The air was thick with an elusive scent.
A crisp blend of fresh grass and cedarwood.
Laced with something undeniably primal.
Ethan's shirt hung open at the collar.
The sharp lines of his collarbones peeked through.
All traces of restraint had vanished.
Now he resembled a stalking panther.
Dangerous. Predatory.
Sophia still clutched the necklace in her fingers.
The cold metal bit into her palm.
Their gazes locked.
Footsteps echoed outside the door.
The butler's muffled voice came through the wood. "Sir, there's an urgent board meeting."
Ethan's Adam's apple bobbed.
"Understood."
His voice was rough.
The footsteps retreated.
The sheer curtains fluttered in the breeze.
Anyone could walk in at any moment.
The illicit tension made every breath scalding.
Sophia instinctively stepped back.
Her heel caught the edge of the rug.
She wobbled backward.
A strong arm banded around her waist.
Heat seared through the fabric.
"Careful."
Ethan's palm pressed against the small of her back.
Through the thin dress, she felt every ridge of his fingerprints.
Her hands braced against his chest.
Beneath her fingertips, his heartbeat hammered.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Pounding against her nerves.
The wind lifted a corner of the curtain.
Sunlight dappled the floor in shifting patterns.
They stood close enough to count each other's lashes.
Sophia suddenly remembered that night on the cruise.
This same position.
The sound of waves mingling with ragged breaths.
Memories crashed over her.
She jerked back to reality.
"Thank you, Mr. Sullivan."
Her practiced smile returned.
As if the momentary lapse never happened.
"The butler might get the wrong idea."
Her tone was light, almost teasing.
Ethan slowly released her.
But his fingers still tingled with her warmth.
He stared at his empty palm.
Then spoke without warning.
"What are we?"
The question caught her off guard.
Sophia's grip tightened on the necklace.
The edges dug into her skin.
She was a master at deflection.
Yet couldn't bring herself to lie.
"Business partners."
Four crisp syllables.
A boundary drawn.
A reminder to herself.
Profit was the only reliable bond.
Ethan chuckled darkly.
His smile held self-mockery.
"Is that so."
He understood perfectly.
This arrangement had been transactional from the start.
He should've treated her like any other associate.
Maintained professional distance.
Yet his chest constricted strangely.
Not even friends?
"You've always been my most valued partner."
Sophia turned toward the desk.
Needing to break the spell.
The necklace gleamed coldly in the sunlight.
As she bent to place it down—
His hand closed around her wrist.
Skin searing against skin.
Sophia looked up in shock.
Her unspoken words died as Ethan lowered his head.
And captured her lips in a kiss.