Page 63 of Shattered Throne

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"That's a first. She's never lovely. She's intimidating and terrifying and occasionally charming, but never lovely."

"She was lovely to me." My car appeared, the valet climbing out. "She kept asking what I saw in you."

"And what did you tell her?" His voice dropped into something teasing. "Was it my charm? My devastating smile? My incredible?—"

"It's none of your business."

"Come on, Kim. Just tell me. I'll give you something special for being a good girl."

Heat flooded my cheeks. "Keep your something special and mind your business."

"You're no fun."

"I'm very fun. You just don't deserve my fun."

He laughed, the sound warm in my ear. "Fine. Keep your secrets. But I will find out eventually."

"Good luck with that." The valet held open my door. "I have to go. My car's here."

"Drive safe."

"I will."

"Kim?"

"Yeah?"

A pause. "I'm glad it went well."

Something fluttered in my chest. "Me too. Goodnight, Xavier."

"Goodnight, Kim."

I hung up and climbed into my car, my heart beating faster than it had any right to.

The next day at work, something had shifted.

It was subtle. The air between us felt different—charged, aware. Every time our eyes met, something sparked. Every accidental touch sent electricity up my arm.

"Here's the Henderson file," I said, setting it on his desk.

"Thanks,girlfriend." He grinned up at me. "How's your day going?"

I gasped. "Don't call me that at work."

"Why not? It's technically true."

"It's technically fake."

"Fake is still a type of true." He leaned back in his chair, stretching in a way that made his shirt pull across his chest. "So. Are you ever going to tell me what you and my grandmother talked about?"

"Nope."

"Not even a hint?"

"Not even a syllable."

"You're cruel."

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