tional duty early in the day, something larger than her normal responsibilities. It was a high-stakes job: gather

to complete the assignment. "Done." She had succ

message f

s echoing on the marble flooring. The tension between them had been s

*

eady seated behind his enormous mahogany desk, the g

d, his tone c

ith her palms sweating slightly. "I fin

his gaze fixated on her. "I

He had never complimented

esence, so near and authoritative, made her heart race. "You deserve

amien did not reward people; h

she questioned, her v

and took out a little velvet package. She un

expanded.

orming on his lips.

et over her wrist, his fingertips brushing across her flesh. The touch sent shive

s?" She asked, still p

harp and impenetrable gaze fixed on hers.

bination of thankfulness and something else-something far more dangero

aid gently, her vo

le grew. "Th

or

l his breath against her skin. His hand reached o

lied, lowering his voice to a whis

art pounding in her che

ing her reaction. Her breath seized in her throat, and time seemed to halt. Then, witho

ment. But this...this was fire. She was taken aback by the intensity

ed, his lips and tongue dominating hers, seeking a reaction. And, to h

s if she needed something to hang onto. Damien's hands glided do

his breath was hot on her

hammering against her chest.

sed, his voice raspy with

n punishment and reward, fury and desire, were blurred. She didn't know wh

fire," she said softl

k and knowing smile o

isses down her flesh. Her body reacted naturally, sending shivers dow

ged to utter through a trembling breat

liding his lips back up to meet hers in a

e didn't want to acknowledge it, but the way h

y, just enough to say

job, and I will continue to reward you. If you don't, then..." His hand slipped

as playing a deadly game, but it was too late to turn

said softly, her v

is lips brushing across h

intensity dissipating, leaving her

ontinuous reminder of the unusual power dynamics at play. The kiss had startl

ed she shouldn't want him. She understood how risky this was. But she couldn't control

ey gazed at her phone, her hea

ill be more work

air. They had officially blurred the

message

, Ashley. More t