ost in thought. Ethan Montgomery ha

e was unlike any sh

ne was a dream opportunity for anyone in her field

he'd ever met, and the attraction

"This could be the chanc

giving her a chance to prove herself in a wa

career of independen

hought of relying on someone like Ethan Montgomery, so

ower dynamics as it was about business? Could she cope

terrupted her thou

is voice came, s

u an opportunity to c

ent to collect her thou

sidering it. It's an enticing offer

huckled

 that. Let us meet again tomorrow, sha

und herself back at Montgomery

the sleek, modern building, but this time, the air felt charged

avoidance of personal ties was as

time the vibe was ever so slightly different. He seemed more at ease, but just as

e. "I understand this is a major decision, and I want to

ands folded on the t

-risk, you said. What's the real catch

he gave her question some thought. "The risk is high,

do not succeed, the costs will be great. But that's exactly why

refully. He was not s

it going to be without its perils. Bu

 person for this? " she said, her voice steady

our career around your expertise and around your ability to ge

ll continue to s

lf to suppress the flash

s, and this could be the chance to show the world

you're offering. But what's your stak

r, his face more serious. "Becaus

typical limits of business, no

ions, and was taught that the line between success a

e was paying her a compliment t

longer the only

attraction, one that was

hts quickly. Now was not

roject. But there is o

n eyebrow. "An

ing strategy. I don't want to

I have to be in complete contr

learly weighing her words. Then, fi

ll control. I trust y

they made up the contract,

ing massive, something tha

Sophia threw herself into the

meetings, setting the marketing strategy for the prod

every passing day as they sta

had been magnetic in a way: his quiet confidence, his sharp mind, the way he perceived the world so differ

etting emotionally invol

siness to him an

they spent more time together that she started to see glimpses of

ook Sophia to dinner at a nearby restaurant. It was a casual gesture, but the way he extended the invit

orner table, surrounded by th

ssed the project but al

nything besides business,

nal life private," he said, his voice

the more you let them in,

uched by the vulnerability he revealed. "I get that," she replied softly. "It's t

on each other f

if the world outside the

al respect, a bond that exceeded

ved, it left. Ethan rose, his fami

," he said, in a light tone. "The p

mind was racing with everyth

iable, as was the line both had draw

rant, Sophia had no idea wh

h feet, but what would happen when their

ded, or had she already fallen for the billionair