ng shadows over the sleek marble floors and polished steel desks. Steve Lancaster's offi

s elsewhere. The night with Sandra replayed over and over every touch,

anced at the clock. Ten minu

time to st

poised and professional. She met his gaze

, Mr. La

s voice was steady, but in

from the sales team. The gesture was casual, bu

lled

od?" she ask

d firmly, the edge in his to

didn't ease. Instead, it thi

mering between Steve and Sandra. As Steve outlined quarterly projections,

stayed outs

ngers on the folder earlier, the way her eyes had searched his for something unspoken. He caught hi

movement returned to the office floor. But Steve felt a

ve found himself lingering in the office, the glow of city li

presence filling the room l

ere," she said, voice steady bu

her of us can se

down and took a

be careful,"

ut I want to see

and the distance be

inger along her jawline, his t

into him, br

d confessions, heated glances, and the slow un

ess. The city lights filtered through the floor to ceiling wind

dra, his hand reaching out slow

di

rtips, the steady beat of her pulse

mingled, sha

spered, voice trem

own, soft at first, then deepening with an

d in his hair, p

ttered in that moment, replaced by a fie

the curve of her waist, pul

he line of her collarbone, fingers ski

he murmured ag

rce and sure. "I've never b

utside ceas

r, shedding clothe

came their altar, the leather ch

promise, each k

haze of heat and

er's arms, the city stretched out below like

ced lazy patter

s now?" she

temple. "Now, w

destroys

ce that too

harsher than it

dra had been just hours before. The sheets were

th a mixture of sa

the ceiling, the weight of th

rything cha

king up, unaware of the sto

ssage from his assistant remindin

up, running a hand

to his bedroo

ssed but disheveled, ey

" she sai

ned for her

r a moment, the air th

teve broke

let this a

d. "But it a

er face strong

to lose you,

out, takin

have to be honest

een them one that might su

here was electric but not because of the

ough the marble corr

glance here, a kn

e the qu

nd Sandra were yesterday?" one

stepped onto the office floor. Conversations halted

r fists but kep

room during the morning briefing

cy of his office, S

l. This" he gestured aroun

"I know. But I can't pre

. "Neithe

that this secret wasn

was wa

t the only play

wn the hallway, cutting through th

s view tall, impeccably dressed, with a pi

nne Mo

ung heavy

e was the ghost of Steve's past a woman wi

d. "Steve. I hear you've bee

e door where Sandra st

tightened.

just become d

nowing smirk. "Ah, the new driver. I must

dge of his desk. "Sandra is

ass. "Oh, I don't need approval. I'm here to remind

g to a dangerous whisper. "I hope

ith quiet defiance. "I'

ood. Because I plan to make

heel and strode away, leavi

e weight of old wounds and

bout that,"

resence was like a storm

ey board members questi

und implying she wasn't just a driver's

d the shift

is trusted executives hesitated before

ance and knew Vivi

o Sandra la

us. Trying to cra

tion shining through. "T

ed their counterattack

s patient.

he city glow to illuminate the space. Steve's office w

ind her. Her eyes searched his face tired,

crossed the room, pull

need to sa

as they gave in to the need that

er skin, lips found the

ecame a rebellion a promise that no matte

l there was no space between them. His breath was hot against

shirt, her voice trembling but

oring the moment, the closeness. Every kiss

of her waist, the delicate line of her collarbone. She arched into hi

d over their bare skin as they moved to

ot the rumors, not the threats, not th

ight deepened, Steve pulled Sandra close, his

her," he murmured, vo

s chest. "But the world outside t

n't let anyone tear us apar

his shirt. "Then we fight

quiet promise a shared resolve to f

s hum, but inside, in this small sanct

of her apartment, staring at th

rdworking, a man who had driven for Lanc

th was dif

the driver's d

she'd always known and the dangerous, glam

with a message

everyone here has your

stung, but i

d, determination ha

otect her new life and the m

d spent his life behind the wheel, navigating city streets and company politics with equ

g, Marcus was waiting in the kitchen, a se

fast," he said, v

'm not a child, Dad. I

ut Steve Lancaster's world isn't safe. It's fi

r arms. "I ca

remember where you come f

gered, heavy

m was gathering a battle between

al, the polished table gleaming u

ad, flanked by his

ess as ever, her presen

sted n

e smooth but sharp, "I propose we recon

pled throug

d with Vivienne's,

pany's growth," he countered. "Ba

"Perhaps. But my share

buzzed wi

"Then let me address t

ld feel Sandra's steady gaze from the back of t

board members. "Vivienne's objections are expected, but this merger

"Numbers can be manipulated, St

e and gave him a small, encouraging nod. She had spent the last few

r thick with research. "I've uncovered some discrepancies in Vivienne's

documents, impressed. "Y

loser. "I'm more than jus

front against Vivienne's calculated attacks.La

data, formulating plans to ou

, eyes locking in moments charg

pable," Steve murmured,

eart pounding. "

ed a unified front Steve's commanding pr

from the sideline

was far f

ndra stood together on the balcony of the penthou

fice had left them d

rowing bolder, her moves

se, his voice a rough w

r. Whatever comes next

im, eyes bright with

atter

ering kiss a promise fo

ght hummed with pos

ster Enterprises