Chapter 3

Chapter Three

Charlotte stepped through the revolving doors of Blackthorne Global and took in the soaring marble lobby.

Everything about the building was impressive without trying too hard.

Clean lines.

Glass walls.

Dark wood.

Quiet confidence.

It reminded her of the company itself.

Someone met her almost immediately.

“Good morning, Ms. Hartwell.”

She smiled.

“Charlotte, please.”

The woman returned the smile.

“This way.”

As they crossed the executive floor, Charlotte noticed employees greeting one another by name, conversations flowing naturally despite the obvious pressure of working for one of the largest corporations in the country.

Interesting.

She had expected intimidating.

Instead…

It felt…human.

The receptionist stopped outside a pair of glass conference room doors.

“They’re ready for you.”

Charlotte nodded once before stepping inside.

The room quieted.

She recognized several executives from previous meetings.

Then two men stood.

One with light brown hair that bordered on blond and warm brown eyes that immediately softened with an easy smile.

The other…

Charlotte almost forgot to keep walking.

Black hair.

Blue eyes.

Tall enough that everyone else in the room suddenly seemed smaller.

Well…

She mentally sighed.

Do they grow handsome CEOs around here?

Focus.

You’re here to protect your company.

Not admire the executive team.

She crossed the room with practiced confidence.

“To what do I owe the pleasure of having both CEOs here today?”

The blond man laughed.

“So you noticed.”

“I own a company.”

Charlotte shook his hand.

“Noticing things comes with the job.”

His handshake was warm and relaxed.

“James Sullivan.”

“A pleasure.”

“It certainly is.”

Charlotte laughed softly.

He was charming.

Dangerously charming.

Before she could fully withdraw her hand, another was waiting.

“Darrien Blackthorne.”

She looked up.

Those blue eyes met hers.

For the briefest moment…

The room disappeared.

Their hands met.

Professional.

Steady.

Confident.

Yet neither of them seemed particularly interested in letting go first.

Charlotte recovered before it became awkward.

Barely.

“It’s nice to meet you.”

“The pleasure’s mine.”

Across the table, Darrien silently reminded himself why he was here.

Business.

Only business.

He had spent years learning to keep his gift under control.

Reading someone’s thoughts during a negotiation was no different than reading confidential documents.

He didn’t do it.

Wouldn’t do it.

Especially not today.

He took his seat.

Charlotte sat opposite him.

The meeting began.

James outlined the agenda while everyone settled into place.

Darrien listened.

Focused.

Professional.

Then—

Get it together, Charlotte.

The thought slipped into his mind as clearly as if someone had whispered beside him.

His eyes flicked upward.

Charlotte hadn’t spoken.

She was reading the proposal in front of her.

Darrien straightened almost imperceptibly.

No.

He shut the connection down immediately.

He wasn’t doing this.

Not here.

James continued speaking.

“…our proposal allows Hartwell Industries to remain independently operated while benefiting from Blackthorne’s global infrastructure.”

Charlotte looked up.

“I’ve heard versions of that before.”

James smiled.

“I suspected you had.”

She leaned back comfortably.

“So.”

Her green eyes moved between both men.

“All this for my little old company?”

“It must be something special.”

“It is,” James answered without hesitation.

Darrien met her gaze.

“Extraordinary, actually.”

Charlotte wasn’t expecting that.

Neither was the rest of the room.

She smiled despite herself.

“I appreciate the compliment.”

Then she folded her hands.

“But compliments usually come right before someone asks me to sell my company.”

A few executives laughed.

James grinned.

“I like her.”

“I gathered.”

Charlotte raised an eyebrow.

“You speak about me as though I’m not sitting here.”

James shrugged unapologetically.

“I also assumed you’d call me on it.”

She laughed.

“So far, your assumptions are holding up.”

The room relaxed.

Even the board members seemed less guarded.

Darrien found himself watching Charlotte more than the presentation.

Not because of her appearance.

Although…

He quietly admitted she was beautiful.

It was the way she carried herself.

She never rushed to answer.

Never filled silence simply because it existed.

She listened.

Observed.

Then spoke with intention.

She reminded him of himself.

Which explained far more than he cared to admit.

“…Mr. Blackthorne?”

Darrien realized the room was waiting.

“My apologies.”

He cleared his throat.

“I was thinking.”

Charlotte smiled.

“I would hope so.”

James laughed outright.

“I warned you.”

Darrien couldn’t stop smiling.

“I’ve noticed.”

Charlotte tilted her head.

“About?”

“You’re exactly as stubborn as everyone says.”

She folded her arms.

“I’m going to take that as a compliment.”

“It was intended as one.”

For a heartbeat…

Neither of them looked away.

Then James deliberately cleared his throat.

“I hate to interrupt whatever this is…”

Both CEOs immediately looked toward him.

“…but there are about four hundred million dollars’ worth of discussion points left.”

The room laughed.

Charlotte looked down at the proposal to hide her own smile.

Professional.

Stay professional.

The meeting continued for another hour.

Questions became discussions.

Discussions became debates.

Neither Charlotte nor Darrien gave an inch.

Yet every disagreement somehow left them respecting each other more.

When the meeting concluded, Charlotte gathered her portfolio.

“I’ll review everything.”

James nodded.

“That’s all we can ask.”

Darrien stood.

“I appreciate you giving us your time.”

“I appreciate you respecting mine.”

Their eyes met once more.

Then Charlotte walked out.

James watched the conference room door close before looking sideways at Darrien.

“So…”

Darrien didn’t answer.

“You heard it too, didn’t you?”

That got his attention.

Slowly, Darrien looked at him.

“Heard what?”

James lowered his voice.

“You’ve got that look.”

Darrien hesitated.

“One thought.”

James’ expression changed.

“You weren’t trying?”

“No.”

“That’s…”

James stopped himself.

“…not supposed to happen.”

Across town, Charlotte stepped out of Blackthorne Global and paused on the sidewalk.

She glanced over her shoulder.

The strange feeling she’d had all morning returned.

As though someone…

Or something…

Had noticed her.

The sensation vanished almost as quickly as it came.

Charlotte shook her head.

“You’re imagining things.”

She climbed into her car and drove away.

High above the street, James stood in the shadow of his office window.

He hadn’t followed her.

He’d simply watched her leave.

Something about Charlotte Hartwell refused to make sense.

And if there was one thing James Sullivan couldn’t resist…

It was a mystery.