said, so he decided to make her pay for it in the only

er, and far beyond her role. It wasn't about the work, it w

r and the smell of food filled the air, Ella's stomach growled

head toward the cafet

y offic

er blouse, straightened her sk

t even look up from his des

nts and emails I need y

clutching her

need to get some food," she said

, his gaze sh

've told you. It's a co

and exhaustion fighting to escape, but she swallowed it down. Sh

s pa

an her forearm, picked up business calls meant only for the CEO, scheduled

nt, a wall Ben built between himself and the str

e neve

haled deeply, steadied herself, and kept going

e began t

like wildfire th

uddenly trusting he

let anyone

doing more than

reeting her. Others snickered when she passed. The air aro

, and build a better life. Even if i

other hand,

her tired eyes, the way she pushed stray hair behi

posure, her drive, her quiet strength, stirred s

int tapping of keys and the hum of the air conditio

haustion weighed his eyes. Before long, he fell

off her heavy jacket and gently draped it over him. For a brief moment,

y, he murmu

lla

art st

at the dim light. His voice came lo

sted beyond what you can handle, and y

his gaze

" she said softly. " Everyone

htly, curiosity flicke

t's your

led, but her wo

etter life for myse

thick, unspoken, heavy with

yee, but as a person, a woman with fire in her

a man, tired, bruised by life

he air between them shif