The Boardroom Heat

massive glass table, his usual arrogance absent. Instead of his usual sharp navy suits and smug confidence, he looked di

stin, standing at the head of the table, was the perfect contrast-calm, poised, and com

eetly. Moore's eyes burned

stin finally spoke, his tone relaxed but laced with authority. "I have no idea what you're talking about, Moore." He slammed the folder onto the table. "Don't insult my int

ealing from him?" Moore's nostrils flared. "I was never stealing." Justin smirked. "Right. You were

night?" Moore didn't answer. Justin's smirk widened. "Let me guess-too many to count?" Moore's silence

ness. And in this wor

Powe

urprised." Moore narrowed his eyes. "By what?" Katie smiled. "That you're still here. I mean, considering your... preca

ir, studying him. "You were p

ake. In a company as powerful as Clarke Enterprises, loyalty mattered. And Moore had just admitted-without meaning to-that he had been planning to abandon ship. Justin's voice was calm but deadly.

f. "I just did." The board members nodded in agreement

hat moment, as if on cue. Two men in black suits stepped forward. "Mr. Moore, pl

him from the room, he turned back to Justin

Katie only smiled. "It is for y

ke that, Mo

he tension in the room van

none of them dared to challenge Justin's decision. Katie turned to Justin

etrov will handle the rest. Moore is a dead man walking." Justin

But we still have a mess to clean up." Katie sighed. "Right. The fallout." Even though Moore was go

urprised by the question. And by the fact that he genuinely

Katie's breath caught. The air between them shifted. For months, their t

But that doesn't mean I have to like it." Her pulse pounded. Because, suddenly, she wasn't thinking about Moore. Or the board. Or anything except the way

e

her. It wasn't soft. It wasn't hesitant. It was a claim. His hands tangled in her hair, her back hit the desk, and su

loser, devouring him the way she had wanted to f

she didn't stop herself. Didn't o

gerou

ed. Justin's forehead rested against hers. Neither of th

ghed softly. "Maybe a little." He brushed a strand of hair from her face. "Do y

tle." Justin's grin was slow. Dangerous. "Good," he murm