Page 315 of Savage Bosses

"Drive safe." I end the call, anticipating her arrival.

The moment the doorbell rings, my heart leaps in my chest. It takes me only seconds to cross the distance to the front door. "Get a grip," I mutter under my breath as my hand hovers over the doorknob.

"Archer," Tahani says softly. She looks beautiful standing there on my doorstep, the warm glow from the porch light casting her features in soft shadows.

"Hey, you made it. Come on in."

She steps inside, and I close the door behind her. As she takes in the high ceilings, the grand staircase, the floor-to-ceiling windows framing the moonlit garden beyond, I can't help but feel a sense of intimacy settle over us.

"Your house is beautiful," Tahani says, her voice hushed and full of wonder.

“You’ve been here before,” I say.

"I didn’t exactly get a chance to take in the design and décor the last time,” she admits coyly. “It's even more stunning now that I have time to see everything."

"Thanks," I reply, rubbing the back of my neck. "It’s home until it’s not.”

“Sometimes, I forget you’re only here for a short time.”

I take a step toward her. “I’ll make it my business to be wherever you are.”

“Archer, you don’t have to promise me things like that.”

“But it’s true.”

I can see her relax ever so slightly. This is our chance to finally be honest with each other, to cut through uncertainty that can tear us apart.

"Can I get you something to drink?" I offer.

"Water would be great, thanks." She gazes towards the living room. "Where should we sit?"

"Let's go to the couch." I lead her through the open archway and into the cozy space where a fire crackles softly in the hearth, casting flickering shadows on the walls. "Make yourself comfortable."

I head to the kitchen to get the water. When I return, she’s curled up on the couch, her eyes fixed on the flames dancing in the fireplace.

"Here you go," I say softly, handing her the glass.

She murmurs her thanks, taking a sip before setting it down on the nearby coffee table.

The embers in the fireplace cast a warm glow on Tahani's face, her deep brown eyes glistening with unshed tears as she gathers her thoughts.

I close my eyes and sigh, hoping the rumor Regina told me about at the office hasn’t gotten back to her.

"Archer," she whispers, her voice trembling as she looks into my eyes. "Mason knows about us. He saw us together at the party."

"What did he say?"

"He confronted me," she admits, her gaze falling to her lap. "He threatened to expose our relationship if I didn't... if I didn't break it off with you."

I feel my chest tighten, my jaw clenching reflexively. Mason, that conniving bastard. It wouldn’t surprise me if he was snooping around at the party and saw us. You can never trust a kiss-up. They will use any knowledge to their advantage.

I force myself to stay calm, for Tahani's sake. "Did you tell him anything?"

"No," she says firmly. "But it was like a double whammy because as soon as Mason walked out of my office, Grace walked in. She warned me that our relationship could jeopardize both our careers and the company's reputation."

"Grace?" I hadn't anticipated her involvement, but it makes sense. She’s protective of Iconic's image. "What did you tell her?"

"I asked her if she was threatening me, and she said she was only cautioning me to steer clear of a relationship with you." Tahani's eyes search mine, tugging at my heart. "I don't know what to do, Archer. I'm afraid of what they might do to us. To our careers."

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