painting the city

cross her tense features. Brenden hadn't sent a single update about c

exactly was he waiting for? Did he want t

gled, reckless affair,

k away, but anxie

y to have been accepted as an intern. Angering Brenden, her

cycling through half-remembered fragment

to steady herself, even willi

all, her entire future at Apex Gr

his arms last night-drunk and reckless. Even if s

nto numb resignation. At last, sharp footsteps echoed down the p

at this hour?" Brenden's breezy voice sliced through t

composure into her voice. "Mr.

queried, "You were ac

idn't alre

vil response, but Brenden cut her off, his tone sudde

ays appeared so sweet and delicate-every bit the gentle beauty-but in reality, sh

me after the retreat? What was she s

abriela snapped, clenching her jaw before

employees well, but what if she'd j

rom the hallway. Gabriela turned and found herself face-to-face with

h the overhead lights-a living, breathing work of art. No amount of cocky

ng there, Wesley somehow raised the bar

y amused by how completely Gabr

unmatched charm. Even Gabriela-the company's most

snapped Gabriela

idden obsession. And there she was, shamelessly gawking at

centrate-getting her things fr

back to Brenden. "Mr. Sa

t, Wesley's voice sliced through the

ly knew better than to argue. He shot Wesley a stif

ith Wesley, nerves thrumming so loud she could b

ol stare made her wonder if he'd picked

ed. When he saw it was his girlfriend calling, he shot Wesley

ion. He slid into the car, sh

ly exhaled, relief flooding throug

so intense, she bare

dow slid down. His eyes, dark and appraising

riela replied, "Oh, I'll ju

eased Wesley's f

anywhere was unthinkable. She quickly shook her head, hands raised

briela's spine. She barely breathed as she eased open the car door, moving straight for

through the quiet, cool and razor-sharp. "Do

her heart lurch. Flustered, Gabriela quickly abandoned the back seat and

esley's face stayed icy, his jaw clenched

d her knuckles turned pale; her

y, Gabriela realized he was just plain diff

ght then: from now on,

might say something, but after a moment's hesit

he car, that look of cold disda

ned with frustration an

e'd never asked him for a ride, so

n flared up-because just then, she spotted h