One Night Stand With The CEO

rous

ab

es negotiation. Lunch with Adrian had been more than just a meal-it had been a test. Ever

as still trying to f

space did little to soothe my nerves. The modern glass walls gave me a clear view of the bustling floor outside-emp

till sat neatly stacked in front of me, waiting to be reviewed. Legal work had always been my refuge, a place where logic

upon pages of legal jargon detailing Sinclair Enterprises' ongoing merger with a European conglomerate. It was a

ng myself in the precise wording of each clause, dissecting its imp

y office door brok

ickening slightly as Eth

ce that reminded me of Adrian-polished, poised, and always in control. His gaze

though he was already moving

, schooling my expression

s he sat down, crossing one leg over

that made me wary-an underlyin

rmrest and leaning slightly forward, "you'

wasn't aware I was a

rious. He doesn't do that. Ever." He studied me for a beat. "But I prefer to form

tensed ar

it was

que

efully measured neutral

ed his head slightly, watching me as though ass

reful answer," he no

the truth," I

etched between us bef

e cuff of his sleeve. "But if you ever feel like

smile. "I'll ke

d as he turned and st

gone did I allow

't lik

g into my past. Now, it s

I had to be eve

-

ri

ew of Isabella through the glass

hed the way her shoulders tensed slightly, the way

was

t good

o pick apart the minute tells that revealed what they we

hair, drumming my fin

been tes

him. I had done

reacted to the mention of Westfo

phone and dialed

answered. "Wha

departure from Westford & Co.," I said smoothl

ce responded, "This isn't the fi

slightly. "Wh

been looking into

ve of suspicion

t who,"

else was already di

ly one who knew she

-

ab

efings, and by the time evening rolled around, I had

efore shrugging on my coat. The office was quieter now

of my office, I nearly

o mine, unreadable.

my bag on my shoulde

with

n't a

eside him, my pulse unsteady a

he glittering lights of Manhattan stretching into the d

ands casually in his pockets, h

u leave Wes

mach c

his a

main steady. "I already

ooth, but there was something sharper beneath it. "Something

ld his gaze. "It's no

the space between us. "Everythi

ath hi

t just abo

out power

a man who didn't like

ing me to be an open book, then maybe

lence fill

ise, Adrian let o

he murmured, "when the game

nt a shiver

eeling that whatever game A

lready