d convinced herself that Fr

pressing every thought that tried to resurface: the warmth of Aidan

d into it. She co

rld-there were rules.

simple: Don't fall for so

lled conference room, voices overlapping in hushed tones, fresh espresso scenting the air. Elar

red five mi

the room without a word. He nodded to the partners, greeted a f

ked down i

back, and upcoming negotiations. She took notes, asked one care

im. His gaze. T

she packed up her notes quickly

lar

froze her

lowly. "Yes,

the formality, but he recovered qui

jumped. "

on left, he closed

them, surrounded by glass, with the

e said, walking to the far end of the table. "Your cost-

," she said

y with their executive team. You'll l

t's... not usually a j

xac

"You're not here to be ordin

, firm, almost challenging

she said,

, gray eyes unr

lence stre

fter now. "Do you know why

ed. "Because I s

. That was memorable, y

ak. She wasn't

ontinued. "Most people do. They either retreat

sing in her cheeks. "I don't

does

he walls had closed in around their words. Ev

ack to my desk,"

tepping aside

ave, he spoke again, low eno

s a fine line between stand

o meet his gaze. "Are you

ething unreadable flickering in

to say to that-so sh

into the cold, humming rhythm of the office, one thou

n't just

s a co

idea who'd sur