Page 19 of Until I Claim You

“Please, call me…” I lose my train of thought when her eyes lock in mine. Gold. Molten gold. A near copy of my Swan.

Then she grabs my hand, sending shocks through my arm. Her touch…familiar too.

“Edwin.” My voice cracks. Hasn’t done that since my teen years.

Fuck.

“Call me Edwin.”

“Alright, then please, call me Sonia.”

I have trouble releasing her hand. I’m too stunned to know what to do with myself. I’d be foolish to believe this is the woman I was dancing with last night.

Why would she hide behind that mask and try and blend in with the common folk when she’s anything but?

After what feels like too long, but not long enough, I let go and try to give her a winning smile. “Welcome to Lyons Club.”

“Thank you. It’s amazing. I’m so excited to get started.” She smiles at me and then at Farley.

With her hair swept out of her face and tucked into a bun, her ear is on full display to me. And though she’s not wearing a pearl earring today, it doesn’t matter.

Two gold studs and that hoop at the helix of her ear.

My god. ItisSwan.

Sonia Hill, the new operations manager ofmyclub, is the woman from last night, the one I wanted with my heart and soul.

Without her mask, that feeling has increased tenfold. Which means…I don’t know how I’m going to control myself.

From her serene smile, I’m not sure she recognizes me the way I recognize her.

And if she does, she’s not letting on.

This is all for the best. We should strike last night from the record and act as if we’re meeting for the first time. After all, we will be working way too close together for anything to be possible between us.

Still though…I crave her. My insides boil with want for her.Need.“Well, why don’t we sit and –”

Farley waves his hand. “Oh no, Sonia and I are already well acquainted, and all her paperwork has been taken careof. All she needs now is a tour of the space and to get acquainted with our owner.”

My eyes meet Sonia’s. But I can’t look for too long. Because I’ve alreadybeenacquainted with Sonia. In more ways than one.

And so much of me would like to continue to beacquaintedwith her.

However, that can never happen. I’m her superior and I don’t make a habit of sleeping with my employees. Plus, I still can’t get a read on if she recognizes me the way I recognize her.

My mouth is hot, wanting to ask, to blurt out the truth. That we know each other.

Beyond just the words we spoke last night and the touches we shared.

I can’t explain it, but IknowSonia Hill. In my bones. As if somehow our souls recognize one another.

What the fuck? Soulmates don’t exist and neither does true love.

Argh. My brain is just trying to make me feel better about being a horndog.

“How about you give Sonia a tour, and you two can get to know each other a bit? When you’re done, just drop her off at her office, and then I’ll go through the day-to-day with her.”

I give Farley a curt nod. “After you, Ms…”

---