Claiming What's Forbidden

Enterprises, looking more like a shadow carved from stone than a man. His arms were crossed behind his back, his

ir to an old-money dynasty. The man who crushed competitors with a smirk and never allowed anyo

medical bills kept mounting. Not when she was barely survi

mach. She'd never worked in a company this big before King Enterprises was less a business and more a universe. He

just needed this job to last long enoug

olished walls. Auburn curls tied back. A bit of gloss. Neatly pres

stepped out into a hallway that looked like a museum glass sculp

n red lipstick

aid, voice clipped. "I'm Deborah.

ied with a small s

ps twitching with something that

hat led to the executive office. The spac

she s

ring out at the New York skyline, hands tucked b

roat. "Mr. King, your

dn't

on the desk," he s

desk, gave Selena a look that said

didn'

like it might snap. Selena stood still, waiting. H

y, he

cheekbones, piercing steel-gray eyes. But photos couldn't capture the way he

ze pin

urth one this

ded once.

ne who cries. And I especially don't need someone wh

and," she

pockets, eyes raking her like he was tryin

keep you longer

d. "I'm not here to cry. I'm here to wor

So close she could smell his colo

your bac

nd admin for three years. I've managed schedules, coordinate

y t

ility," she said careful

change. "So this is

. "This is survival. I'm good at what

at her a m

and walked ba

. Don't ask questions. And do

s,

tarted logging in. Within minutes, her inbox was floode

the longest d

week, Selena had memor

on his desk before his meetings, emails printed and color coded, and silence when h

n it surfaced, was quiet-like a storm that hadn't brok

ticipated his needs, stayed ahead of his calendar, learned the

tarted n

any of them," whispered

her murmured. "That neve

n, her focus sharp. She didn't care what the

d too close. Couldn't ignore the way her pulse skipped when his voice droppe

ossible no

ht, everyth

as still at her desk, organizing notes from a major investor

behind he

ed up-an

hirt sleeves rolled up. He looked

till here

"I wanted to

. "You've been stay

used

n't com

my st

t over her. "

retched be

sently, "Come in. I wan

itated-but

She joined him, staring at the glittering skyli

ietly. "But there are days it

. "That's because yo

her then. R

ever said

nded in her chest. "Maybe no

k a step

yo

s breat

she whi

etween them

er cheek and just before h

w tigh

red, turning away.

rt dropped.

hly. "You didn't d

o his desk,

ould go

lowly. "Good ni

ad held high, even

again, fists clenched at his sides haun