The Final Spark

's

million tiny promises, but all she felt was the weight of nerves tightening in her chest. Tonight wasn't just any event-it

? None other t

less in business, rumored to be just as dominant behind closed doors. Ava wasn't here to swoon. She was here to w

o see him: tall, impeccably dressed, his dark eyes scanning her wit

low and controlled. "I was begi

ead-on. "Traffic was a nightmare." She smiled, but

ved, the way his eyes seemed to size up every detail. Yet when he looked at her, Ava f

cologne-a sharp, intoxicating mix of cedar and somethi

a smile. "N

sed or maybe intrigued

nd the floor-to-ceiling windows. Ava's eyes drank it in, imagining the gala she was about

trying to unravel the layers she kept so care

met his eyes steadil

is voice dropped, almost a growl. "W

man who never did anything halfway. His deals came with string

ersonal," she

. "Maybe you haven't

charged silence. She glanced down-a message from her assistant

oding her veins. "Looks like ton

s slow, dangerou

er element-commanding vendors, directing staff, and fine-tuning every detail. But all the while, Jaxon was there-a si

med into focused energy. The gala was her masterpiece, and ever

, eyes never leaving her. When he finally approached

low enough for only her to he

eyebrow. "I've

pace between them charged. "

ened. "Maybe you

azes across crowded rooms, the accidental touches that ling

something else-darkness lurking in Jaxon's wor

nd her alone on the balcony, the cool night air a

ame," he said, stepping besid

es, unflinchin

ry curve of his lips. "Tha

ll Ava could see was the storm in his eyes

d quietly. "Why ch

Because you're the only

he distance, his hand brushing hers.

o something electric and unbreakable

his chest. He glanced at the sc

e," he

quickened.

tead, he grabbed her wri

rotest, the pentho

e-a silhouette Ava

eath c

e left her with a secret she

, he wa

e tension in the room thicken

ked onto Ava's, da

me, Ava," he said, his voice

ammered wildl

into a possessive hold as he step

?" Jaxon demanded, hi

his lips. "Someone from her past. And I'm here

the weight of the

asn't just a c

eginning of

ng she thought she'd built... and every