Page 29

“Meaning you've practically monopolized my calendar for the last six months. I can't schedule a dentist appointment without you suddenly needing me in a meeting, but Barry asks me to dinner, and now we're having a discussion about how I spend my time?”

I should have know I'd said too much when Nate pressed a control on the floor selections panel and the elevator slowed to a stop between floors.

“What the hell are you doing?” I stared at him like he's crazy.

He moved closer until my back met the wall, bracing one hand beside my head. Four months ago, Nate discovered that getting this close scrambled my brain for approximately three seconds before my temper returned twice as mean.

“You enjoy provoking me,” he said quietly.

“And you enjoy acting like my social life is any of your business.”

“Everything you do impacts SOLAÉ. That makes it my business.”

“Oh, bullshit.” I folded my arms. “This has absolutely nothing to do with the company, and you know it.”

“Careful, Sloane.”

“Or what? You'll schedule another meeting to discuss my inappropriate use of personal time?”

Nate was close enough that I could smell his cologne, close enough that I could see the tension working through his jaw. His gaze dropped to my mouth, and for one insane moment, I thought he was going to kiss me.

Worse, I caught myself wanting him to.

Instead, he reached past me and restarted the elevator.

“Boardroom,” he said, straightening his cuffs. “The Keller presentation needs your input.”

I stared at him.The doors opened, and Nate adjusted his cuff before stepping into the executive corridor.

“Five minutes, Ms. Harper.”

I remained inside long enough to consider several felonies.

Then I followed him.

Because apparently, Nathaniel Blackwell had made it his personal mission to drive me out of my damn mind.

Six months ago, I would've considered all three of them a headache I wasn't getting paid nearly enough to deal with.

Now, I know how Jace takes his coffee, which days Elias forgets to eat lunch, and exactly how long Nate can go without hearing from me before my phone starts ringing. They've learned just as much about me, including things I haven't gone out of my way to share.

That's the part I wasn't prepared for.

Somewhere between the long hours, the arguments, and the moments that have absolutely nothing to do with work, these men have become part of my everyday life. I look forward to Jace finding excuses to make me laugh, Elias seeking out my opinion, and even Nate summoning me to his office for something he could've handled with an email.

I spent three years getting comfortable with being on my own. No expectations, no disappointments, and nobody having enough access to my life to turn it upside down.

Now I have three men who seem determined to do exactly that.

And the worst part?

I'm not nearly as bothered by it as I should be.

eight

Human Override

I’ve started measuring Sloane’s place in our lives by the problems that disappear before the rest of us notice them.