ith a dull, resonant thud. The sound ripped through the of

eather sofa in front of the fireplace, Sloane Kensington was leaning against Julian, her head nestled int

f she'd been burned. She scrambled to sit up straight, smoothin

mask of cold fury. His eyes, the color of a stormy sea, narrowed as he stare

ch clicked into place with a sound of finality, sealing the three

the hardwood floor as she advanced towards them. Each ste

igned innocence. "We were just discussing the jewelry pairings for the ex

ion. She was a ghost, a non-entity. Her entire focu

e guest list down on its polished surface. The

"On what authority do you override my project team and

e of arrogant nonchalance. "On the authority that my name is on the front of thi

as breathtaking. "A shrew? You bring your mistress i

s' hung in the ai

es, threatening to fall but never quite spilling over. A masterful performance. She bit h

s all i

enough!" he roared, surging to his feet. His sheer size was intimidating, cast

without flinching. Her own eyes were chips of ice. "I will not. This is n

cked up her designer handbag, her voice trembling.

e said nothing, his eyes locked on Arden's d

voice flat. "We'll

She recovered instantly, her expression melting back into wounded grace. Without another word, she walked past

ehind was heavier than

s predatory, backing her up until her hips hit the sharp edge of the credenza behin

r. "Don't forget how you got this position, Arden. Don'

curity. The carefully constructed walls around her heart crumbled. The color dra

placed her hands on Julian's chest and shoved. Hard. The unexpected move caught h

"Three years, Julian. Three years of being punished for someth

adable, the storm in his eyes flicker

turned and walked towards the doo