BOUND BY DESIRE

whispered deals. Lana Daniels stood at the edge of the room, her hands clenched into fists so tight her nails bit into he

uch. They were wolves dressed in designer suits, and she was the lamb foolish enough to walk into their den. Her sleek black dress

he room, finally

as Ste

who hung on his every word. His presence dominated the space, a storm waiting to erupt. Tall, wit

o admire him. She was

nks for extensions, and watching her mother's health deteriorate under the weight of stress. The clinic had been her moth

t Nicholas Sterling

ire. It was bold, risky, and exactly the kind of move Nicholas was known for. But getting him to even

and stepped forward, her heels clicking against the ma

e air seemed to thicken. There was a flicker of curiosity in his eyes, but it was qui

dy despite the storm raging inside her. "

chuckled. "You've got guts, I'll giv

hout a word. His eyes never left Lana's face.

red for this. "Because I'm offeri

on his lips. "Is that so

her-bound folder. "A development proposal that will no

expressions. But Nicholas wasn't laughing. He studied her with a sha

ping dangerously. Lana had just enough time to register the motion before a

the humiliation burning hotter than the wine itself. Her confidence wavered

ing out to be quite the show. Are you sure you

ze head-on. "A spilled drink won't change the fact that what I'm offer

ing unreadable. He glanced at his w

e back of the hall. Lana hesitated for a split second, acutely aware of the murmurs beh

ll. The walls were lined with dark wood, the lighting dim and intimate. Nicholas gestur

," he said. "

just a real estate project. It's a legacy. A luxury development that integrates cutting-edge sustainable tech

ion gave nothing away. "Sustainability is a nice buzzwor

o say they're part of something bigger. This project isn't just about buildings-it's about creating a commu

lding. "You're passionate, I'll give you

h. I'll deliver a full market analysis, a preliminary design po

her breath, her heart pounding

the corner of his mouth. "You've got nerve, Miss Daniels

said quickly. "Trust the numbers.

most unbearable. Then, without a word, he reached for the f

don't expect me to go easy on you. If you're

didn't let it show. "I wou

lse. This wasn't just about the contract anymore. This was about him-hi

e if she was ready