A Kiss In The Dark

shoes, and dropped face-first onto my couch with a m

The click of my heel. The slip. The rush of panic. An

Why did it have to be him?" I groaned, dragging my fingers d

ffice?'" I stood and planted my hands on my hips, trying to imitate Lucian Vale's signature gl

t scene-his eyes narrowing, the way his suit clung to his frame like it had been tailored by the dev

could've at least acted like I belonged there. No

ther, Aveline," I whispered. "It's just your

me-strong, sure, his grip firm around my wrist like I weigh

he memory followed me into the night, lin

---------

y, Lucian Vale

ing New York skyline. Morning hadn't quite broken yet, but the darkness outside was beginn

n't waste time on restless sleep. They calcula

oling glass of scotch he hadn't sipped. I knew it because everything about him-his pr

g about yester

to him. Not yet. But be

r in his otherwise perfect equation.

s staying-whether to test me, or to destroy me

had nothing to do with secret

a knock at

rom the other side,

glass down. He

ffice. Not yet. This morni

nd a past still

-----------

ame one he'd been dragged from years ago, blood on his hands, a city alr

pavement with crisp finality. He didn'

he door. "Mr. Vale.

d in, not a

The man who'd twisted the truth years ago a

ill sitting in the same leather

aid coolly. "Pity it took

k. "Pity you still

unshots. Nothing about the conversation was wa

uite the moment, isn't it? CEO before thirty. Some say it

ade. "Still clinging to

ill trying to

nything. This is for my father. The man who built Dever Hol

twitched, but

"This visit was a courtesy. D

r a reply. His footsteps e

-----------

lent glances, trying not to sweat through my blouse. The a

e doors

like he owned the bu

. His suit, dark charcoal and impossibly tailored, moved like it belon

. A standing ovation. So

pretending my pal

, Dever Holdings' cres

atched him do it. I owe him everything. And I owe this company even more. If you're expecting the same rhythm, you're in for

let the sil

ood. To those waiting for me

this time. I just stood there, heart pounding, kn

e new CEO. He was the stor

-----------

r was quieter. Softer. Lik

once, bind

e said, voic

areful, composed. "

ed, and

al at two. Investor check-in at

d up. "T

on Hall. Formal. Pair att

toward me-not r

o with me

ed. "Ex

r. "To the gala. You

on't thin

ng your boss?" h

ught someone mo

gers grazing mine, and the contact

eft mine. "You'l

knew the answers inside. I steppe

," I said quickly, "And the e

t. Dangerous. "Eff

bling around nothing. Behind me, h

always knew exactl

be walking side

I liked