y day. But today feels different. Today, I'm

h

he knot in my stomach. It's just work, I tel

an extra ten minut

e. My palms are sweating. Ridiculous. I'm Vincent F

e isn't jus

t 6:59. I smile despite myse

ying brown hair and bright green eyes. "Morning, Mr.

I can smell her perfume – something

. Goodman. I trust you

just wing it. Maybe improvise a song

w. "I wasn't awar

s. "That's what would m

ope dangerous. She's funny. Charming. The kin

I can't afford to

for the hotel. Or rather, Penelope ta

e you even lis

ght. "Of course. You were saying

g about the ballroom layout. Are yo

w. "I'm fine. P

as she gestures animatedly. Those hands. I remember how they felt on my s

e thought. That night was a mista

lking about color schemes and floral arran

to be my fake fiancée? What if, for just two months, I let myself pr

r exit. Cursing under my breath, I swerve sh

t! Are you try

ed me Vincent. Not

it sounds o

r, focusing on the road

uld drive on the way back. I'd li

pping the steering wheel, sends an unexpected thrill through me. I push

can feel Penelope stealing glances at me, probabl

impressive structure – all gleaming glass

stles appreciatively. "Not bad, boss. Y

ll smile. "Wait unti

licking on the marble floor. The sound echoes in the

territor

As we step inside, Penelope stumbles slightly. Without thinking, I

fabric of her blouse. She looks up at me, her green eyes wide with surp

the distance between us. Pressing her against the elevator

hand like I've been burned, stepping back quickly. "A

t blush coloring her

between us. I clear my throat. "So, this is the p

ing to the floor-to-ceiling windows.

ooking out over the city skyl

! Can you imagine the events we could host up here? Sunset cocktail parti

es she remember? That night two years ago, whe

ng off ideas faster than I can process them. I watch her, mesmerized by her e

ntoxic

sks suddenly, turning to m

ing. Again. "It all soun

slightly. "Feas

r. "I'm sorry, Penelope. Your ideas a

ry smile on her lips. "Yeah, I

ultimatum. About how I can't stop thinking about that night two years ag

t's nothing. Just

ern evident in her eye

lose, and you smell like jasmine, and all I want t

lie. "Nothing I

oesn't push. It's one of the things I admi

her. "Shall we continue the tour? I believ

change of subject. "Righ

amiliar territory – discussing business, planning events. I can do this

tch her instinctively. Suddenly she's in my arms, her b

spers, making no

y arms tightening around he

robably only a few seconds. Finally, reluctantly, I release

oice slightly higher

sturing down the h

hips, I realize something with startling clar

pite every logical argument against

utely no idea wh