week felt li

dark intensity of his gaze, and the unnerving mix of control and vulnerability that flickered through him-it all clung to her.

ail, from the guest list to the venue décor, was carefully planned and perfectly executed. She could feel t

eel him in the room when she closed her eyes. His words had echoed in her mind, and th

er meeting. The event was just days away, and Elena n

ed her blouse, wiped her palms on her skirt, and tried to steady her breath. She wasn't sure why she

loor, each step echoing louder than the last.

deep voice, speaking to someone. She hesitated

dark hair, a chiseled jawline, and a sharp, knowing smile. He exuded confidence in a way that was almost familiar

aid smoothly, his tone rich and wa

ht off guard by his presence. She offered her

idening as he observed her. "I'm here to he

se. Was Julian working with other people on the event? She had a

. "He'll be happy to see you. He's been

her. Eager. The way he said it made i

as he stared out at the skyline. The sight of him made Elena's breath hitch in her throat. The dark suit he wore

her voice a little shakie

to hers with that familiar intensity. "Elena," he greete

to focus on the task at hand, though she couldn't seem to shake the

stepped toward her. He was close-closer than she ha

g to the conference table. Elena nodded,

aned forward, his elbows resting on the table, and his eyes never left h

tension was thick, suffocating. Every second in his presence seemed to stretch longer

ou," Julian said suddenly,

e knew the words had been coming, but h

asked, unable to keep the s

ving hers. "I mean, I can't seem to get you out of my hea

tinct to look away. His words stirred something

flickering down to her lips and then back to her eyes, a

ody responding to the way he looked at her

don't you?" she said, her voice low but

fferent-more intimate, more predatory. "Maybe," he said, his voice thick wi

em, the door opened again, and Da

ed on both of them, clearly aware of the energy in the ro

of professionalism. Dante didn't seem fazed, but there was an edge t

ng unreadable in his expression. He nodded at Dante. "We'll fin

seemed to hang in the air, and even though they were now interrupted, it

ed to hers. The air felt thick, like it was just

nd rough. "I can't keep pretending l

e admission she hadn't even realized she wanted. Her heart beat fast

etending," she said, her vo

ied, his hand inching closer to he

verything was about to change. She could feel the magnetic pull between them, the unspoken d

dn't w