Two: A C

s and the bleak reality of her own financial struggles had kept her awake. She'd remained in bed for hours, staring up a

never

he glittering glass-walled building in the heart of the city

am I

t night hadn't been a product of her imagination. After her final shift, as

he same piercing blue eyes that

had commanded, his voice

rational cell of her be

business proposition for you. O

ent, she'd gott

nterprises. The company name was synonymous with the city. It represented money, power, and uncom

she stepp

colors, and designer attire. It made her acutely

to her, hardly looking at her outfit. "

ve office. The floor-to-ceiling windows gave her a glimpse of the city skyline, b

're

. "I wasn't

es raking over her like a hunter assessi

d of man expects other

chair on the other si

taking a seat on th

minded him, trying to remain calm with t

ching her in that unreadable way that m

ed. "I'm so

His voice was devoid of emotion, a

expecting him to crack a smile a

re se

er

-is insane. Why would you

expression not altering. "I have my reasons. My daug

tion of Lily but hardened as sh

nnies for tha

e with my daughter. And I'm not going to have a

explains why he was so

theless.

reason?" she as

rs have respect for stability. A man with

e down to power and cont

tably in her seat, her

ntrigu

nked, s

less warms up to them. And last night? She like

d the way Lily had clung to her, but

't mean she c

the one for this,"

ead to the side. "You'

eath c

al charges are adding up. You can't afford to tu

ated that he was right. Hated

her chin. "And wha

faintest smirk. "Five h

rly stopped w

ront. The other half aft

at was all

she'd be fin

he would no longer worry about eviction notices and sleeple

o good to

had to b

t from me...as your wi

"Public appearances. Dinner parties. Playin

pounded.

s only. No expectations aside from

swal

Made logic. A s

mple about marrying a ma

ed at her to ref

er mother. Of Lily's

d herself wh

darkened. "That's

to her full heigh

issed his lips. "Good. Yo

flipped over

No dragging your fe

ing on the bottom of the desk. She'd jus

to Alexander's eyes,

be enterin

sed to be sw