When heart collides

kitchen window, casting a warm glow across the pale blue walls and the mess Alicia Hayes had yet to clean up. Empty cereal bowls cluttere

that had settled behind her eyes since last night. An

eer into her voice. She didn't need her little brother worrying

back, his voice muffled from behind

ing at her lips. "Watch it, kid," she warn

days, it drove her insane. On other days, like today, it was the on

AM. If he didn't get moving

big. His dark hair was a mess, sticking out in every direction, but somehow it still worked for him. He gr

e is gonna get you in trouble,"

g a bite out of the apple, "you'

ve to worry, Noah. Someone has to make sure yo

said, placing a dramat

, but Noah was the reason she kept pushing forward. After their parents died, it had be

, right?" she asked, lift

ther," h

to punch Chase Whitm

r her to notice. "Depends. If

You're on thin ice with the scho

e dropped onto one of the kitchen stoo

ted. "I care about you not throwing awa

ulders slumping

url behind her ear. "But you're better than that. And besides, I can't ha

he humour fading. "I

o the top of his head. "And hey, don't be t

er of affection in his voice as he

door, her heart swelling wi

she called out as

flashing her a

d the silence settled in

-

allowed herself to enjoy the quiet. No teasing little brother. No buzzing phone.

ned her emails. Nothing but overdue bills and rejection clients backing out, proj

er landlord. A knot twisted in her stomach. If she did

e her, shattering the

before answe

a smooth, fema

eak

executive assistant to

halfway to her lips.

n project," Evelyn continued. "Mr. Blackwood is inte

ion. Blackwood Enterprises was a multi-billion-dollar empire with its fingers in everything from

art thudding in her chest

ck-in with me w

before Alicia cou

er hands trembling slight

here Noah had just left. Maybe just

-

terprises, heart pounding against her ribs. Her navy blue blazer hugged he

this. She h

lastered on a polite smile. "I'm here for a

the private elevator to the thirty-seve

levator.

open. She stepped into a minimalist office space bathed in sunli

aid, offering a brief smile. "

er shoulders as she followed Evel

as when sh

der Bl

lack suit. His presence filled the room with broad shoulders, chiselled jawli

breath

ad expected, i