s that kept him sane in a world of chaos. Yet, somehow, the moment Lily Hart entered my life, all my

ntriguing. Too fiery. Every word she spoke, every gesture she made, pulled me in deeper. The fact that she was a woman who had built an empire on her own terms made her all the mo

more force than necessary. My first step into her space

e, and for a moment, I saw the recognition in them-the same damn wariness that always accompanied our interact

n that calm, commanding tone I knew made an impact. "

tightening of her jaw, the quick rise of her chest as she inhaled. She was already bracing herself for anoth

oice cool and skeptical like s

shut behind me. "We're going to be working together soon. I figured it woul

le playing at the corners of her lips. "I think I already kno

there was something in her eye

es. I leaned forward just enough to let the challenge settle between us.

with defiance. "You're awfully confiden

ge, "I know more than you think. And I'm not the on

er of concern-maybe even curiosity, but then it was go

e asked, leaning forward slightly,

my radar since the moment I heard about LushGlow. And I've seen everythin

efiance. That fire in her that I couldn't resist. She was

an," she said, her voice dripping with

n," I said, letting my tone dip lower, more intimate. The game was on

e slightest bit as she tried to hide the effect I had on her. "You're full of yo

e between us now almost nonexistent. "I'm full of certainty. And I'm certain th

ng it. I leaned in just enough that she could feel my presen

hat works. I know what makes a company like yours succeed. And I can make sure LushGlo

r eyes never leaving mine.

the truth was, she was more than just a little afraid. The woman was proud, but she was also

ou're not stupid, Lily. You know this business world is a battlefield. And in this battlefield, you'll need an ally

uck a nerve. She was calculating her next move-probably wondering whether to call my bluff or just tell

actly where

her ground, even though I could see the uncertainty flickering in her eyes. She was a challenge. A

hread that seemed to get stronger every time I was near her. Her reactions to me were r

e tension. "What's your next move, Miss Hart? Becau

oyance and determination returning to her face.

slow, knowing smile. "I'm just showing you

e about that," she muttered under her breath, but I caught it. Th

tching as the temperature be

challenge her way. "You'll thank me later, Miss Hart. I'm

d shut behind me, I kn

was just