ly slept

the dark eyes that had stripped her bare, the business card burning like a brand in her pal

ingled her out? Was this a

ming like a dare. Ten a.m. sharp, he had said. The problem was, people like him didn

f she

se that was one wash away from thinning, and the same heels that had given her blisters yester

red in the mirror, trying to ign

-

g the sun like a blade. Anna stepped into the lobby, where the recept

arching a brow. "He doesn't... usuall

ck card in her hand.

eceptionist said nothing more, only pres

ened the knot in her chest. By the time the doors slid op

l windows framed the skyline, a breathtaking view of the city sprawling endlessly below. As

uble doors stood like

ll assistant said, his expression u

ike lead as she pu

-

ur across a desk of black glass, where Alexander Knight sat like a king on his throne. He was

ozen in the doorway, clutching her bag like a shield,

s eyes

ld, pierc

night, locking onto he

rd, set the phone down, and lean

act, as though he hadn't

self to nod. "Y

but something close. "So you fo

rders," she blurted befor

d one dark brow, and Anna's heart plummeted.

, amusement flickered in

ch of him radiated authority as he circled the desk and came to stan

" he said. It wa

she a

hy

." The words slipped out before she

ble passed through his expression. Then

er me," Alexander said, his tone sharp as a blade. "D

ng in his path. But standing here, under his gaze, she realized the rumors were only half the truth. The da

ink so," s

he could feel the heat radiating off him. His

red, eyes boring into hers. "Wh

k away, but she forced herself to hold his gaze

ocating. Then, slowly, a smirk cur

aid softly.

iding back behind his desk. He picked up a file, f

work here. S

. "What? Jus

harp and unyielding. "Do

s,

ith questions. My assistant

nerosity. It was a command, as t

wed hard. "

pped lower, dangerous. "But r

orward, eye

ross me, or even hesitate at the wrong moment...

ring inside her. She had just stepped into the lio

d it or not, she had