“I think others in the company are still loyal to Mark—afraid of him, maybe, or hoping he’ll make a comeback.”She turned and paced slowly behind the chair, her voice steady.“But Steve and Joannie?They’re the leaders of the resistance.The ones whispering in the halls and sowing doubt.”
She stopped pacing and faced him.“I’d estimate seventy-five percent of the employees are optimistic now that he’s out.Several told me they’d been considering resigning—but they’re staying because they see me stepping up,” she gestured toward the stack of reports.“But if I don’t remove the ones undermining progress from within, Iwilllose them.”
Jemma clasped her hands together and held her breath.She studied Saif’s face, trying to read his expression.He was so still—too still—and that made her nervous.
She’d worked herself to the bone over the past week, meeting with staff individually, rebuilding trust, researching suppliers, and revamping production.She had a vision.Sheknewshe could save this company.But only if she was allowed to cut out the rot.
And eventually, she needed to rebrand.“Sinstack Designs” still carried the stink of Mark.It whispered his name through the halls, even though he was gone.She needed a clean slate.A shift in mindset.Something bold.Something fresh.
Saif stood suddenly, his hands sliding into his pockets as he gave her a measured look.
“Fine,” he said.“I’ll set the changes you suggested today.”
Jemma’s breath left her in a quiet whoosh.Her shoulders dropped with relief, and a genuine smile broke across her face.
“Excellent.Thank you.”
She was still smiling when Saif’s next words landed like a boulder between them.
“Now,” he said casually, “let’s discuss our wedding.”
Chapter 25
Saif watched as Jemma’s expression shifted—first from excitement to confusion...and then to outright horror.
Not quite the reaction he’d been hoping for.
“Wedding?”she echoed, her voice a strangled whisper, disbelief flashing across her face.
“Yes,” he replied calmly, stepping closer.“Our wedding.I’ve considered the situation carefully and reviewed custody options with my legal team.”He exhaled and ran a hand through his hair.“The only practical way we raise our daughter together is if we get married.”
Jemma’s jaw dropped.“But—!”
“Are you going to pretend there’s no attraction between us?”he interrupted, taking another step forward.From where he stood, he could see the quick flutter of her pulse at the base of her throat, the way her breathing hitched.
“Yes!”she gasped, fingers curling into tight fists at her sides.
He stopped just inches from her now, his eyes gleaming with something hot and dangerous.“So if I touched you...like this,” he murmured, letting one finger trail slowly down the soft skin of her bare arm, “you’d feel nothing?”
She leaned into the touch before she realized it—then pulled back as if burned, arms wrapping protectively around her middle.
Saif smiled, the kind of slow, knowing smile that made her stomach drop.
“Youdofeel it,” he said, satisfaction curling in his voice.“Which makes marriage the perfect solution for our...situation.”
“We don’thavea situation,” she insisted, but her voice faltered.She stepped away from him, needing distance, needing space to breathe.“We have a daughter.That’s not the same thing.”
He shoved his hands into his pockets to keep from grabbing her, dragging her close and showing her exactly how much itwasstill the same thing.But he held himself in check.
“Then explain,” he said, voice quiet now.“How do you suggest we raise Jayla—together?”
Jemma opened her mouth, then closed it again.She bit down on her lower lip, clearly flustered.
Saif’s breath caught.
God, that mouth.
“We could—”
