The irresistible power

and every corner of her mind. She had made peace with the fact that he was an enigma, someone whose pre

one at Stone Enterprises. Her first instinct was to decline, to tell herself that it wasn't

t about to let some fleeting attraction distract her. Yet, as she read the invita

his company's headquarters. She'd done research on Ethan Stone b

ion pressing down on her. Ethan Stone wasn't just another billionaire-he was one of the most powerful figures in the business world. And yet

d to reveal a large room with floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a panoramic view of the

oorway, not wanting

collected, but it sent a jolt of electricit

oor. "You seem surprised," she said, her voice laced with curiosity.

ickened. It was as though the distance that had once existed between them had evaporated, leaving

g from me," he said, his voice softer than usual. "But you-"

eyebrow. "Is th

rsweet. "Maybe. Or maybe I just don't kno

ak desk in the center of the room. He motioned for her to sit. "Please, make

but notice how different he seemed when they were alone-less like the powerful businessma

" she said, leaning forward. "But I also

dn't expect you to get straight to the point. But you're right.

ability she hadn't expected from someone who seemed so composed on the surface. She felt

're going to work together, there has to be trust. N

his chair, his expression softening. "You're right. I just..." He sighed deeply, rubbing hi

eyes. It wasn't her place to ask about the demons haunting him, but something about his ra

o do this alone,"

a deeper intensity. "I've been alone for so

e between them had shifted, and though they were still two separate people with differen

here it would lead. But one thing was certain-th

-