racing herself for yet another day of deal

couldn't ignore the familiar tightening in her chest, the pull that seemed to always surface whenever he wa

ze swept over her, and she felt an electric spark shoot through her.

e broke through her thoughts, c

. "Let's get this ov

fazed by her attitude. "Always a pleas

f them acknowledged it. It was an unspoken understan

's presence. She was focused, sharp, and knew what she was doing. Yet, eve

glance when she spoke. She tried to shake it off, but the t

her thoughts again. "You're

fusing to show any weakne

laced with amusement. "Let'

plit second before she com

that this-whatever thi

headlights of the cars ahead. The drive home felt longer than

r, the way he challenged her. Every part of her wanted to push him away,

ible spark. And no matter how hard she t

et home and forget about it all. But deep do

entered her apartment. With

ugh, smooth and commanding. "I nee

ing at the clock.

s tone unreadable. "We'll discus

ould respond

? She didn't have time for whatever game he was play

every inch of her screaming to walk away. But there

" she asked, trying to

h pleasantries. "I need your he

w. "You could have a

s eyes locking onto h

his confidence, but there was something differe

?" she asked, her voice steady desp

," he replied, his lips c

e air between them,

hing deeper beneath the surface. He wanted her to work closely with him

idea of working so closely with him. But the more she thought about it, the

e low. "But we need to set some gro

ow, intrigued. "An

id, crossing her arms over her c

etween them. His presence was overwhelming

heat between them growi

Their meetings were intense, focused, and undeniably productive. But there was always that lin

, Ari found herself standing by the window of Se

" Sebastian said, his

ding much closer than she had expected. She could

aid, her voice ti

moment, his gaze in

voice trembling despite her

ook a step closer, his hand brushing lightly agains

ispered, his face only inches

ugh neither of them ever acknowledged it as a date. Th

soft hum of the restaurant filling the silence. Ari tried to f

ight," he said, h

nable to keep the edge from

ng lower. "You don't have to pretend wi

fway to her mouth. "I d

ips curling into a knowing sm

ork down. "Th

eaning closer. "And the more you

Ari wasn't sure how it happened, but somehow, Sebastian was st

" Ari whispered, her br

fest of moments before his lips curved into

close. Their faces were so close now, the

what I want,

fore closing the distance between them

She couldn't deny the heat, the undeniable conne

ked, her voice bar

th desire. "Now, we figure ou