polished boardrooms, endless

d away in the buzzing hive of the marketing floor. Today, she sat outside the CEO's office, fielding h

he went, whis

The new execut

Nelson promote

ave somethin

ted tighter each day. She wasn't naïve. She knew exactly w

softened as he asked for her opinion, when his hand brushed hers as they

t scar

ice

d in his glass tower, sleeves rolled up, tie loosened. Claire sat a

his voice low, deliberate. "Repl

flew across

, watching her. "

the sudden softness in his ton

u're... refreshing. Everyone else around me just says wh

ks. "Maybe I haven't been here

, his storm-gray eyes locking onto hers. "Don't ever be scared o

office air thickened, the city lights g

z of the intercom s

ist's voice crackled. "You h

ws drew tog

d seemed awkward. "She say

el's E

spond, the doors open

ael S

ry curve, high heels clicking against the marble floor like a dare. She moved w

aire completely as she strode ac

ed in her seat,

e didn't send her away. "Rac

ose enough for her perfume to flood the air. "We di

velvet and pois

context to understand. This woman wasn't ju

, glancing toward Claire. "W

her eyes sliding over Clai

this? Your

ad said quickly. "My n

ended a hand, nails sharp and red. "Careful, sweetheart. Men like Brad... t

teady eyes, refusing to fli

ung between them

ael, I'll call you tomorrow. Claire

ngs silently, but her mi

d close and whispered just loud enough: "He'll nev

d around her folder, bu

ter

perched herself on Brad's d

cing a finger over his papers. "She's cute. Fresh. But B

e bridge of his nose. "Ra

way from me," she replied

dangerous becaus

end in t

pe before her thoughts betrayed her. But as she stepped out into the cool night

J

drawled, flicking the cig

rrowed. "Were you

ith. She's not the type to play nice. And if you think Brad Nelson is a prize worth

owing. "I appreciate the warning. H

I like that about you. But be care

d and her heart was pounding a

sly laughter from Rachael. Brad's jaw tightened

oors down the hall opening once more. A woman wit

ed softly. Tatiana Miller. She stopped when she heard

med a slow, ca

to herself. "This is g