as a wall of expensive wool and barely restrained anger. He

hing sharp, like bergamot-filled her senses, making he

aze. "Mr. Sterling," she said, her voice dripping wit

. "Ms. Hayes? That's not what you

hot flush of shame creeping up he

e bit out. "A mistake I

tips tracing a line along her jaw. The touch was

ead away, repulsed

kened. The temperature in the hall

voice a silken threat. "It could be a very big problem. Or i

. She stared at him in disbelief. He was

have once felt for him turned to ash.

n?" she whispered, the f

transactional assessment. He pushed himself off the wall, creati

t time,"

ked, confu

w, conspiratorial murmur, meant only for her. "Spend the night with me. On

n her skin felt v

er. She pushed against his chest, her hand coming u

d, his grip like steel. His fingers dug

, struggling against his ho

his is the simplest solution for eve

terly, terrifyingly serious. A chasm of despair opened up beneath h

hot path down her cheek. She took a ragged breath. When sh

y. It sounded distant, hollo

ond. He had expected more of a fight. It was q

ed his suit jacket and adjusted his cufflinks, transformin

onight. Four Sea

ing look, then turned and wa

ive out. The cold of the brick seeped through her thin b

n Sterling; Leo talked about his father's car all the time. Curious, the boy glanced toward the corner Mr. Sterling had just

phone and sent a

ur dad. He was in the hall g

ow furrowing in confusion an