e five-star hotel, the soft rustle of her midi-length pleated skirt trailing behind her. She held her award tightly, it was a thin, glas

ional Youth Leadership Summit. Ava took a deep breath. Tonight was perfect. She'd made a name for herself. She'd impressed the ju

er up. Her best friend had promised to come str

. A man in a black suit stepped out, glanced at a t

ila?" h

ked. "No

he cut in briskly. "He said to p

think you've got

thorn is

e made h

tho

gh power to snap his fingers and rebuild cities. She'd seen his name on the list of corporate

lly. If you're not interest

d in her hand. Then at the car. Then ba

oftly. "But if thi

er didn'

lasped her award tighter, her heart thudding. What if this was a mentorship offe

allway wrapped in silence and luxury. Black marble

ponse. She tried th

ke expensive liquor

she s

r Haw

led up to his elbows. Tall. Sharp-jawed. Dark eyes like storms. A glass of

slowly. Di

late,"

to speak, to explain

tioned to the chair

mistake," she said qui

dre

stopped .

her. The click of his shoes on

e not

the youth summit. Your driver must

bones. The way his gaze dragged over

idn't ba

sipping his whiskey. "So you

widened.

own. "Relax, angel. I don't force anyon

ain screamed leave. H

expected," he add

" she shot back, cheeks burning. "I thought th

d lazy. "Mentorship

omach

But don't act surprised. You walked into

pride burned hotter than her

ai

fr

asn't playf

ong here," s

. Slowly. Predato

said. "

eath c

u're trying not to be noticed, but you can't help

ed. "You do

e from churches, from strict homes, from silence. T

ked awa

s face was different ser

virgin, ar

mouth parting

rcling her like she was a

know how dangerous I am' kind of ener

houl

he agreed. "

ng onto the last of her digni

your legs

flin

do emotions. I don't do promises. I d

ser, and she i

in rooms like th

dangerous. Not thre

it was his eyes. Maybe it was the aching thrum in her stomach. Maybe it was

turned a

clicked b

em could breathe right f