ons and the clinking of coffee mugs, but her mind was elsewhere. She was acutely aware of the tension in the air-the kind that always accompanied the announcement of a merger, especiall
Hawke Industries wasn't just any company. It was a juggernaut, a global powerhouse built on ruthless business tactics and an ironclad reputatio
Hawke. He moved with the same effortless grace that he always seemed to exude. His dark suit, impeccable and tailored to perfection, made him look like he belonged in a different world entirely-one that she ha
ers, greeted him, his voice cool bu
Thank you for having me, Mr. Rivers," he said smoothly, his voice deep and controlled. He was
hing about Nicholas-something magnetic-that made him impossible to ignore. The fact that she was now forced to work directly with him on the merger made her feel strangely unsettled. She had heard the rumors, the stor
d, focusing on the matter at hand. The meeting was about to begin. Her
, his voice commanding. "We
ill being laid out, but her mind wasn't on the charts or the financial projections. It was on the man across from her. Nicholas was everything her father had warned h
attention kept straying back to Nicholas. Every time their eyes met, she felt that strange, unnerving pull between them. She knew he was dangerous-she had been told that in no un
as the other board members filed out of the room, exchanging pleasantries as they went. But her ey
e cut through the noise
hing in her throat. "Mr. Hawke," she said, her voice steady, thoug
no mistaking the way he looked at her-his gaze was intense
, his tone just a shade too c
ry, Mr. Hawke," she replied, trying to mainta
g smile. "I think you'll fi
e far side of the room where they could have some semblance of privacy. Once th
low and almost velvety. "You're not like the others in t
ed a beat. "What do
heck than with the bigger picture," he said, his eyes never leaving hers. "But you?
ed to show it. "I'm just here to do my job," sh
"I'm sure you are. But I can't help but wonder what it would
creeping back into her chest. "And
r, "that I think we could accomplish a lot more i
in his tone. Was it just business? Or was there something more beneath the surfac
smile almost kind-though Chlo
nd walked away, leaving her stand