A Deal with Desire

ade his way to the study. He was restless-a rare state for a man who prided himself on his ir

out at the snow-covered grounds. She was stubborn, no doubt about that. Fiercely de

h. But Elena... she was different. She met his gaze without flinching, fired back with

he was just another project-a means to an end. If she succeeded, he'd gain a profitable new venture. If

he memory of her in the study earlier. The way her eyes had flashed with d

harp clink. He didn't have time for distractions. And

r a brief moment, she forgot where she was, her mind still caught in the haze of sleep. But then reality

cold water on her face in an attempt to shake off her nerves. She didn't have the luxury

e mansion was already a flurry of activity. Staff bustled about, carr

le

king onto hers. He was impeccably dressed as always, the casual eleg

said, forcing her

. "We'll start in the west wing. I want yo

it all. The west wing was even more opulent than the rest of the estate, with high ceilings,

professional. "Guests will pay for exclusivity, privacy, and the sense of escap

m. "You keep saying 'escape.' Wha

ion unreadable. "The s

ility that vanished as quickly as it appeared. She wanted t

cess to the estate-photos, floor plans, the works. And I'll need to un

faint smile. "You ask a lot

oing my job, M

mer of amusement in his eyes. "Very well. You'll have everything you

oice firm. "But I don't inte

nse

ring over her notes and brainstorming ideas. The room was quiet, the only soun

work that she didn't hear D

d," he said, his vo

d him standing in the doorway.

again. "It is. But don't forget to eat. You'll

wn her spine, but she forced herself to focus. "

"Progress can't come at the expense of your heal

de her heart skip a beat despite herself. She hated how he could u

mind," she said,

nger, then nodded. "Good. Dinn

alone with her thoughts-and the unsettling realiza