“Try another.”
“Distracting.”
I smile. “Good.”
“NOT good,” she snaps. “I can’t work like this.”
“That’s interesting,” I murmur. “Because you’re about to be working with me directly.”
Her entire body goes still.
“What?” she whispers.
“I reviewed the options,” I say. “And I chose you.”
Her voice cracks. “Jaxon… you can’t do that.”
“I can,” I say. “I did.”
Her breath leaves her lungs in a rush. Her grip tightens on the folders like they’re the only thing holding her upright.
“This could ruin everything,” she says softly.
“No,” I answer, stepping even closer, lowering my voice to a slow, deliberate whisper. “This is the beginning of everything.”
She shakes her head, panicked. “You’re not listening..."
“I’m listening toyou,” I say firmly. “Not your fear.”
Her eyes lift to mine, vulnerable, scared, wanting.
“Why me?” she whispers.
I don’t hesitate.
“Because I want you,” I say. “And because you want me too, even if you won’t say it yet.”
Her breath catches.
I lower my tone.
“And because I trust you with this project. I trust your work. I trust your mind.”
Her eyes shine with something she tries hard to hide. Pride. Relief. Longing.
She opens her mouth to argue, but just then,
The intercom crackles to life.
“Attention editorial department,” the admin says brightly. “Mr. Cole has completed his selection for the new executive partnership. Congratulations to..."
Ruby squeezes her eyes shut.
“—Ruby Quinn.”
Her eyes snap open. Wide. Shocked. Wrecked.
I hold her gaze. Steady. Sure.
