His dark-blond hair is slightly neater than last night, but not by much. He still looks like himself. Just… powerful.
My brain takes a second to catch up. Lucien Blackthorne. The name lands like a small explosion in my head. Blackthorne. As in Blackthorne & Sterling Capital. As in the name on the building. Lucien Blackthorne. The owner’s son.
What the hell is happening?
Lucien looks at me and for a brief second there’s surprise in his eyes. Then something else replaces it. Something quieter.
Andrew continues talking, oblivious. “I’ve heard a lot about you from your father,” he says, shaking Lucien’s hand. “We’re glad you’re stepping into a larger role here.”
Lucien nods politely. But his eyes never leave mine. Andrew notices the silence and glances between us. My brain scrambles for something normal to do. Professional and standard. “Hello, Mr. Blackthorne,” I say evenly. “Pleasure to meet you.”
Lucien’s mouth curves slightly. “Lucien is fine,” he says.
Then, after a beat, his gaze settles on me again.
“Era.”
CHAPTER 7
Lost
Andrew looks between the two of us. Lucien and I are both staring at each other, like the rest of the room has suddenly faded into the background. Andrew clears his throat. “Ehem—” That small sound finally pulls my attention away.
“Mr. Blackthorne,” Andrew says, gesturing toward me. “This is Era. She’s my secretary.”
Lucien tilts his head slightly, studying me with quiet curiosity. “Huh,” he says softly.
His eyes linger on mine for a moment longer than they should. Andrew notices. His expression shifts slightly the moment Lucien speaks. He gives Lucien a quick nod, stepping back a little, but there’s something tight in his jaw now, something almost awkward.
“Well,” Andrew says lightly, glancing between us. “I’ll… have to introduce you to James, let me find him.” And just like that, he excuses himself and walks away. Leaving the two of us standing here. Lucien watches him go for a moment. Then his attention returns to me. A small smile touches the corner of his mouth. My head snaps toward him.
My irritation spikes. “This is ridiculous,” I say while walking to my cubicle. “First the plane, then the hotel, then the bar and now the office.” I shake my head. “This is way too coincidental.”
Lucien’s mouth curves slightly as he walks beside me.
“Funny.”
“What?”
“I was about to say the same thing.” He tilts his head slightly, studying me. “I’m starting to think that you were following me.”
I let out a sharp breath. “Right,” I mutter. “Because stalking the owner’s son would really help my career.” I sling my bag over my shoulder and take a step toward the hallway. “I should go.” My voice comes out sharper than I intended.
Lucien doesn’t move. He just watches me. And suddenly I hear it, the edge in my own voice, the nervousness, the way my heart is beating a little too fast.
I stop. Exhale.
Then I turn back slightly. “Sorry,” I say more quietly. “Today’s just been… a lot.” Which is only half the truth. The other half is that seeing him again feels dangerous. Not because of who he is. Because part of me wants to be near him.
Lucien studies me for a moment. Then he says casually, “Come with me.”
I blink. “What?”
“Let’s go somewhere.”
I hesitate. A hundred reasonable decisions flash through my mind. All the ways this could be a bad idea but I also remember the way I snapped at him, the edge in my voice, and the quiet patience in his.
I exhale. “Why not. Let’s go.”
