hts outside filtered softly through the sheer curtains, casting a faint glow across the room. Her fingers trac

of meetings, deadlines, and negotiations. Yet none

n Bl

desperately to control. Desire, anger, confusion-all

mind. How his touch had sent a shock through her body. How h

s of avoidance, fa

the bedside table. A

he hotel bar.

t something deeper inside urged her to go. To

er clutch, and made her way to the ba

clink of glasses. Ethan sat at the far end, his eyes locked on her the moment

," he said as

the stool beside him. "You sai

flies when you're waitin

th unspoken words. Sophia stared at her ha

d finally. "Why chase me when I've

vering. "Because I don't beli

nk you know me better

tray lock of hair from her face. "Or

. For a moment, the world narrowed to just the two of

ss was tentative at first, then grew urgent, hungry. The years o

re they were wrapped in each other's arms. Clothes fell to

's hands mapped every curve, every secret place she had hidden from t

gainst her skin, his

her wanted to say yes. To abandon

ought clari

she slipped away again, leaving a note

ready.

t inside Sophia's heart, a