CHAPTER SIX

Aria’s POV

The Kane Enterprise building cut the sky in half.

Noah parked in a reserved slot three spaces from the main entrance and killled the engine.

Silence immediately filled the car. Thicker than it was on the highway.

I had my hand on the door handle before he moved.

I needed air and space from his engulfing presence.

The door opened with that same quiet, expensive thud.

I stepped out of the car with shaky. Like I’d been holding my breath for twenty minutes.

I didn’t look back.

I made it three steps before his voice hit my spine.

“Miss Sinclair.”

He called out to me.

I turned.

He was already out of the SUV. Tablet in hand. Walking toward the private elevator like I wasn’t there. Like I hadn’t just spent twenty minutes dissecting his reflection.

I followed quietly behind him.

We step inside the lobby.

The lobby was expensive looking, from the marble tiles to tinted glass windows. Everything showed luxury. Employees parted when they saw Noah. Not for me. For him.

He didn’t smile. Didn’t nod. Didn’t even acknowledge them.

He was a ghost in a black tee.

We entered his office, which had Floor-to-ceiling windows and the whole city at his feet.

He set his tablet on a desk that looked carved from obsidian and tapped once.

“Your itinerary.” A file slid across the surface toward me. “Damian wants the Q3 projections revised by four. Legal needs the merger addendum. Page seventeen, clause four. You’ll sit in on the 2 PM with West Corp.”

No please or even a good morning.

Just work.

I picked up the file. “Got it.”

His pale eyes flicked to mine. For One second, before flicking back to his screen in dismissal.

I left before he could change his mind.

My office was the size of a closet compared to his. But at least it had a door and a lock I didn’t trust.

I dropped into the chair and got to work. The numbers blurred and before I knew it lunchtime had come and go. I didn’t move. Food was for people who didn’t have grumpy bosses to impress, plus the merger addendum needed absolute focus. I was halfway through rewriting it when the air changed.

“Can I help you.”

I didn’t look up but I could already tell who it was by the scent of his seductive cologne.

Luca leaned against my doorframe as if he owned it. He was dressed casually and holding out two takeout containers.

“Relax, sweetheart.” His grin was slow. “You look like you might need this.”

My hands stilled on the keyboard.

Need this.

Like I was some stray he found in the rain. His eyes caught mine and his grin faltered. “Shit..not like that. You look tired, that’s all.”

He stepped inside uninvited and drops the container on my desk. Way too close to the Merger documents.

I shot up. “Careful… that’s—l”

He moved quickly, sliding the documents out of the way. His fingertips brushing mine for half a second.

“Now eat.” He tapped the lid. “You can’t bleed for Kane Enterprise all day.”

I dropped back into the chair. Crossed my arms. “Mr. Kane wants this by four. So I’m finishing it.”

Luca’s smile went sharp. “Last I checked, I’m also Mr. Kane.” He leaned down and pressed both his palms flat on my desk. Caging me in. “And this Mr. Kane says eat.”

His voice dropped. “Or do you only take orders from my brother?”

My jaw locked.

I hated that my stomach picked that second to betray me. Luca’s smirk deepened. “That wasn’t an order, sweetheart. That was your body calling my bluff.”

I grabbed the container before I could talk myself out of it. The plastic was still warm and grease was seeping out of it.

I popped the lid open and steam hit my face. Burger, Fries, Salt, and char, and something sweet in the sauce.

I must be in heaven. I closed my eyes and savored the delicious smell of the junk food. I’d skipped breakfast this morning because of Damian. And now my stomach isn’t having any of it.

I took a bite.

A moan of satisfaction slipped out of my mouth.

“That good, huh?”

My eyes flew open.

Luca hadn’t moved. Still caged over my desk. But his eyes…

They weren’t on the burger.

They were on my mouth.

Heat slammed into my cheeks. I swallowed so fast I almost choked. “Where did you…”

“Secret.” He pushed off the desk finally. Giving me air. Giving me space I didn’t ask for. “A Kane never reveals his sources.”

I shoved another fry in my mouth to avoid answering.

Because he was looking at me like I was the meal.

Like he’d been starving.

I blinked, Looked down and Looked back up. But the look was still there.

We finished the remainder of our meal in silence. Me, pretending the Q3 projections were fascinating. Him, pretending he wasn’t cataloging every time I licked salt off my thumb.

Immediately the Container was empty.

I cleared my throat. Shoved the trash aside. “All done. Can I get back to work now?”

My voice came out sharp. Like I was irritated. Like I hadn’t just inhaled a burger because he brought it.

Luca just grinned and stood up.

“See you later, Miss Sinclair .” He tapped the doorframe twice on his way out.

The door clicked shut.

My eyes dropped to the empty container. Grease spot shaped like a fingerprint on the Q3 projections.

Right over clause four.

The one Luca just touched.

Fuuuuckk.