aged animal, her heels clicking against the ha

a ghost. A fantasy.

itch under her skin she couldn't reach. Everywhere she turned, he was t

egic avoidance. She only communicated through email, copied her assistant o

ed to infiltrate her perfec

s to her team with a note: "Fuel for your geniu

SVP'd to weeks earlier, showing up in a black suit and that maddening sm

coming un

was no d

of her gown. The gala was a key event for her firm-sponsors, potential clients, high soci

h the man who ha

was on the guest list. A key sponsor. His co

, pushing every erratic thought down, loc

" she whisper

Carter. You don

-

he soft clinking of champagne flutes. She greeted familiar faces, smiled when requir

she f

ht of hi

scanning the crow

ha

t enough to suggest mischief. He didn't approach immedi

ck to her conversation,

odded politely at a marketing director's story about

came the familiar voi

s this you keeping

aking an ob

m across the room

But I prefe

eyes narrowing. "Why

ow a whisper meant only for her. "

inked. "E

o do with me, but I see the way you look at me. You

's business," she sn

xtended a hand, his tone light agai

heart raced. She hated how her pulse betrayed her-how

added smoothly. "I

ass, she slipped her hand int

er into his arms, she

alm pressed against the small of her back, guidi

't speak

ilence said

artbeat synced with the gentle sway of the music.

y, he

run when thi

u don't know any

left witho

s one

t, here

nderstand it either. Why he got under her skin. Why she couldn't forget

her back, closer than before.

ven as her fingers tig

ed softly

nded, but n

een them was a w

rushed her cheek, thumb grazing the c

ack. "This wa

keep saying that. But

ce floor without another word, heart hammering,

-

here was a knock at

fr

ew it

placed her hand on the ha

red into the silenc

his voice, muf

long as it t

forehead pressed to the door,

the scar

her wanted