When heart collides

r her. The man looked like he belonged in a glossy magazine, tailored suit clinging to his tall, lean fra

an she had sw

low and smooth, though no warmth

eek clock mounted on the far wall, at 2:59 PM. She w

Blackwood," she replied,

smile, more of a challenge. "I

exander Blackwood always expec

you decide to hire me," she

just looking at her-he was assessing her, the same way one might inspect a pie

the leather chair acros

leather portfolio on her lap. She would not let him in

e. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a stunning view of the city skyline, but Alicia refused t

he said, flipping open a s

possible to tell with the way hi

ing," Alicia an

rs-sharp, assessing,

Alicia refused to back down

ure vision," she continued, her voice steady. "I focused on modern luxury-clean line

ghtly. "I'm not in the busine

d her lips together to stop herself

e, "your office should be. Otherwise, people mig

ise crossed his face.

always th

hen I'm

but his expression remained cool

orward. "And if you want someone who will deliver a space

. But this time, it was

idated by me," he

uld

ack in his chair, fingers steepled beneath his chin,

ess intense. "I don't want people who scare

mall breath of relief. She

something no one else will because I understand that

econd, she caught a glimpse of something be

er it," he s

he refused to show it. She needed more

Mr. Blackwood," she said

be in

ook back. If she learned anything from her past, it was never to give

-

, the weight of the meeting s

t, too quiet. Noah sho

r phone and fired

Where

espo

nd kicked off her heels, stretching her aching feet. Ma

buzzed a m

. Got caught u

ame to Noah's safety, but she couldn't help it. Their parents' accident had

heck her emails, a knock e

isted into a tight knot. No

noring it. But something, instinct

open

blood

mooth, familiar voice cur

me polished, too charming. But beneath that easy smile wa

doing here?" she dema

e widened, but his eyes gleamed with

to stay aw

belonged there. "Come on, Alicia. I've

o

did

in his face, he said, "I heard you'

mbled. How di

ed, his voice a shade too soft. "Men

, but she refused to let

ing colder, more dangerous, flickered in his ey

around,

and Alicia pressed her back agai

t complicated enough

ing feeling he was