a few swift keystrokes, he had everything Ariel wanted, the data neatly laid out
the country," she said with a smile, a hint o
r the keys, but he didn't look up. "It's a long story," he replied, h
fting elsewhere. After all, this was only the beginning of their alliance, and she
coming a therapist?" She studied him with genuine in
er gaze. "Let's just say what others might need a year to learn, I can master in
t's impressive. But you're re
her gaze more directly now. "I'm in my early thirties," he
far. Instead, she nodded thoughtfully and turned her attention back to the i
across the page. She jotted down the crucial details in silence, her expression unreadabl
thy family, had been trained from a young age to defend herself. Damon, on the other hand, had grown up under the stern guidance
," she muttered. They needed to get back to Damon's office. Without hesitation, they stoo
work?" she asked as they
evening," he replie
you in front of your house
e front of my house?" he echoed,
. "Yes, the front of your hous
op. Damon turned to her, his tone cautious. "So.
ft, cool. "No. Not u
don't trust me? And yet you had me
loser, so close he could inhale h
laced with dangerous charm. "And if I tell you now, I might never achieve th
pened the door and stepped out, leavin
to seduce me? he wondered, replaying the intimacy of the moment.
ouched his chest. Swallowing hard, he shook his
toward the hidden staircase that led back to his office one step a
vier than words, her expression mirroring the same broken desolation he had witnessed the last time he visited her home. Gone
his mind as he slowly lowered himself into his chair. Before he could speak, a bel
ed out, her presence evaporating like a ghost in retreat. The next client entered
and her best friend, Courtney, seated in the living room. The way they
n?" Katherine, her
el replied in a soft vo
concern etched in his brow. "Do you
as the memory of Victor and Daniel surged back into her mind. But it was Victo
r demeanor, Katherine li
if you're not ready,"
their eyes with a calm resolve. "I need more ti
anding as she turned and cl
ith a hopeful note. "I guess the therapist is goo
rling, I think you should send him some money. Just as encouragem
right," he said, already reaching