floor. Her pulse quickened, a mix of nerves and determination tightening her chest. S

. His intense gaze followed her every movement as if he could see right th

lvety, but carrying an edge of authority that mad

g her tone even, though she couldn't suppres

did, reluctantly, knowing this meeting would s

voice cut through the silence, his fingers steepled

cuss the terms of our working rel

at his lips. "You're p

ght, feeling the heat rising in her cheeks. She

etween them, and his presence filled the room. "We have a lot of work ahead of us. I

f, wondering wher

r boundaries. A working rela

d. "Boundaries? W

company, but there will be no personal entanglements.

he suggesting something more tha

sonal," she replied, her voice

hat's exactly why I'm making these boundaries clea

omething else there-something uns

to fists on the armrests. The meeting had barely

l be expected to meet deadlines, but I don't tolerate mis

ated, her mouth dry. "Wh

-measures, Miss Carter. I expect results. You'll be accountable for

place. Maybe it was the way his gaze lingered on her lips or the tension tha

?" she asked,

Failure isn't an option, Miss Carter. But... if it were, I

words. He wasn't just setting professional terms. He was drawing

he last. Ari tried to focus on the contracts and the plans Sebas

lders perfectly, his sharp jawline adding to the aura of control he exuded

ring to leave, he caught her eye one last time. "Don't forget

er heart was racing. She turned to leave, but a

for a moment, she was frozen in place. His

ftly. "The lines between work and... some

stepping into dangerous territory. And she di

ff the lingering sensation of Sebastian's touch. It had been only a brief m

g seemed to erase the memory of that small interaction. He was dangerous in a way sh

she collided with someone. Papers flew fr

tered, crouching

p voice cutting through the chaos. "No need

see Sebastian standing there, his gaze fi

dy picking up the papers, moving c

g her the last of the scattered sheets. "I jus

flushing. "I'm perfectly capa

"I have no doubt. But we'll see

ing nothing more than to walk away from the quiet

ressure. Ari kept her focus on the work, trying to ignore the

aluating, always calculating. And when he spoke to her, it was w

, it ha

ew it was unacceptable in Sebastian's eyes. The moment she walked into hi

ss Carter?" he asked, his voice smooth but ha

away. "Yes. There was an unexpected

presence looming. "I expect res

seemed to shrink. She could feel the tension

s," she said, her voice tig

slight smile. "Good. I like so

d the door and opened it. "I'll give you on

m left Ari standing alone in his office, the

to a close. Ari gathered her things, exhaus

. She needed to clear her head, but as she turned to leave the b

he doorframe of his office, his p

ill here," she said, her voice

out you," he replied wit

g his gaze. "I've got

't think you were the type to back down from a challenge. The r

at. "And what exactly ar

ng her arm. The light touch was electric, sending a surge of warmth through her body

s," he said softly. "Se

o react. All she knew was that every fiber of her being was telling

d," she whispered, her vo

nto something more dangerous. "You will," he sa

her, he stepped back, leaving her st

aid, his voice now colder. "I e

frozen for a moment, her pulse racing. The line between professional and personal was blurri

touch, everything from the night before lingered. She tried to focus on her work, but he

etween them, but when her phone buzzed, the name o

y a second before ans

me through, low and authoritative. "There's a gal

But she knew there was no turning down Sebastian, es

," she replied, her voice slight

You'll be there. And you'll wear

but he hung up before sh

to dictate her evening like that. Yet, despite her annoyance,

a mess of mixed emotions. The dress Sebastian had chosen for her was beautiful-black silk,

t she stepped inside, all eyes turned toward her. Sebastian stood by the entrance,

for her. Of c

l, satisfied smile. "You clean up well, Miss

eyes, but she wasn't surprised by his react

" she asked, keeping her voice steady

e mine for the evening. Play y

right? But the way he said them... the way he looked at her,

over with," she mutte

"Oh, I intend to mak

sitated for a moment, but then placed her hand on hi

tions. Ari felt out of place in the midst of the glittering guests, all

ing through the crowd with confidence. And every now and then, his eyes wo

ody filled the room, the atmosphere shifting

r, his eyes dark with

vy in the air. She had no intention of letting him pull her i

rmly and led her to the floor. She had no choice bu

over the situation. Ari's breath hitched as she felt the heat of his b

astian murmured, his vo

hot back, trying to keep

through her. "Good. Because there's nothing to be ner

fluttered. "Te

ove her ear as he leaned in slig

d moved lower on her back, pulling her even closer, if that was

ure. But Sebastian wasn't making it easy. He was pushing every boun

rled around them, and Sebastian's breath brushed against her skin,