r fingers cold against the tablet in her hand. Her reflection in the polished chrome reveal

icial day under Domi

ce that had passed between them. The man had a way of stripping her down with a look-not ph

g herself. The top floor was Dominic's domain, a place o

as the doors ope

a polite nod from behind his de

toward the dark glass doors of his inner office. Her

didn't look up immediately. The tension between them hadn't lessened si

out looking up. "You're five

u'd appreciat

was again-that piercing gaze that mad

eplied, gesturing for her to sit.

t enough to remind herself that she was still in control of her body

. A full analysis of our renewable energy portfolio. I want fl

t that i

rty-six hours. Sl

ere a luxury she had to earn-mad

"You'll work in the adjoining o

ule. Simple. Sub

n't reply. She wou

rn, spacious, and far too quiet. Dominic had made it

pped out to stretch, surprised to find Dominic not at hi

ssive screen, speaking with unusual passion to a board of partners. His tone was firm, calculated

levance," he said, his jaw tight. "I

hadn't expected to feel admiration. Not f

his gaze swept over her

ping, Miss

"Just passing by. Y

at his lips. "Careful. You migh

yo

ng her, but near enough that

Layla. Not all

her first name before. And now, it

hen Simon knocked, rem

d away, hea

just busin

sure it eve

ve: Lines

after felt

been more than just work. Her dreams had been full of him-his voice, his presence, the slow burn in h

that it ex

y at his desk. Of course, he was. The man didn't sleep

ly over her dark blouse and pencil skirt. His silence

ng," h

curl from her cheek. "I

ded him the files. His fingers brushed

the procurement chain," he said,

u'd appreciat

ed. "What I appreciate is unpredi

d faintly.

m of approval. "You're b

room searching for older investment reports. The spac

c appeared i

artled. "I did

his silhouette fram

not supp

ow. "Are you alwa

n it gets

nother st

ld her

e asked, voice low. "This..

mity that unsettles you. It's contro

oming under her skin.

But I in

ssing. Just... present. Dominant in a

hard. "And what

us. "Then I'll know you're

ed and left-leaving her heart

she met Ava at

aw a ghost," Ava sai

scanning the city lights. "Worse.

w lifted.

n. But not in the usual way. It's

dange

t violently.

ned. "Maybe he's the k

hat archive room, in that charged silence, wondering wha

it was no longer

er had