"There's nothing to talk about." I meet his gaze, chin lifted. "We had sex. You left. Now we work together. Professionally."
"It wasn't just—"
"I have a meeting in twenty minutes that I need to prepare for." I step around him, holding the door open. "Your office is this way."
He studies me for a long moment, then nods once. "Lead the way."
I turn into his office, hyperaware of his presence behind me. Colleagues glance our way. The new hire always generates interest, and Sebastian Montgomery would turn heads regardless.
"This is you," I say, stopping in the middle of his office. It mirrors mine in layout but lacks personality. "Password for the computer should be under the keyboard. IT will have you change it at first login."
He steps past me into the space, his shoulder lightly brushing mine. The contact, even through layers of clothing, sends a shiver down my spine.
"Thank you." He turns to face me. "Charlotte, I really do think we should—"
"I'll email you those files." I take a step back. "Welcome to TMG."
Before he can respond, I retreat to my office, close the door, and lean against it. My heart pounds like I've sprinted up all fourteen flights of stairs to get here.
Sebastian Montgomery is my new colleague.
Sebastian Montgomery is working with me on my biggest accounts.
Sebastian Montgomery's office is right next to mine.
I sink into my chair, staring unseeingly at my computer screen. The universe has a twisted sense of humor. One night, one incredible, mind-blowing night that I've spent the weekend trying to forget and now he's here, in my professional space, looking unfairly gorgeous and bringing all those memories rushing back.
I open my email, determined to focus on work. Stay Professional. Detached. Unaffected. That's the only way through this.
But as I type the email to him with the Apex files, my fingers hesitate over the keyboard. How do I address it? ‘Mr. Montgomery’ feels ridiculous. ‘Sebastian’ feels too intimate. ‘Bash’ is inappropriate and absolutely out of the question.
I settle on "Mr. Montgomery" and hit send, then immediately begin preparation for my meeting. If I keep moving, keep working, maybe I can outrun the complicated tangle of emotions threatening to derail my carefully constructed professional persona.
This is fine. Everything is fine. I can handle this.
It was just one night.
Chapter seven
Bash
The second hand on the wall clock creeps forward, marking the end of my first day at Titan Marketing Group. I lean back in my chair and let out a long breath. Through the thin wall separating our offices, I hear Charlotte's keyboard clicking away. She hasn't spoken a word to me since our morning introduction, unless you count the painfully formal email with the Apex files attached.
I pull out my phone and dial Tyler.
"Well?" he answers on the second ring. "Did you grovel appropriately?"
"She hates me." I rub my temple where a headache has been brewing all afternoon. "Won't even let me call her Charlie. It's 'Charlotte' now, delivered with ice in her voice."
"Damn. Did you at least apologize like I told you to?"
I stand up, pacing the small office. "I tried. Multiple times. She cut me off every single time. She's giving me the cold shoulder to end all cold shoulders."
"Cold soldier," Tyler corrects automatically.
"What?"
"It's cold soldier. You know, standing at attention, all rigid and—"
