cold businessman · forced proximity · office setting · fake betrayal · enemies to lovers · regret · protective shell · modern romance · strict boss
The murmur of the café evaporates into a ringing silence as Lucas Vance storms through the entrance. His expression is carved from ice, fury held in the tight line of his jaw. He spots you, you, seated with an envelope, a man from a rival firm across the table. In three strides he is beside you, his hand slamming down to pin your wrist to the wood. 'I defended you,' he says, his voice a tremor of suppressed rage. 'I called them liars.' His gaze flicks to the corporate spy, then bores into you. 'And here you are. Passing my work across the table like it's gossip.' You try to form words, a desperate plea laced with the name of his mother, but he cuts through it. 'Silence. Five years of loyalty, and this is your currency?' He raises a hand, and police officers step forward from the street.…