he silence, his voice low and husky. "I think that's enough for

appointment. She didn't want the moment to e

ave, Ryan's voice s

to him, her hear

ntensity. "Be careful around Marc

e knew that Ryan was trying to protect her, but she

g that she was caught in a web of intrigue and deception. But

ne buzzed with an incoming text from Ka

Karen's friendly tone put her at ease. "It's been an interesting

te. "What do you mean?" she

secrets up his sleeve," she replied, her eyes scanning the office to make sure no one was listening.Karen'

colleague. "Let's just say that Ryan's not as stuffy as I

Emma. Ryan's got a reputation for being ruthless

th questions. What did Karen mean by "ru

n's office. "Emma, can you come back to my office for a minut

hat Ryan wanted now. "Of course," she replied

steeled herself and pushed open the door, ready to face whatever lay ahead.Ryan looked up from his desk as Emma ent

curiosity pique

ther. "I need you to book a flight to New York for me. I

start searching for flights. "Okay, go

is gaze intense. "I need to arrive by 8

rge of determination. "Ye

way Ryan's eyes seemed to linger on her. She felt a flutter in her ch

eaking the spell. He answered, his

a sense of relief wash over her. She couldn't believe the way

nt the rest of the day in a daze, trying to focus on her work but unable to shake the feeling that Ryan's ey

h of relief. She packed up her things and headed out of t

the next day would bring. She was supposed to accompa

her bag on the floor and collapsed onto the couc

, Emma's phone buzzed. She opened

flight details for tomorrow. We'll be

d the text. She felt a flutter in her

eel like she was in way over her head?Emma tried to shake off the feeling of unease, telling herself she was just being

in the mirror. She looked pale and nervous, and she could

ation wash over her. Tomorrow was going to be a

buzzed again. She groggily reached over to the night

known number. "Be careful around Ryan Thompso

the message. Who was this mysterious p

couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.Emma tried to push the mysterious text out of her mind, bu

they mean by "Ryan's not what he see

. She couldn't sleep, her mind consumed b

fted off to sleep, exhausted. But her rest was fitf

of bed, feeling like she'd been hit by a truck. She stumbled thr

rom Ryan. "Good morning, Emma. Don't forget, our flig

t as she headed out the door, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was waiting for her, just around the corner.As Emma made her way to the airpo

g for her by the check-in counter. He looked sleek and po

id, flashing her a charming

. She was determined to stay professional,

elp but notice the way Ryan seemed to command attention. Everyone they

at they were flying first class. She had never experienced

ome. He settled into his seat, orderi

ash over her. She was really doing this – she was workin

eling that there was more to this trip than met the eye. W

a leaned back in her seat, her mind racing