My Karma

y looked up as she ushered Sophia to the elevator, cool professionalism veiling what must have been some surprise-people didn't simply get invited to

a rare assignment, one that could catapult her career or end it just as fast. "Lucas Grant is just another

t from the setting sun painted everything in hues of gold and orange, glinting off glass and steel. And there he was, leaning casu

n the world. There was something infuriatingly unhurried in his manner, something t

ng. His dark hair framed chiseled features, and his eyes-an intense shade of gray-seemed to pierce right through her. She'

ir opposite his desk. "I'm curious to see why your firm

ence isn't always a matter of age, Mr. Gra

uché. So, Miss Hale-Sophia, may I?-what exactly are you hoping to find h

the offshore accounts. We're simply... filling in the blanks." She kept her tone polite, almost dismissive, even as h

"Blanks. Interesting. I suppose

her breath catching just slightly. She quickly looked down at her notes, pushing down the strange

hung in the air, a challenge

ht laugh. "Then it'

ropping a notch. "Or is your job to decid

s seemed to know exactly how to get under her skin. "I'm here to do my job thoroughly and et

r. "Good. I like someone who isn't afraid to push boundaries

to counter him with the same ferocity, but she reminded herself to stay professional. "Yes, Mr.

derision. "Principles are just lines people draw in the sand,

ou, Mr. Grant, but I'm not here to argue philoso

ough reading her very soul. "And you think you know me," he murmured, almost to him

d sense that he was testing her, probing for any weakness he could exploit. But she'd wor

, "but I'm not the kind to be

eyes flared for just a moment. "I admi

he was drawn to him against her will. She quickly composed herself, letting her voice regain its crisp ed

ession. "I'm sure you will. But do me a favor, Sophia...don

cide what's better left buried. You

ered what he saw when he looked at her. But before she could let her mind wande

rm and warm. "Goodbye, Miss H

office. And as she stepped back into the elevator, Sophia could only think of one thing: Lucas Gran