her bare feet hitting the cold hardwood floor. She walked into the bathroom, spla

silence of the massive apartment felt heavy. She headed toward the

she fou

a silver carafe. The morning sunlight poured through the windows, illumina

m for a second, her breath catching slightly

rned smoothly and offered her a

ut, the sleeve of his shirt pulled back slightly. The sunl

e took a sip of the bitter coffee, s

inted out, her tone sharp and observant. "But it doe

id, lacking the nervous energy of an employee sitting with his boss's d

coffee. His expression

tments in the tech sector ye

picked up on his evasive phrasing. He di

ps. "With that commanding aura of yours, you act more

ceramic mug. It was a microscopic tell, but t

tional skills are sharp. Very fittin

t. She picked up her fork and cut into the fluffy omelet Mrs. Davies had left on the

k gaze traced the delicate, s

ted you yet this m

good mood evaporated instantly, rep

the mahogany table. The screen was completel

egg into her mouth. "He's busy. He's managing th

her hand as she set the silver f

r bridal boutique appointment to

her coffee cup, gripping it like a lifeline.

let

clared, lifting her chin in fierce def

, his imposing height instantly casti

t background checks with you today," he stated, his tone leaving no room for argument. "It is f

o tell him she didn't need a babysitter hovering around her apartment. But she met his eyes. The quiet, absolute a

secretly, desperately relieved that she wouldn't be