BOUND BY DESIRE

She swirled the amber liquid in her glass, watching the ice cubes clink together. Two weeks. Tw

ooth, familiar voice

e than anyone until he had shattered her world. His tall frame leaned casually against the bar,

?" she asked, her voice

hey were old friends. "Still as fiery as ever. Relax, I

"Cut the act, Aaron. You

w me too well. Fine, I heard you were back in the city and

she muttered, turni

ing. "Lana, come on. Can we at least talk

idn't just make a mistake, Aaron. You betrayed me. You took everything we buil

tening. "I was young and stupid. I thought I was doing the right t

e time for this. Not now, not ever. "You can't fix this,

em. Lana looked up to see Nicholas Sterling st

asked, his voice calm but laced with an

anor slipping as he sized up th

ng it clear he didn't need an introduction.

t of jealousy flashing in his eyes. "Didn't realiz

he's earned it. Now, if you'll excuse

, Lana." He shot Nicholas one last look before walkin

acated, his gaze unreadable. "Old flame?" he asked casually, tho

ana replied, her voice clippe

back in his chair. "You're on a tight deadline, a

t your employee, Mr. Sterling. I don't

ained cold. "Fair enough. But I'd suggest you stay f

re she could retort, he leaned forw

ftly. "The people you let into your life can eith

leaving Lana to grapple with the st

l clashing with Nicholas's cryptic words. It felt like the gro

past she thought she had le

buzzed on the counter. She glanced at the scre

re dealing with. Walk away

ed on the phone. The sender was anonymo

hile, Lana wasn't sure if she'