iet chime on the top floor of Cross

t and holding a digital tablet in one hand and cof

itting the glass desk where Jace sa

ce said witho

coffee down exactly two inches from the edge just how Jac

glanced up. "

the tablet screen

h. You requested it be kept under twenty minutes. I've

oo

nance. Mr. Lang is expecting your

PM and remind me to push him on th

ard. They're focused on the cybersecurity division especially protecting users' personal data and

pe beyond the glass. The weight of responsi

ting with your new ass

slightly. "That's the

A, top of her class, a background in Business Administration, and a

ered, sipping his coffee. "At

will see. You're meeting her briefly in Confer

can flirt her way through assignments, shut it d

d calmly, unfazed. "But, she d

ain, curious now.

nd asked for directions instead of pretend

the edge of his cup. "We will see if sh

g begins in fifty minutes. Sh

o

oking up, "And Ethan, don't let HR hire anyone

." Ethan sa

elevator, heart hammering in her chest. She was running a little late, but it wasn't just nerves that had her

big company and had to ask a

s began to slide shu

he called out, breath

ated ,then slow

here

fr

other tucked loosely into his pocket. His broad shoulders looked too familiar. But it

o

uldn'

ture didn't shift, but his jaw tig

was

n from

that

d slipped from his lips like a prayer and a curse. That night had burned itself int

et. A week of pretending

w he w

Waiting.

, like he wanted to say

d. She tightened her

dn't be h

to

tor. This elevator was headed for t

s going t

hed. Her feet r

slightly. "I..I wil

ld respond, s

shut, quietly

alls. His mind spun as he ran a hand through his hair, the image of her face, t

." he muttered u

't fall apart. Not here. Not now. She'd worked t

d again as she approac

n she s

had happened. Like he hadn't kissed her senseless in a hotel

teasing. It was sharp. Cauti

ed away

y suit turned to her

," he said. "P

wallowing har

otioned t

be assisting him directly in t

t sank int

W

d toward

eyes l

icker of emotion passed across his face,

tended

ss Fletcher," he said

d. Firm. Warm. W

plied with a calmn

as a

bout this

nly, nothi