A Deal with Desire

hoing in her mind. The project he mentioned would no doubt be grueling, maybe even impossible. But she'd f

n email from Blackwood Enterprises with the subject line: PROJECT TERMS:

r to develop a comprehensive rebranding strategy for a set of private properties he owned-luxury estates that he claimed were underperformin

ment included pictures of the property-lush, opulent, and breathtakingly remote. It

mporarily, sent a shiver down her spine. He was arrogant, calculatin

his time, it was a text f

Did the Evil Overlor

er fingers flyin

think I just signed a

onse came i

, does it count as

s no point dwelling on the 'hot' part. Damian Blackwood w

e was, agreeing

s of the Blackwood Estate. The property was even more imposing in person, it

ind her, and the driver rolled

breath cloudin

d is expectin

What was she walking into? And why couldn't she shake the feeling that Damian B

g more vivid details, emotions, and tension as Elena

arwood, and complete silence except for the hum of the engine. She gripped her bag tightly, he

the sprawling grounds, glistening under the weak winter sun. Tall, bare trees bordered the

e mansion, the driver stepped out and o

e façade, the intricate wrought-iron balconies, and the massive oak doors that looked like they could withstand

ung from the ceiling, casting fractured light over the marble floors. A grand staircase swept upward, its banister polish

a Car

rcase, his movements as deliberate and confident as ever. He wore a charcoal sweater and dark trous

hough his tone was more o

her shoulders. "T

ement. "Excuses won't help you here, Miss Cart

llways were lined with artwork that probably cost more than her entire apartment, and the faint sme

and what looked like architectural blueprints. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed a view of the snow-cover

profitable luxury retreat. Guests will pay for the exclusivity, the privacy, and the experi

ief before she could rein it in. "You're askin

s locking onto hers. "I'm telling you. If you can't

e, but she refused to bac

like he could see straight through her. "You'll stay here for the duration of the proje

ds tumbled out befor

rk requires complete immersion, and this estate is far too

mian Blackwood was daunting, to say the least. But she couldn

m," she sa

ring over her as he extended a hand. "We

nst hers. For a moment, neither of them moved, the air between them thick with an energy she cou

he said over his shoulder. "I suggest you set

urious than any hotel she'd ever stayed in-plush bedding, elegant furnishings, and a bathroom th

he hated the way he seemed to look right through her, the way his mere presence unsettled her. And yet, t

e glanced at the screen.

Are you living your Beauty

like a Hitchc

ponse came

the broody billionaire. Tru

ntion of falling for Damian Blackwood. She was here fo

ight, she couldn't shake the feeling that this place-and the man who own

reness of Elena, as well as expand on their interactions, heightening the tension and