His to Punish, Hers to Revenge

a big m

illy morning wind. This was her dream, the big break she had been looking for. Her instincts urged her to f

." She mumbled to herself as sh

the decisions that had led her here. She felt tiny and out of place. As she neared the elevator, she noticed her

grin, which somehow helped to soothe

appear as apprehensive as s

r. Gary's path. And whatever you do, do no

ach churned.

mething more sinister. Ashley didn't have time to consider wha

Gary's office door looked like the entrance to a lion's cave. Her

l, and his sharp, sculpted features exuded a chilly, threatening aura. His black suit was imp

apping steadily across the top. When she arrived, he did no

Ashley Kelly," she sai

t glancing up from the

s from his massive mahogany desk, fee

son remarked witho

sorry, I di

g her in place. His look was hard and calculated, as if he was determining her worth with a single glance. The fu

I... I'm sorry, I

ward her. He appeared much taller up close, and the air between them seemed to thicken as he closed th

, and she nodded qu

ndicates that you are technologically proficient. But let us be clear about one thing, Ashley, you are not

and swallowed har

s get this straight, Ms. Kelly. I do not accept incompete

challenge, made her want to stand higher. But before she c

s directly opposite mine

s desk. Her fingers twitched, and the familiar yearning crept up her spine. "No, not here or now. "Do not d

her pulse pounding with

have I

*

phone vibrated.

h

My offi

embling with fear. She walked in, feeling his gaze on her from the

arson said, his vo

d, her hand

ack in his chair and watched her intently. "You kn

ecame dry. "

nd decisive, cutting through her ar

wobbled. "I d

mly. "Do you know

erplexed. "You

arkly. "Yes and

blood r

Wha

er heart halted for a second

ople who steal from me?" Carson

eny it, but she couldn'

sand," he stated with his eyes staring at her soul. "If you don't have it

rror took over. She was utter

etly. "I am... a kleptomaniac. I can'

her like a predator. "Your situation does not interest me. Ashley, I do not

she fought to find an exit. "I

ed in, his breath hot on her ear.

have the money. She had nothing left to trade with...Di

illed from her mouth before she could st

and lifted her chin, forcing her to f

tely screwe