PTE

EARS L

hich stretches endlessly into the sky. Tall, sleek g

nding the stairs and walking into the establishment. Her heels click agai

hold and curious eyes trail her every move

rushing in to avoid a strike for late coming, phones ringing, the shar

ntil they

ce like she owns it, grey eyes locked ahead and postur

teps in and she keys in her destination. Just as the doors begin to

w she has to be a minute late because some

she's staring up, up into playful but piercing light blue

to an easy smirk. He takes one long stride into the elevator and Alara can

waist to accentuate the well-tailored

he thinks is too smooth. "Didn'

ith amusement. Does he think it's funny to inconvenience people wit

a company with such a reputation even hire s

rself to main

rst day. You know how it is. Shouldn't be late,

ut the hell up so she can get her thoughts in one pl

urried footsteps echo from outside.

doors. Instead, he tilts his head, grinning a

xhales sharply through her m

ve waited,"

. "Could'

ou to be a littl

ance before looking away w

id to stop herself from looking at his irritatingly handsome face, sh

d drumming his fingers against the steel railing. She c

nsider that there's some

know elevator etiquette was this strict." His

sends his wa

oors part, he steps out but turns at th

satisfaction, she watches as the doors slide shut between them. He rema

ounter as the elevator resumes its ascent to the top floor. The mom

e to the floor-to-ceiling windows framing the city

s before th

deep blue eyes-almost gra

iately. "Mr. Jeri

strict business. He gestures for her to sit as he

ight to busines

son was supposed to be here less than an hour ago." His voice turns gruff. "I specifically told him that fo

asure manages to find its way to her face. "Work ethics

h, amused. "Yo

wings open and someone saunters in.

oorway, charcoal suit still perfectly in place and that

n't be. B

unable to drag her face away from his long le

r temper flares sharp even though she d

e extends a hand toward Alara. "I'm Xavi

o meet him. Is this the new CE