Beneath His Touch

against her skin. She had only a few minutes before she needed to leave, but every moment felt like an eternity. Her reflection stared back at her, an image sh

a dream come true. A chance to finally prove herself. A shot at a real career. She was an undergraduate at NYU, studying English Literature on scholarship. But t

bag slung over the chair. She shoved her resume into the folder, barely noticing how it crea

d at the clock a

more to herself than anyon

counter, swiping it open to c

one. Remember, you're

people would in a lifetime. Diagnosed with leukemia at six, Ben had been in and out of hospitals for ye

, and running errands for the elderly residents at a nearby building. It was a gruelling schedule, but it was the only way she could pay rent, keep food in the fridge, and make sure her brother got the treatments he needed. It wasn't just her brother. It was her grandmother too, who had stepped

she barely noticed. She had been up all night studying for her interview, too tired to care about the bitter wind or the constant noise of New York City. The s

erprises, her hands were shaking. The receptionist, an impeccably dre

asked, barel

tefan Blackwood." Katherine's voice was steady, though t

chairs, glancing around the waiting area. The walls were lined with expensive art, the floors gleaming with polished marble. Everyt

e need

r train of thought. She checked it

about you. He

om, his small body hooked up to machines. Every day, it felt like he was slipping further

in a sharp suit appeared in the doorway. Hi

deep, with an unmistakable a

es. His reputation had followed him, of course-cold, calculating, ruthless. Every article she had read painted h

med to pierce through her with a look that was almost too intense. He wasn't smiling

e said, his voice sm

eek, minimalist office. Her heart was racing, her palms slick with s

o focus on the interview, but all she could think about was the weight of her responsibilities-the bills,

she knew this interview was going to b