Chapter three.

Bridget arrived at Ridge Enterprises at 7:42 a.m. on Monday. She wasn’t giving Alexander Hale the satisfaction of calling her late.

The lobby security guard nodded like he already knew her name. The elevator ride up felt longer than last week, her reflection in the mirrored walls showing a girl who’d spent the weekend replaying one brush of fingers and one low-voiced threat. She’d changed outfits three times this morning before she settled on black trousers, white silk blouse, hair pulled into a tight ponytail. Very professional.

She stepped off on the twenty-third floor. The corridor was quiet, lights still half-dim. His office door was open.

Alex stood at the window, back to her, phone to his ear. Dark suit. Sleeves already rolled to the forearms. The sight hit her like caffeine straight to the veins.

He turned. Eyes found hers instantly.

“You’re early,” he said to her without a smile. Just that steady, assessing look.

“Thought you’d appreciate punctuality.” She walked in without waiting for permission. Dropped her bag on the guest chair. “So. What’s my first task, boss?”

He ended the call. Set the phone down. Crossed to the desk and leaned against it, arms folded.

“First task is listening.”

She raised a brow. “I’m all ears.”

He studied her for a beat too long. “Your father dropped you off.”

It wasn’t a question.

“He did.” She shrugged. “Said you moved back closer to Evergreen Ridge. Wanted to be around more. Called you a good man.”

Alex’s mouth twitched. Not quite a smile. “He’s biased.”

“Or blind.” The words slipped out sharper than she meant.

His eyes narrowed. “Careful.”

She stepped closer. Close enough to smell his cologne. Something woodsy and expensive. “You said don’t test you. I’m not. I’m just here. Doing the job.”

He pushed off the desk and moved behind her chair like he had last week. She felt the shift in the air pressure.

“Turn around.”

She did.

He was closer now. Close enough she had to tilt her head back to meet his gaze.

“You smell like trouble,” he murmured. His voice was gravel.

Her pulse kicked. “And you look like you want to taste it.”

His hand came up and brushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear, his thumb lingering.

“You have no idea what you’re asking for.”

“Then enlighten me.”

His gaze dropped to her mouth and stayed there. The room felt smaller. She could feel her own breath coming faster.

He leaned in, their lips almost touching. Almost.

She felt the heat of him, the promise of it then the elevator dinged down the hall.

Voices.

Then a laugh she knew too well.

Jake.

Bridget jerked back, Alex straightened.

Jake strolled into the office like he owned it, blond hair tousled, grin wide and easy. He carried two coffees. Didn’t even glance at Alex.

“Bridge.” His voice was warm honey. “Missed you.”

She crossed her arms. “What are you doing here?”

“Dad gave me the address. Said you started today.” He held out a coffee. “Caramel latte. Your favorite.”

“I don’t want it.”

Jake’s smile didn’t falter. “Come on. Coffee. Catch up. Five minutes.”

Alex stepped forward, and in a low voice, “Meeting’s over. Go home, Jake.”

Jake finally looked at him. Smirked. “She’s a big girl, Alex. She can decide who she talks to.”

Bridget felt the air thin. Alex’s jaw was so tight she thought it might snap.

She turned to Jake. “Leave.”

Jake’s eyes flicked between them. “Oh. I get it.” He laughed once. “Didn’t peg you for the type, Bridge. Older guys? Really?”

“Get. Out,” she said through her teeth.

Jake raised both hands. Backed toward the door. “Fine. I’ll go. But we’re not done talking.” He looked at Alex. “She’ll come around. She always does.”

The door clicked shut behind him.

Silence.

Bridget’s hands shook as she balled them into fists.

Alex didn’t say anything.

She spun on him. “Don’t.”

“Don’t what?”

“Don’t look at me like that. Like I invited him here.”

“I didn’t say you did.”

“You didn’t have to.” She laughed, bitter. “You were about to kiss me thirty seconds ago and now you’re glaring like I’m the one playing games.”

His eyes flashed. “He doesn’t get to walk in here. Doesn’t get to talk to you like that.”

“And you do?”

He stepped closer. “I’m not the one who hurt you.”

“No.” Her voice cracked. “You’re just the one who’s supposed to be watching out for me. Like a good friend of the family.”

Something raw flickered across his face.

He reached past her, grabbed his phone off the desk. Thumbed something fast.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket.

She pulled it out.

Alex: *He doesn’t touch you. Ever.*

Her breath caught.

She typed back before she could think.

*Jealous?*

His reply was instant.

*Furious.*

Her pulse thundered in her ears.

She looked up at him. He hadn’t moved. Just watched her, eyes dark and unreadable.

“I have to go,” she said. Voice small.

He nodded once. “Go.”

She grabbed her bag and walked out.

The hallway felt endless.

She made it to the elevator. Doors closed. She leaned against the wall, head back, eyes closed.

Her phone buzzed again.

Dad.

*Jake stopped by the office. Nice boy. Said he wanted to surprise you. Hope it went well.*

She stared at the message until the screen blurred.

Nice boy.

Her thumb hovered over reply, but she didn’t type anything.

Instead, she opened Alex’s thread.

His last message still glowed there.

*Furious.*

She typed one word.

*Good.*

Hit send.

The elevator dinged at the lobby.

She stepped out into the rain that had started again, knowing she’d just lit the match.

And that the fire was already burning.