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Raw Beauty 

Author: Jenne Lopes
last update Last Updated: 2025-01-16 21:24:48

"Mr. Thorne." Sophie's voice went high, desperate. "I... I wasn't..."

But he was looking at me, his expression impossible to read. The air felt thick with everything we weren't saying.

Alex's hand barely brushed my elbow as he guided me away from Sophie's crumbling composure. The touch was light, professional, but electricity sparked through my sleeve.

"I believe we're done here," he said, his voice carrying that same quiet authority I remembered from breakfast. The memory of his knowing smile made my cheeks warm.

The elevator doors closed on Sophie's stunned face. I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding, my portfolio clutched against my chest like a shield.

“Thank you.” I tried to speak in a steady voice, masking any hint of emotion, but deep down, I couldn’t help wondering why he always seemed to catch me at my most vulnerable moments.

"There's a place around the corner," Alex said as we descended. "Best mushroom risotto in the city."

It wasn't really a question. But then
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