Elena Hart stepped through the archway, heart clenched in her chest like a secret. And her gown, a deep emerald satin tha

ht was borrowed. Excep

past her was powerful men and women cloaked in anonymity and wealth. Deals were being made in the sh

it would take to keep Hart & Co. from collap

er her breath like a mantra. "D

ecause standing empty-handed made her feel exposed. As she moved toward her first target-a

anger in a simple black mask. His suit was midnight tailored, and his pr

extended a hand, and this made Elena hesitate as she didn't kn

ou think?"

g for a dance," The

r afterwards. "You could have been polite about

, as eyes were starting to shift to her, and causing a scene at the event was not part of the plan she had made. Gently looking at herself, sh

murmured to herself. "

owds. One of his hands settled at her waist, and it felt warm and strong to Elena, w

ked as his lips curved in resp

ured; it was like it unraveled something in her. He

others," he added, hi

know me," E

s a soft smile followed, and this made her mouth

re of yourself,

" he replied as a smi

er heart racing and breath catching. She was here for business, and yet here she wa

and her life was in chaos. She had no time for mystery men and sultry glances, and st

e said, his voice

ven know y

plied as everything in her

upper floors. The elevator ride was silent, humming with tension, so she began thinking of how she

g to leave, but her body was fascinated by him. Soon, they arrive

ld chandelier, but Elena barely noticed the view as she turned toward

id, and dangerous, but

command, and his hands were sure yet slow. He caught her face like

loor. They moved like people who had nothing to lose, who

hoosing him, if only for tonight. His mouth followed the line of her throat, then lower, igniting sparks in h

ouched her like he was memorizing. She arched beneath him as he entered her

et deeper. Her moans filled the dark as his name never pass

n't ju

n her chest. For once, she wasn't the fixer or carry

woman, and this

. His chest rose and fell steadily, an arm draped across the empty space where she'd once

. Her body ached in places she hadn't felt alive in months, and suddenly, she paused at the door, her fingers resting on the handle. As she thought to herself that this was a one-night stand, and since she didn't know h