Reignite the Flame

d her like a portrait of power and ambition. Yet, none of the views brought her comfort. The folder on

g still rang in her ears. "If we don't act

ears of carefully avoiding his name in conversations and headlines, made her stomach twist. She could still

his is business, not personal.' If she kept tellin

her thoughts. Clara, her assistant, step

our review of the merger proposal," Cla

sing her arms. "Tell him I'll have my

s more. Ferguson Industries sent their confirmation f

h caught. "Thi

tone gentler now. "I tho

So it was happening. She would

" she said briskly

if wanting to say something, but

emples. The clock on her desk ticked louder than usu

e floor-to-ceiling windows of his office, the proposal from Sta

flipping through a printed c

glancing up at Eric. "Strategic

nd, his gaze fixe

're thinking about

ion unreadable. "Don't you have

tone. "You're the boss. But let's not p

be? The idea of sitting across from her, negotiating terms like their s

l," Eric said curtly. "

irking. "And I'm sure it

sal. He hated how much he still thought about Nicole. Hated that ev

again-even under the guise of busi

walls, a long mahogany table, and state-of-the-art technology. Nicole sat

mur of voices outside the door sent her heart r

Fergu

fit him like a second skin, his dark hair perfectly styled, but th

ed to hum with unspoken tension. Nicole's breath hitched, b

id evenly. "Welcome to

ne that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Th

ontact sending a jolt through N

projections, and strategies, their words crisp and detached. But beneath

t too long, or the slight edge in his voice whenever he addressed her direc

woul

said firmly, meeting Eric's gaze across the table. "I trust F

, his smirk returning. "Oh, w

around her pen, but she k

e room, needing a moment to compose herself. She stood in t

ng alr

few feet away, his hands in his po

replied smoothly. "

lightly. "I have to admit, Nicole, I wasn't s

n eyebrow. "Sur

" he said, his voice low. "But

is is a business dea

n his tone. "But let's be honest-this

respond, but the words

gaze piercing. "Let's see i

g her standing there, her heart r

ork. But when she opened her email, a new message appea