I sat down at the conference table, willing myself not to fidget.

It was my first big project. I’d put my skills to good use and managed to work well with the team, even with Parker barking orders. I could take that without a problem. I’d had worse with power-hungry prison guards.

I’d worked really hard to forget Trent and move on. And though it had been rough, I did what was best for my career and my team.

It didn’t mean I wasn’t nervous. I wanted to impress the VPs, and eventually the CEO, under much different circumstances. I hoped to be lucky enough to get that chance and get through this ordeal without burning any bridges.

The rest of my team sat near me on one side of the table—Steph, Miranda, Greg, and Adam. Only Parker was missing, but he wouldn’t be late. He could be a conceited jerk, but he was meticulous. They were still awaiting the VPs, but Steph had mentioned that was typical. They’d arrive together and say their hellos, shake hands, and get started.

They’d already set up their presentation materials, the big screen displaying their opening slide.

“You ready to rock?” Steph asked next to me.

“As ready as I’ll ever be.” I turned to the door of the conference room as the VPs arrived.

And froze.

Trent Davis entered with the other VPs.

Talking with Naomi and Parker, he stood as high and as tight as a military haircut. And he looked fucking gorgeous in a suit tailored to fit his lean body.

What the hell was he doing here?

I heard Steph gasp behind me, and I prayed she’d control herself.

Trent’s gaze landed on me, those rich brown eyes making my heart stop. For a moment, he seemed surprised and confused, the twitch in his brow giving him away. But then the daggers flew at me until I wanted to drop and hide under the table.

“Trent?” Naomi asked when he hesitated.

Our gazes broke, and I searched for an escape route. Could I say I wasn’t feeling well and take off? Or pretend something came up? No, they wouldn’t reschedule on this narrow timeline, and then I’d be out of luck and passed over for any projects in the near future.

Why did I even care? Here it was my chance to shine, but Trent would surely fire me. And if not, his judgment would be clouded. He’d ruin my chances of getting anywhere.

For his sake, I didn’t want to make a scene. I was just starting out, but he had much more to lose. A scandal could set him back or take him out of the running completely. I had no choice. The right thing to do was endure the meeting for as long as Trent would allow. Then beg forgiveness. I didn’t want to lose my job, but knowing I’d wronged him made me more upset. I’d violated his trust and left him hanging.

I was vaguely aware that Naomi was introducing Trent to Miranda, Greg, and Adam on my left, making his way down to me. Trent seemed determined to stay focused on them, but I caught a glance or two whenever I did the same, his expression unreadable.

“And this is Charlie Reynolds, our newest addition to the company.”

“Great to meet you, Mr. Davis,” I said, offering my hand. “A real pleasure.”

Trent took my hand, and I could have grabbed that pink tie and pulled him to me in a millisecond. He smelled wonderful. Just as I remembered. And it brought me right back to that night.

He gazed at me for a second, his eyes soft, something sad in them. Then he nearly crushed my hand in his grip. “Likewise, Charlie. I’ve heard so much about you.”

I tried not to wince at the pain. “I’m flattered.”

“Don’t be,” he replied, causing Naomi to throw him a look. But he’d already moved on.

“This is Stephanie Vincent.” Naomi continued.

Steph took his hand. “Lovely to meet you, sir.”

“Please call me Trent.” He gave her a warm smile, and I crumbled, holding onto the chair behind me.

What cosmic mishap led him straight to my meeting? Karma?

The other VPs and Trent sat down on the opposite side of the table. Trent took a seat just beside the one directly across from me.

Forget him. Just concentrate on the project. On everything you practiced.

Suddenly, Steph’s hand covered my pen. I looked up at her and she gestured to it with her eyes. I must have been furiously tapping it. Fuck these nerves.

Trent wouldn’t make a scene. Right? Do your job, Charlie.

“Morgan had a sudden emergency to tend to this morning, so I decided to step in for the meeting. I’ve only glanced at the team notes,” Trent said.

Morgan had the right idea. Lucky bastard.

Trent looked straight at me. “Charlie, why don’t you give me a summary of the project?”

Parker spoke up on my left. “I can gladly do that, sir.”

“I know you can, but I’d like to hear it from Charlie, being our newest analyst here at NetSmash.”

The group turned to me and I blinked. So this was how he planned to play it.

