Chapter 23

Turning around, she spotted Tyler, and Mr. Wade awkwardly pulled his hand back, rubbing the tip of his nose with an uneasy fidget. He didn’t say a word. After all, he’d broken the rules himself. This woman belonged to Tyler, and without his say-so, he had no business getting that close.

Emily, meanwhile, kicked herself for not waiting until after she’d ducked into the subway station to take that call.

From a distance, Tyler caught sight of her leaning into Mr. Wade without a hint of resistance, her body half-pressed against him, and a spark of fury ignited in his chest like dry grass catching flame from a dropped lantern. His face darkened as he thought, Emily is mine, and mine alone.

Without a second’s hesitation, he strode forward and blocked their path to the car, summoning the commanding presence he’d honed in boardrooms everywhere. With a sharp rebuke, he grabbed Emily’s arm.

Then, leaning in close, he pressed his ear to hers, his thin lips barely parting as he murmured, “The contract.”

Startled, she whipped her head around to glare at him in disbelief, but Tyler didn’t flinch.

She knew better than to think she could match his intensity, anyway.

The outcome caught her off guard, even if it made perfect sense. Tyler whisked her back to his apartment.

Nestled in the heart of the city where every square foot cost a fortune, the place was done up in a minimalist Japanese style, serene and almost ascetic, yet every detail whispered of quiet luxury and impeccable craftsmanship.

Catching the mix of shock and admiration in her eyes, Tyler’s mouth curved into a slight smile, a note of pleasure warming his voice. “Do you like it?”

For a split second, Emily thought she’d misheard him. With no one else around, though, she shrank back a little and whispered, “Tyler, I wouldn’t dream of it. Really.”

Amused by her cautious demeanor, a glint of laughter flickered in his eyes. “What’s there to be afraid of? If you like it here, you could stay as long as you want.”