Embers and Edict

aming through her window was already too bright for comfort. She snatc

ood day. With traffic, it could be worse. She had planned to beat the traffic by waking up early. She had set her alarm for 7:30. It h

umpled, and there was no time to iron it. Her black pants were clean at least, and her new shoes-t

streets and congested intersections. By the time she arrived at the headquarters of Lockhart & Locke, she was sticky with sweat and anxiety. The lob

s smoothing out their blazers and glancing at the doors with expectant expressions. Bianca shrank

fitting skirt and bold makeup strutted confidently into the interview room.

Nathaniel's face didn't change nor did his cold eyes sway fir even a

firm," he said flatly. "

he waved his hand. "You

n in disbelief as she w

later, the door flung open, and she saw the lady who just en

spot," she muttered under

g near Bianca ex

e her skirt

seduce Nathaniel Lockhart?" the other replied.

less. You breathe

crumble under the pressure. She hadn'

her name

her skin. The air conditioning was cold, unnaturally sharp, and h

was

iel Lo

f place. His skin was clear and smooth, and his features looked like they'd been chiseled by an artist's hand. But it was his eyes-piercing emerald green-that seized her in

houlders and an aristocratic posture. He ex

beat too long, her tongue sudde

eft, she notic

man fro

ly smiled with recognition. She returned the smil

oice cut in, smooth but firm

inally pulling h

s he observed the warm excha

know each other?

er. "We met on a bus. J

cked over Bianca's appearance. Her stomach betrayed her a

file. "Culinary s

ce steady despite the heat in he

flatly. "This firm needs chefs who can handle press

trying to speak. "But

m a look that mad

back. "Thank you for your time

e hallway, Antoine

really sorr

y," she s

have your number? I'll help

hen handed him h

nca curled up on

ne rang

ow did

"It was awful. He was aw

that, the te