The absolute silence in the boardroom was deafening as Harvey Bass stopped mere inches away from me. I had to tilt my head back just to meet his intense, burning gaze. My heart was hammering a frantic rhythm against my ribs, loud enough that I was sure he could hear it.
Slowly, deliberately, Harvey reached out.
Right in front of the Chief Operating Officer, the board of directors, and the senior staff of Aurora Designs, the ruthless billionaire CEO gently took my hand. His large, warm fingers slid effortlessly through mine, his grip firm and impossibly protective. The stark contrast of his massive, tanned hand enveloping my pale one sent a jolt of electricity straight to my core.
I gasped softly, my cheeks flushing crimson, but I didn't pull away.
Harvey turned his head, looking back a
