Saved by the CEO

The crystal champagne flute trembled in Aria Thorne's grip.

Forty stories below, Manhattan sparkled like scattered diamonds on black velvet.

As cold and beautiful as the life she was ready to leave behind.

The annual Thorne Foundation charity gala continued below.

Orchestra music and polite laughter drifted up to mock her.

She'd escaped during her father's speech about family values-the irony almost made her laugh.

Her father's voice echoed in her mind: "Smile, darling. The cameras are watching."

They always were.

But no one had noticed the guest of honor's absence.

No one ever really noticed her at all, except to comment on how perfectly she played her part as business titan Ethan Thorne's dutiful daughter.

The October wind whipped at her emerald silk gown-her mother's favorite color.

Before she'd chosen a cliff over her family twelve years ago.

The anniversary was tomorrow. Maybe that's why tonight felt so right.

Rain had left the marble ledge treacherous.

Her designer heels slipped slightly.

Aria's heart thundered, but she didn't step back.

After months of feeling nothing but emptiness, the fear felt almost welcome.

At least it was real, unlike everything else in her life.

A particularly strong gust caught her dress, making the silk dance around her legs like emerald flames.

The city lights blurred through her tears as she lifted the champagne for one last sip.

The bubbles felt like tiny stars on her tongue.

"That's a very expensive way to get attention, princess."

The deep voice cut through her thoughts like a blade, rich and dangerous.

Heat crept up her spine despite the cold.

Something about that voice made her skin tingle in a way she hadn't felt in years.

She didn't turn around. "You're a long way from the security office."

"Step back from the ledge."

His voice was closer now, careful but commanding.

The kind of voice that expected to be obeyed.

"The marble's slick. One wrong move-"

"That's the point."

A bitter laugh escaped her throat as she raised her glass in mock toast.

The crystal caught the city lights, fracturing them into rainbow patterns.

"Daddy's always trying to control everything. Even how I die."

She let the glass fall, watching it disappear into the darkness.

The tiny glint of crystal vanished like a falling star.

The wind gusted sharply.

Her heel slipped on the wet marble.

Suddenly she was tilting forward, the city lights rushing up to meet her.

Her heart stopped, then raced-

Strong arms locked around her waist like steel bands, yanking her backward.

The scent of leather and masculine cologne flooded her senses.

They hit the rooftop hard, her rescuer twisting to take the impact.

They rolled away from the edge, his body caging hers protectively as loose gravel rained down around them.

The solid warmth of him chased away the October chill.

Lightning flashed, illuminating the darkest eyes she'd ever seen.

They belonged to a face that was all hard angles and shadows.

Handsome in a dangerous way that made her breath catch.

Power and grace contained in an expertly tailored suit.

A thin scar traced his jaw.

This close, she could feel his heart hammering against her chest.

His scent enveloped her-expensive cologne mixed with leather and something uniquely male that made her head spin.

Her body reacted traitorously, warming despite the cold rain.

"Let me go," she whispered, but her fingers had somehow wound into his suit jacket.

The fine wool was soft under her trembling hands.

"Not happening."

His grip tightened as another gust of wind roared past.

Each point of contact between them sent sparks through her rain-chilled skin.

"I don't let go of things that matter."

"You don't know me." She tried to ignore how perfectly she fit against him.

"Aria Thorne. Twenty-five. Yale graduate. Runs the family foundation."

His intense gaze never left hers, dark and burning.

She could drown in those eyes.

"And currently trying to make a permanent exit from a temporary problem."