m of power, but the undercurrent of gossip and suspicion was impossible to ignore. Her desk outside Alexander Kane's office was both a command post a

of last night's dinner at Le Ciel clung to her-the almost-touch of Alexander's hand, the weight of Victoria Langston's predator

ccentuated his broad shoulders, and his gray eyes found hers with an intensity that made her pulse skip. "Miss Harper," he sa

tact was electric, a spark that lingered in her veins. "It's ready," she said, hol

cker of approval. "Good. Yo

ice was a double-edged sword. As Alexander retreated to his office, Carla sidled up, her voice a venomous

tral smile. "I'm j

arp. "Sure. Keep tel

command unwavering as he outlined the counteroffer. Elise sat at his right, her notes meticulous, her presence drawing curious glances from the senior executives.

et me at the rooftop bar, 8 p.m. We need to talk. – V. Victoria. Elise's stomach twisted, the cryptic summons

ghts kept circling back to Alexander. He'd been distant since the session, buried in calls, yet his occasional

bar was a risk, but backing down wasn't an option. She arrived to find Victoria already there, perched at a corner table, her crims

voice smooth as silk. "Sit.

e, her posture rigid. "What

ght, I'll give you that. But you're playing a dang

his secretary, not his prope

esire when I see it. You want him, and he's too weak to resist. But let me be c

aze unflinching. "I don't scare easily. If

ngerous. "Bold. But boldness

tepped into the elevator, only to find Alexander inside, his expression stormy.

ir proximity. "Victoria wanted to talk," she admi

loser, the air crackling. "Stay aw

ed, and the real poison was the desire neither