ble storm. Every sentence eating at her head, Dalton's words had been l

whirl; now, Dalton's enigmatic warning hung heavily on her chest. From the time she entered Alex's universe, she un

li

e more, he had the expression that made everything else melt into the background. But this time, there was so

anxiety she couldn't control. "I n

ntly clicked the do

er heart was pounding, she made herself look at him. His w

ed. You don't have to pay attention to Dalton. He's only at

ticipated by her. She had hoped, no, believed, he would provide her with an ex

ired, attempting to control her voic

se. This has nothing to do with Dalton. I

king like a whip. You don't get to ask me about this, M

t punch. She witnessed him los

ere, his face tough and unreadable, his chest rising and falling with every breath. Melissa

hroat. What does this imply for m

forward. You are required in this. You are now

ed her eyes.

e enquired, her voice

rob me of everything. But I will not let him. I

already caught in the storm, but now it appeared as though she

re no longer merely my assistant." You will assist me

ened, and she understood, with a terrible sensation, that she wasn

her chest. Wha

Alex's lips twisted into a tight

as Melissa's head spun. What

e choice, Melissa had agreed to collaborate with Alex. Sitting in her office,

ist him, but what did that actually entail? She was not ready to plunge into the realm of corporate conf

Looking up, she found Alex in the doorway, his f

It was the same intensity she had experienced since meeting him, one that made her feel

tain whether she was prepare

id not sit. Instead, he approached her, and for a time all she could do was

. This is not only business for me; I nee

tween them shrinking, and swallowed hard. "Perso

everything shifted. Unannounced, he gently

everything else. She could not concentrate on the game she was now a pa

emember why you're here, Melissa

r heart pounded and she understood she wa

was the clear tension between her and Alex. Though the music wa

interior scene seemed light years away. Alex's presence had a strong, searing pull that her mi

lex's words jolted her before she could turn. I d

presence was overpowering, his eyes dark and impenetrable, and he was stan

red, attempting to keep calm e

hing. For a brief while, his gaze fell to her lips before coming back

cessive. Excessively risky. But his presence

ice wavered as she struggl

sent a rush of warmth running through her.

dread. Could this be actually occurring? Was she rea

moved closer. Melissa, we're already

nd fading into nothing. Inside, there was only the two of them. The room was softly lit,

ounding in her chest. The tension between them had chang

His gaze stayed on her as he rested on the desk. I am waging a two-front

nd his remarks. This is not what I sig

uld have been a smile. Melissa, you are considerably more than that. From t

She was in the midst of something far more hazardous, som

whether I can do this." The dread in her chest ate

ing. You no longer have a decision. Yo

nderstood with astonishment that she had just

it with a strong hold. Melissa, you'

wn was fading; in its place came this. Dark, complicated,

the core of