Fine. Let’s do this, Mr. Davis.

“Of course.” I launched into the description of our project, defining CyGen’s problem, then providing examples of data we used and found in our research, and ending with our unique marketing solution. I was brief but thorough.

When I finished, everyone seemed relieved. Smiles broke out. I’m no slouch. I knew I’d nailed it.

Trent squirmed. “Good” was all he had to say.

Parker took over, beginning our presentation.

By the end, I felt as if I was back in the interrogation room. Not singled out, of course. That would be too obvious. Trent had his way with the entire team, asking probing questions, playing devil’s advocate. The works.

In my opinion, we passed with flying colors. He tried to throw us off our game and make us choke, but we were ready for it at every turn.

“Great job, everyone,” Trent finally said, though again, he didn’t seem happy about it. “I want this proposed to CyGen as soon as you can get them in here.” He got up and grabbed his portfolio. He looked at Naomi. “I’ve got an off-site lunch meeting. I’ll see you later this afternoon.”

Naomi nodded, and Trent took off.

I couldn’t let him leave without talking to him. I jumped up. “I’m going to thank him for his time.”

Naomi started to protest. “But Charlie, he’s—”

That’s the last I heard before the conference door closed. I jogged after him until I caught up. “Mr. Davis!”

He kept walking as I fell into stride next to him.

“Don’t, Charlie. Or whatever you’re calling yourself these days.”

“Mr. Davis, please. I didn’t want to lie to you.”

“But you did.”

“I know, and I’m kicking myself about it.”

“Kick harder.” His back straightened.

“Can we go somewhere and talk?”

“I don’t have time.”

“Then when do you have time?”

He stopped and turned to me, his eyes large and dark. “I don’t ever have time for people like you.”

I felt as if I’d been punched in the face, but I wouldn’t back down. “At least let me explain.”

“What good would that do?”

I shoved my hands in my pockets. “Honestly, I don’t know if it would do any good. But I’m sorry, and I’d like the chance to explain myself without an audience.”

Trent licked his lips and I couldn’t help but be drawn to them. He looked around and grabbed my wrist. Suddenly he was leading me down the corridor until we reached a nondescript door. He opened it and pushed me inside.

I glanced at the room around us and almost laughed. A janitor’s closet.

He shut the door, then leaned against some shelving with his arms crossed. “How much do you want?”

I blinked. “What are you talking about?”

“Blackmail. Or is it not money but something else you want from me?”

“I’m not going to blackmail you, Mr. Davis.” Did he really think that I’d do that?

“Why?” he asked, studying me as if uncertain about anything I had to say.

“That’s not what I’m about.”

“Then what are you about?” His eyes drilled into me.

“I want to get this out so you know where I’m coming from, since I’m sure HR doesn’t brief you, unless necessary.” I took a deep breath. “Before I interned at SixSense, and then got this job, I served five years in the state penitentiary on a variety of charges from possession to burglary.”

Trent looked genuinely shocked.

“I did my time. I’ve worked hard to forget that part of my past.”

“Then why bring it up?” he asked, the frustration in his voice mounting.

“To help you understand the situation better.”

“Start talking,” Trent demanded, echoing my own words from that night.

“On Halloween I was up on the penthouse floor. I just wanted to look around, see where I could eventually be in my career.” I paused. “I panicked when you saw me in the bathroom. I figured you’d fire me if you found out I was up there for no good reason, or worse, think I was trying to stake out the place or catch you off-guard. Which would have been the furthest thing from the truth. But for a guy with my history, it tends to cloud people’s judgment. You’re my idol, Mr. Davis. I look up to you and everything you’ve done. And then, fuck . . . You were even hotter in person than in your photos in Forbes. I lost it.”

Trent bit his lip, and it looked like it hurt.

“I wanted to tell you, but the longer we were together, the more afraid I got. This is my chance to start over and make something of myself after years of bad decisions. I didn’t want to lose everything I’d worked so hard for in one night.” I ran a hand through my hair. “I hated not calling you, but I feared you’d not only want nothing to do with me, but that you’d fire me to protect yourself.”

Trent closed his eyes and pulled at his tie, the stress apparent in his jilted movements. “You were afraid . . . ,” he breathed, opening his eyes and letting his arms fall to his sides.