Lucas hung nearby, acting as my private driver and bodyguard. He was there only for show because I certainly didn’t need a man to fight my battles. When I hired him, I just needed him to navigate me through the city so I could keep working in the back seat, but he offered more extensive services. After working for me for years, he’d developed a strong sense of protectiveness over me.

Loyalty was far more valuable than a paycheck, so I accepted his offer.

Jessica and Courtney trailed behind me, their notepads ready for anything that I could possibly need. They stood in silence, scanning the room and informing me of anyone important coming my way. They were my professional entourage, providing an intimidating circle that made business associates think twice before approaching me.

If I were alone, I wouldn’t be able to bat the flies away.

A man in a black suit approached me from against the back wall of the auditorium. His suit stretched over his strong shoulders, his tailored outfit obviously the work of Armani. A powerful body was hinted underneath the collared shirt and jacket, and I suspected there was a wall of muscle tucked away. I only allowed him a short glance, keeping my thoughts and reactions buried within my green eyes. I didn’t recognize his face, and I wondered if he was an aspiring businessman.

With looks and confidence like that, he’d probably make it.

Jessica interposed her body in his way, cutting him off before he could walk up to me. “Hello, sir. Can I help you?”

He stared at her with his hands resting in his pockets. The look wasn’t hostile, but his deep brown eyes exerted so much power it filled the room like humidity. He never tore his look away from her, silently commanding her to step aside.

Jessica visibly shrank before my eyes, turning into melted butter right there on the floor. Whether it was his obvious attractiveness or his radiating power, it wasn’t clear what made her take a large step to the left.

My assistant needed to get a backbone.

Now there was nothing in this man’s way, so I faced him with my hands together at my waist. I didn’t flinch the way Jessica did, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t affected by his stern countenance. He had a square jaw that was chiseled into masculine perfection. A five o’clock shadow sprinkled his jaw even though it wasn’t even noon yet. His cream-colored collared shirt was pressed over a hard chest, the muscles of his pecs hinted at beneath the fabric. His eyes were brown like a hot cup of coffee on a fall afternoon, but they shone with a depth as cold as a winter morning. He stared at me with the same hard expression he gave my assistant, not the least intimidated by me. Men surveyed me with mixed opinions, some respecting me and others doubting my work. Men were sexist without even realizing it. So far, I couldn’t tell how this man viewed me.

Words weren’t spoken, but a conversation carried on between us. It was a silent battle of confidence and power. He seemed to be testing me, but I was also testing him. The longer neither one of us spoke but kept our certainty, the more assured we seemed.

I had all day.

He pulled his right hand out of his pocket and extended it to me. “Diesel Hunt.”

Now I understood the subtle hostility. I took his hand, feeling his powerful wrist under my grasp. I purposely squeezed my hand a little harder than his, needing to project the same kind of strength that oozed from his pores. “Tatum Titan.”

His fingertips were callused as if they hit the keyboard for too many hours of the day. His skin was warm to the touch, his testosterone-pumped muscles producing heat like a furnace in the middle of January. His hand was significantly bigger than mine, overpowering my grasp with brute size. I made up for petiteness with strength, giving him a harder squeeze before I dropped my hand.

I’d heard the rumors about him. That he was tall and handsome, a bit of a ladies’ man. Usually, rumors were exaggerated, and sometimes, completely false. But everything I had heard about him was dead-on.

He was something else.

He didn’t return his hand to his pocket but rested it at his side. “I enjoyed your speech.”

And the assholes who continued to undermine me—unsuccessfully. “I doubt a man as experienced as yourself learned anything new.”

His chocolate-colored eyes narrowed, focusing on my lips for just an instant. “That’s a compliment coming from you, Ms. Titan.”

I let my lips soften into a smile.

“But you must not think that highly of me if I can’t get you on the phone for two minutes.”

I wasn’t stupid enough to think this topic wouldn’t arise. He obviously had his determination set on me, interested in one of my businesses. I liked to work alone, and from what I understood, he did too. “I have two minutes now, Mr. Hunt.”

His eyes concentrated on my own, and he took a slight step forward. He was definitely in my personal space, his power infecting every corner of the room. Like a gentle hum in my ear, I could actually hear it. With a height that far exceeded my own, even in heels, he had to be at least six foot three.

I liked tall men.

“I’m a man that lasts longer than two minutes, Ms. Titan.”

Whether he meant to make the inference on purpose, I picked up on the innuendo. He exuded sex by the gallon, and I was surprised he didn’t smell like a woman’s perfume right then. He probably had women battling over who could give him head first. Women were a commodity he had in surplus, a product that never expired.

“Let’s have lunch. You must be hungry after that lecture.”

“I have plans for lunch.”

“Then let’s schedule something for tomorrow at my office.”

I stopped myself from laughing, but I couldn’t stop myself from smiling. “Mr. Hunt, I’m not interested in any kind of business venture with you. I’m flattered, nonetheless.”

He didn’t show a hint of anger, but he hardly blinked as he looked at me. “It’s not smart to turn down an offer you haven’t heard. Rule number one of business school.”

“I wouldn’t know—I didn’t go to college.” I wasn’t like the rest of my peers with their Ivy League degrees. I started working in the industry before I became a legal adult. While there was always new material to learn in any environment, a formal education seemed boring to me. I preferred a hands-on approach to life. There were some things you couldn’t learn from books—like how to survive.

He glanced at my lips again, this time staring at them longer than before. He obviously didn’t care if I noticed before he looked me in the eye again, as confident as ever. “I’m interested in your publishing house. It’s a failing business, if you didn’t know.”

I didn’t know how he got his information, but that didn’t matter. He was right on the money. “I’m aware of my finances. Thank you for your concern.” I didn’t like to be questioned about my choices. I wouldn’t be in the position I was now if I didn’t trust my instincts.

“Then you should listen to my offer.”

“I’m not in the market to sell.” If he pushed harder, I’d push harder back. I glanced at my watch before I looked at his concentrated expression once more. “Your two minutes are up, Mr. Hunt. Take care.”

I pivoted away from him, maintaining the same posture I did anytime I was in the public eye. My shoulders were back, my chest was out, and I glided on my heels. I wore stilettos every hour of the day except when I was finally alone in my penthouse. They were like a second skin, and walking barefoot felt almost unsteady.

Diesel Hunt didn’t stop my exit, but his eyes burned into my back. I could feel his presence surround me like a heavy blanket, nearly suffocating me. The heat from his gaze licked my body like flames from a hearth. I could even feel his look on my ass.

Diesel Hunt wasn’t an enemy I wanted to have, but he wasn’t an appropriate business partner either. Hopefully, that interaction was the last one we would ever have.

But I suspected it wasn’t.