vy-blue sheath dress. She tucked a stray strand of dark hair behind her ear, a nervous gesture she couldn't seem to stop. The past se

his office, his face flushed with

tie. "Remember, this is the big one. If Sterling Automotive Gro

e picked up her presentation remote, the cool plastic a comforting weight in

roup of men in dark, impeccably tailored suits into the room. They moved wit

presence was so commanding

ductions. She heard the scrape of chairs, the low murmur of voices. A pair of gleaming b

he sme

istakable scent. C

heart hammered against her ribs, a frantic bird trapped in a

yes m

sk of cool indifference, but his eyes... his eyes held a flicker of gen

d. "Mr. Sterling, such an honor to have you. This is my team.

and clattered onto the polished surface of the table

felt the heat of a dozen pairs of ey

spent a week and a small fortune trying to find this w

nd to the employee ID badge clipped to he

eep baritone that sent a shiver down her sp

ng hand in his. His grip was firm, his skin warm. Before she could pull away, his thumb traced a slo

ck as if she'd been elec

er voice steady and professional, explaining complex material science and stress-

uestions sharp, insightful, and aimed directly at her. He fo

he knew her data inside and out. She answered every question wit

ation concluded,

am and I are impressed. However, a project of this magnitude requires a deeper level of due diligence. I'll ne

"Of course, Mr. Sterling. Wh

ng over the other eager engineers before landing,

leaving no room for argument. "She

tip of her tongue. But she saw the look in his eyes. It was a

leading look. The hopes of her entire department, t

s of the trap clo

ve a single, jerky nod. "Of course," she said,

t a happy one. It was the smile of a hunter