words were caustic, which wasn't very professional. Th
e feeling that this was more than just a job relationship. She believed she was on the edge of something tha
n ways that made her feel like they were against her. He was watching her lose faith in her efforts. His way was different-much strict
lt like her heart had dropped. Someone else was going to finish the project she had worked so hard
nd angrier. As she strolled around the room, she m
e could even think. He didn't knock; he just wa
al voice, "I've made a decision about the proj
im, and her rage surged
nd squinting his eyes. "This is my busi
st get rid of everything we've done because you do
e' it? No, Miss Weathers. I need outcomes. You might think yo
sts tightly at her sides. "You c
ou'll understand when you see the whole thing." He halted at the doo
at it was. She shook her head to try to understand. Her heart raced, and she had a l
a room, it was like he was a force of nature that people had to respect without even trying. He was a strong presence. The sleek outfit and
project, she could feel his gaze on her. She had put a lot of work into the project, putting her heart and soul into
ight path for us?" He looked her in the ey
fine, Mr. Steve," she responded, her voice calm even th
"I know it is." But "fine" isn't always enough.
other. She wasn't sure if she wanted to take up his challenge.
yes narrowing a little. "But I
moved around awkwardly as they watched the fight without words. Lucas's
things had changed. She had a mark on
houghts kept drifting back to the meeting. She couldn't quit thinking about what Lucas
rcely looked up. His presence filled the modest room imme
or?" He uttered it in a quiet, casual manne
Of course." Based on the comments you gave me, I've already made some a
rpose. "Good. I enjoy
ced herself to look him in the
he was trying to find anything underneath her confident face. She felt a tremendous warmth rise in h
"I admire your determination, Ayla," he replied, which startled her. "Not ma
etting the surprise praise. She expected he w
although her voice was quiet
, she thought she saw something alter in his eyes, something personal and da
u do with the rest of this project." "Miss
there with her heart beating. Was it just respe
come out of and wonder what was really going on beh