zed with activity, executives darting between meetings while assistants juggled calls and deadlines. Her desk, strategically positioned outside Alexander K

vestors, a late call with Tokyo. The man's life was a tightly wound machine, and she was determined to keep it running flawlessly. Yet, benea

'd run a hand through it. "Miss Harper," he said, pausing at her desk, his voice low and co

replied, meeting his gray eyes. "Coffee's on its w

as beginning to recognize. "Efficient. Good." He lingered, his gaze dipping bri

, but she held hi

ouldn't afford to falter-not when every eye in the office seemed to watch her. The other assistants, a tight-knit group led by a sharp-tongued wom

Victoria Langston's presence yesterday had left a shadow, her parting smile a promise of trouble. E

equested for a late-night review. The city lights glittered through the windows, casting a soft glow over her desk. She was de

was still here. "I'll handle it," she said, signing for the package. But the contracts needed his immed

d up from his laptop, his tie loosened, sleeves rolled to his elbows,

desk. "They need your signature tonight. I'm gra

er. "You're still here. Mo

inished," she said, a tou

n passing between them. "Black coffee. And...

t-the invitation to cross an invisible line-hung heavy. "I'll b

alanced two steaming cups, her phone buzzed. A text from an unknown n

she gotten her number? The threat was clear, a reminder of the stakes.

k his cup. The contact was brief, electric, and their eyes locked, the silence thic

lt the pull of something inevitable. This was more than a job, more than