Page 6 of Executive Privilege

Nicholas nods slowly. "And you restructured your entire presentation around that insight in less than forty-eight hours."

"I restructured it because it was the right approach. The timeline was just what I had to work with."

He's quiet for a moment, studying me with an intensity that makes me feel like he's trying to decide on something. Then his mouth curves into the beginning of a smile.

"Well done, Ms. Reynolds. Morrison Industries is lucky to have you working on their account."

The compliment hits me harder than it should, probably because it's coming from someone who doesn't give praise lightly. Ormaybe because of the way he's looking at me—like I've surprised him in the best possible way.

"Thank you for the data. And the coffee this morning. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have survived without either."

"I noticed you were online, working late. Seemed like the least I could do."

There's weight behind those words, an acknowledgment that he was paying attention to my schedule, my needs. It should feel professional. Instead, it feels personal.

"I should let you get back to your day," Nicholas says, standing up from the conference table. "I'm sure you have implementation planning to do."

"Right. Yes. Implementation." I gather my presentation materials, hyperaware of his physique as he moves toward the door. Broad shoulders, nice butt.

He pauses with his hand on the doorframe, looking back at me even more intensely. "Ms. Reynolds?"

"Yes?"

"I like what I'm seeing."

Ditto.

Then he's gone, leaving me alone in the conference room, wondering if there is something that's developed between us, or if it's just my imagination running away with me.

Chapter 3: Forced Proximity

The Morrison Industries presentation was even more successful than I hoped.

Too successful, if that's possible. Morrison's CEO, Mr. Morrison, called this morning, wanting to expand the project scope significantly. What started as a rebrand has turned into a complete marketing overhaul—they want Event Horizons to handle their digital strategy, social media campaigns, and media placement. Work that's currently split between three different agencies.

Which means instead of spending my Monday evening with my usual takeout and Netflix, I'm back in the Event Horizons office at 8 PM, trying to get ahead on resource allocation spreadsheets and vendor contracts that are way above my approval level. I made a conscious decision after the 'get a life' comment from my sister that if I needed to work outside of hours, I'd do it at the office.

The office after hours feels different. Quieter, obviously, and most of the overhead lights are dimmed, leaving only desk lamps and the glow from computer screens. Without the usual buzz of phone calls and conversations...and gossiping, I can hear the hum of the building's ventilation system and the distant sounds of Austin traffic fifteen floors below.

I'm deep in a complicated calculation involving print timelines and media placement when I hear footsteps on the marble floor.

Nicholas appears in my peripheral vision, carrying his laptop and takeout from the Thai place down the street.

"Working late, Ms. Reynolds." It's a statement, not a question.

"Morrison wants to consolidate all their marketing with us—digital, social, media buying, everything. Which means I need approvals for vendor contracts and budget allocations, so I thought I'd get them ready for you when come in tomorrow. But here you are. Stay tuned to watch me pull a rabbit out of my ...uh, hat next."

My mouth is going to get me in trouble someday.

Nicholas just raises an eyebrow. "I'm aware. That's why I'm here."

I finally glance up at him. He's loosened his tie and rolled up his sleeves again, which somehow makes him look more human and more attractive at the same time. There's something personal about seeing Nicholas Blackwood in a slightly unpolished state that's doing things to me.

"I'm here to help you work on Morrison implementation. I got a notification that you used your fob to enter the office. This expansion affects multiple departments, and you're going to need someone with signing authority for these vendor contracts. I guess we were on the same page, again. I'm a lot of things, but I'm not a bottleneck. So I'm here for you to use me."

He pauses. "For my signing authority."

Was that a joke? I literally can't tell with him.