the AdVance merger, determined to live up to the expectations she had set. Rachel and the rest of the marke

her thoughts. His commanding presence and sharp intellect made it nearly impossible to forge

ine-tuning the final details of the presentation. She was so engrossed that s

ll h

w feet away, hands casually tucked into his pockets. His presen

polite smile. "I wanted to make sure everythi

aze sharp and discerning. "You'

unexpected compliment. "I just want

, almost imperceptibly.

ly, but before she coul

k with the original proposal and made minor

or warning. "I believe that sometimes playing it safe mean

w a flicker of admiration in his eyes. "You remind me

e better of her.

t a glimpse of something more-regret, perhaps, or the weight of y

said, his voice distant. "You don't get to the to

't help but feel a pang of empathy. She won

d up, his demeanor shifting back to business. "Don't

g a professional tone, even as

she found herself blurt

ncing back ove

hank you. For giving me th

time he gave a small, genuine sm

was holding. She couldn't help but wonder what kind of man lay beneath the steel

as foolish for wa

to be a distraction-a captivating one. She was fearless, driven, and unafraid to challenge him. I

ttachments were liabilities. Yet, as he glanced out at the city skyline, h