d remained tethered to that encounter with Matt. She hated how he managed to throw her off balance, turning what should ha

folder Matt had left her now sat open on her desk, its contents spread out like a challenge waiting to be conque

e. His alternative

d under her breath, pu

oor pulled her f

racing herself for whatever cris

wasn't

casually over one shoulder. The late afternoon light streaming through the win

here?" Raven demanded, her

uce," he said, smirking as h

she shot back. "It's

, Raven. I'm not here to cause trouble. I just figu

laring at him. "I don't

k. His eyes flicked to the scattered papers, his smirk widenin

d. "Don't fla

esk, his proximity irritatingly inv

I've seen interns come up w

inger on one of the pages, "you

refused to rise to his bait

unusually serious. "And whether you like it or not, we

oo practiced in the art of persuasion. But damn it, he was right-if this project fai

going to barge into my office unannounced, yo

r begrudging agreement as a v

ers back into the folder and thrusting it tow

tead, he tilted his head, studying her wi

" she

e dropping slightly, "you're

be you'll think twice befo

or. But just before he left, he glanced back over his sh

said, "you're better at th

staring after him, her heart poundin

ents in her mind. Every conversation with Matt felt like a battle, a test of wits and willp

Or was it the way he challenged her, forc

head, dismissi

ject, the company, and proving to herself-and to

ty below, she couldn't shake the feeling that this truce of theirs wa