room's attention. She didn't miss the appraising glances from the older members of the board-mostly men who h

r voice firm and professional as she t

ng up her presentation, but the murmurs of doubt still buzzed in her mind like

the latest market projections, and I believe it's time we make a bold mov

f control flood through her. This was her domain-this boardroom, this company. No matter what

at was how it h

nd confidence that had earned her respect, however begrudging, among the board. She was nearly at

Wolfe strolled into the ro

room, and a cocky smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. The tension in the room shot up several notc

digging into the wood. She hadn't expected him here. Hell, she had

oice laced with ice. "I didn't rea

ing intensity that made her stomach flip despite her best effort

dge, as if he was staking his claim. She could feel the eyes of the board shiftin

d members-an older man with salt-and-pepper hair named

'm just here as an observer today, Henry. Consider me... i

ad come here to assert dominance, to undermine her authority in front of her board, and it was working. Sh

about to let hi

ou take a seat and stay out of my way," Eva said sharp

tory. "I wouldn't dream of

unspoken meaning hung between them. He w

en's gaze burned into her. She finished her presentation, ignoring the questions now swirling in the minds of the

e end of the week," she said crisply, not bothering

ed the door, Aiden's

va

ned to face him. The board members had begun to file out, le

closing the distance between them. He stopped just in front of her, close enough that

," he said quietly, his

ndifference despite the quickenin

fleeting moment before returning to her eyes. "You can't ke

ight of his stare. But she forced herself to stand tal

thing," she shot back

htly, his breath brushing agai

he sudden proximity sent a jolt of electricity through her, her breath hitching as her

lips grazing her ear as he whispered, "Meet me tonigh

irections. She knew better than to give in to him. She knew it would be a mistake. But the pull betwee

ling back just enough to meet her gaze ag

he boardroom, leaving Eva standing there, her mind

elf standing in front of her bedroom mirror, staring a

nd she picked it up, half expecting a

s Cha

evening is ready

ht-hadn't told her about the penthouse or the invitation. Yet

er eyes. She had spent years building herself up, fighting for her place in the

t her as if she was the only thing that matte

im, move forward with her life, and pre

could m

in the air, heavy and

grabbed her coat and m