Claiming What's Forbidden

, rested atop the polished surface of Selena's desk when she arrived that

ner tonight. 8 p

. Ares Sinclair didn't do dinners with employees. He didn't do dinners with anyone unless it

her purse. She told herself it was nothing. Probably just a business discus

se. She hadn't forgotten how Ares had looked at her the night she fell asleep in the confer

self not to

herself t

lf this wasn't

art refuse

hugged her figure modestly but elegantly, accentuating her natural grace. Her long black hair fell in soft waves over her shoulders, and h

ou at the villa, Miss Hale,

she asked

tly but offered no

g road to a secluded part of the hills, Selena's anxiety mounted.

a cliffside overlooking the ocean. The sky was painted in deep purples

ce in a tailored navy suit with h

cut of his suit framing his tall, commanding figure. The ocean breeze ruffl

aid softly, st

to sound composed despite

d his arm.

glass windows framed the endless ocean, and soft lighting gave the space a golden glow. A s

round. "This pla

Ares said, pulling out her chair.

to calm her nerves. "So

I need an occasion to have dinner

-I assumed this

thought you deserved a night where you're not the one organ

her cheeks. "Thank you...

osely. "You always look surprised whe

r wineglass. "I guess

tched her with a gaze that felt like

n her mouth. They talked, and for the first time, Ares wasn't her boss. He was just a man, tellin

ve any siblin

. "Just me. A

ntly. "That e

't help but join in. The sound was unfamiliar, rare. It ech

" he said suddenly, the lau

on I work so hard. Medical bills

. "You're remarkable, Selena. Most peop

"I don't have th

nd something unsaid

is hand brushing

," he said, h

nded. "You ha

His thumb gently traced the edge of her hand. "You'

h caught.

I don't care what the world thinks. What they expec

ldn't think. Couldn't bre

"An arrangement.

ding space. "This isn't

on who makes me feel like

ed them away. "You have everything,

ave," he said, stepping towa

reached out, but sh

said softly. "But I've never wa

hovered a b

"So what happens if

gh. "Then we deal wi

er body. It was both desperation and promise like he'd been waiting for this moment forever. And as her arms wrapp

had bee

ould be no