CHAPTER 1

Claire’s pov

I stride into my office at Nova Designs on Monday morning, feeling that delightful buzz of anticipation. The news over the weekend naming us one of the top two interior design firms in New York is still sinking in. This is what I've worked so hard for - true recognition of my talents and the incredible team I've built.

"Good morning, Ms. Claire ," Anna, my ever-reliable assistant, greets me with a warm smile as I enter. She takes my handbag and briefcase. "Brian got off to school without any fuss this morning."

"Wonderful, thank you Anna." I pause to hang up my coat. "And how are things looking for us this week?"

Anna launches into her customary rundown, but her tone carries an extra note of pride. "The Matthews estate project is nearly complete - that's the $6 million contract. And I have inquiries from three billionaires hoping to have you redesign their Manhattan residences."

I can't help but smile at the awe in her voice. "You're too kind, Anna. It's our whole team that deserves the praise for these accomplishments."

She gives me an appraising look. "If you insist, Ms. Claire . But it's your vision and leadership driving us all." Her eyes sparkle with sincere admiration.

Giving her hand an appreciative squeeze, I move toward my office to start my day. No sooner have I settled in and checked my messages than Anna pokes her head in again. 

"Sorry to interrupt, but you have a new client waiting who came without an appointment. Shall I ask them to rebook?"

I open my mouth to instruct her to do just that, but she cuts me off. "It's Lucas Anderson."

The name hits me like a plummet into an icy lake. I feel the breath rush out of me as a wave of surprise washes over. Lucas...here? The Lucas I haven't seen or even thought about in five years not since that one incredible, reckless night?

Pulling myself together, I straighten in my chair. "Go ahead and send him in, Anna."

She nods and as she left . My heart pounds as I wait, hands clenching on the desk. When the door opens again, there he is - Lucas Anderson in the flesh. Tall, effortlessly handsome, with those piercing blue eyes that seemed to see straight through me.

"Claire." He crosses the room, and I force myself to rise and meet his extended hand with a firm shake. Up close, the energy crackling between us is dizzying. 

"You look even more beautiful than I remember, if that's possible." His low voice caresses the words.

I felt heat rushing into my cheeks and silently curse my fair complexion for betraying me. "Hello, Lucas. It's been...a while."  

His expression grows rueful. "Too long. I never stopped thinking about you after that night. I realize now I never should have let you go."

My defenses snap back into place instantly. "That was a long time ago. We were two people in very different places in our lives. It couldn't have worked." I gentled my tone. 

Holding his smoldering gaze, I gestured toward the chair across from me. "Why don't you have a seat and we can discuss what brings you here today?"

With obvious reluctance, Lucas settles into the chair while I retake my own. "You're right, of course. This is about business."

As he slides a file across the desk, part of me relaxes. 

“This is my element contracts, designs, negotiations. 

"I'm looking to build a new estate in Canal Street. A true luxury home..." Lucas launches into the details, but I'm barely listening.

Because as he speaks, the memory of that night - his hands roving over my bare skin, our bodies moving together at same time , that blazing look in his eyes as he worshiped every inch of me - it all comes rushing back in vivid detail. 

With an enormous force of will, I wrench my concentration back to the present. "...so I need the very best design team to make this residence the crown jewel of Manhattan."  

Our eyes lock, and the air thickens with the undeniable spark flaring between us yet again. Slowly, I let my gaze rake over him in a silent challenge.

"Well, Mr. Anderson, I do believe you've come to the right place."

"A pleasure doing business with you, Ms. Claire ," Lucas said with a charming smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "If you can sign on the dotted line, Nova Designs will receive a generous payment of 20 billion dollars for your team's services."

I felt my jaw clench instinctively. "With all due respect, Mr. Anderson , that figure is very big for such work . I have no intention of gouging my clients, even ones as affluent as yourself." 

His brow furrowed slightly. "I can assure you, the price is more than fair for the scope of the project I have in mind."

"Which you've been decidedly vague about," I countered, leaning back in my chair. "I'd need more details before committing to any number, let alone one so large ."

We went back and forth like that for some time, the two of us trying to outmaneuver the other through heated negotiation tactics. Just as I opened my mouth to respond to his latest words, my phone rang with an ominous shrill.

Frowning, I checked the caller ID - it was Brian's school. "Excuse me," I said tersely, stepping away to take the call.

The words made my blood turn to ice water in my veins. "Brian collapsed during gym class...being rushed to the hospital..."

I think I muttered something; my mind was whirling too fast to recall. Hanging up abruptly, I swung around to face Lucas . "I...I need to go. My son..."

Anna was at my side in an instant, her typical bravado replaced by softness and concern. "Go, don't worry about Mr Lucas . We'll get everything settled, I will call when we need you. Ma “ Anna said 

"Your son?" Lucas looked utterly thrown, his businessman mask slipping.  

I brushed past him curtly. "Yes, I have a five-year-old son. Surely that's not so surprising?" The words came out more biting than intended.

Lucas seemed to be studying me carefully, a hard to read look in his eyes. "I didn't realize...would you like me to give you a ride to the hospital?"

My first instinct was to refuse, to keep this part of my life separate from whatever this was with Lucas Anderson . But Brian took priority right now. "Fine," I said shortly, already heading for the door.

Anna patted my arm reassuringly as I passed. "I'll keep things moving here. Don't you worry about anything except that little guy."

In the car, Lucas kept darting me sidelong glances as he navigated toward the hospital. I stared unseeingly out the window, my heart pounding frantically as scenarios involving Brian whirred through my mind.  

"This doesn't change anything, you know," I said at last without looking at Lucas. "My son is mine. My personal life is off limits to you or this business dealing."

To his credit, Lucas merely nodded solemnly. In that moment, I could have sworn I saw a flash of...what? Sadness? Regret? But it was gone in an instant, replaced by that stoic connectedness of his.

As we pulled up to the bright hospital entrance, Lucas twisted in his seat to face me. Our eyes locked, and I was abruptly very aware of the tension crackling between us - tension that, five years ago, had led to that one incendiary night together. 

My throat worked as I struggled to find the right words. "Why..." I started, then stopped myself. Now wasn't the time.

Seeming to understand, Lucas simply gave me a look filled with too many unspoken words. "Go," he said gruffly. "I'll be here when you need me."