Page 10 of The Forbidden Billionaire Attorney

I rub my temples, chasing away the ghost of her curves pressing against me. This is ridiculous; I never lose control like this. Women, negotiation deals, courtroom battles—I handle them all with the same cool-headed precision. But last night? That was ... what was that?

The thought of texting her bubbles up, weighing heavier than any brief I’ve ever drafted. Maybe just to see her. Maybe just to—no. My thumb hovers over her contact, itching to type out a message, but Ijam it back in my pocket. I’m 36, not a teenager anymore. I should have more self-control than this.

Isabella is off-limits. Employee. Boundary line drawn in permanent marker. Considering how she left her last job, I should have had way more self-control.

Knock, knock.

“Come in,” I call without looking up.

Suzy enters, remaining in the doorway with her hand on the knob. “Mr. Cole, you have that meeting with Mr. Sterling and Ms. King at eleven.”

“Thanks, Suzy.” I glance at the clock. 10:45. Jesus—time’s a thief.

“Anything else you need?” There’s a slight hesitation in her voice, as if she’s expecting me to be more frazzled.

“Get me a large coffee, would you? Black, like my mood.”

Suzy chuckles. “Sure thing, Mr. Cole.” She closes the door with a soft click.

I dive back into the documents, words becoming soldiers I marshal into order, the familiar rhythm of work steadying the currents trying to sweep me away.

When the clock strikes 11, I’m already seated at the head of the conference table, papers meticulously arranged in front of me. Control, that’s the game today. The door swings open, and they filter in—Leo with his stoic calmness, Isabella with her ... everything.

“Morning,” I mutter, my voice a notch too casual. Nobody needs to know my heart’s staging a coup against my ribcage.

“Morning, Adrian,” Leo says, taking the seat adjacent to me.

“Good morning, Mr. Cole,” Isabella greets, her tone professional, but there’s something else there—a flicker of last night that sends a jolt straight through me.Stop it, Cole.

“Isabella, you’re glowing today,” Leo points out, and immediately, there’s a blush creeping on her cheeks.

She clears her throat, her eyes sweeping over to me before she sits up taller. “Must be the face mask I used last night.”

Leo shoots her a playful wink. “You’ll have to share your secrets with me.”

“Now’s not the time, Leo,” I say without looking up.

He gives me a mock salute. “Got it, boss.”

“Let’s get started,” I say, clapping my hands together like a coach at halftime. Leo nods, Suzy perches on the edge of her seat with her notepad at the ready, and I can’t help but notice how Isabella’s skirt hugs her just right. Damn khaki, blending professionalism with sin.

“Understand the significance here—we land this merger, and we’re not just talking about a win for Aurora and NexGen. We’re talking about putting us on the map for future Fortune 500 clients,” I stress, planting the flag on this hill of ambition.

“Agreed,” Leo chimes in, his voice steady as ever. “We need to be especially on point for this one.”

“Ms. King, you’ll spearhead the financial arrangements and compliance with securities law,” I announce, my decision sounding more like a royal decree than a simple delegation of duties.

“Of course,” she replies, chin lifted, her green eyes catching mine with a fire that could burn down empires—or at least my resolve.

“Leo and I will be overseeing every step with Aurora and NexGen. Intimately.”

“Intimately” hangs in the air longer than intended, and I swear her eyebrow arches in silent challenge—or is it invitation? It’s probably the fluorescent lighting playing tricks on me.

“Suzy, could you coordinate with both companies to schedule our initial meetings?” I ask, turning to safer waters.

“Will do, Mr. