orning cam

painful brightness of daylight streaming throug

ned, sitting up

s. The one thing she had promis

gh her mind in broken pieces. The club. The stranger. His touch. T

wash the memories away, but they only came back stronger. The way he'd looked a

arted buzzing again from the counter. She qui

ud for Izzy's pounding head. "Who was the guy in your story last nigh

e. "You s

captioned it 'best night ever.' So... talk. Who was he? Don't te

ya, it wasn't like that. I was drunk. I didn't even

cally. "You don't e

through her wet hair. "I just wante

"you looked like yo

to go. I'm late for

tails later," Maya s

a fitted skirt, and heels that pinched a little too tight. She gr

from both nerves and caffeine. The tall glass building loomed o

ple moving with purpose. Izzy took a deep breath and tried to shake off

r to the top floor. Izzy's palms grew sweaty as she

smelled faintly of coffee and expensive cologne. A tall man stood by the wind

ssistant is here," said

rned

breath

d slightly fro

was

from t

stra

sbelief, then quickly masked it. His expres

he secretary before looking at Iz

sir," she managed, her vo

ker of recognition, a sp

smoothly, extending his hand.

ould have. The corner of his mouth curved slightly

le. "Thank you, Mr. Stee

oth pr

ot to know

he tension that now fil

oment his hand brushed hers, she felt it all

ob was going to be a lot more co

eep as he finished a call. Every part of her wanted to look away, but her eyes stayed fixed on h

o focus. This is wor

ned toward the chair in front of

notice how his gaze flicked briefly toward the

r. "Marketing background. Strong recommendations. You'll

hank you for th

ly, studying her. "Do

No... I mean, I just didn't

uched his lips.

t underneath it, she could hear s

his cologne followed. She closed her eyes for half a second.

start early here. Nine sharp means eig

matically... then winced

ow lifted

, Izzy. He's your boss, no

nodded, doing her best to follow, though half of her brain was still ca

ushed hers as he handed her the folder. It was brief, a

" he said quietly. "I

his time there was no hidin

e," she managed, forc

ng the door behind her. Only then did s

lmost immediately: F

: Barely. And you won't

.. the part that said he'

she could har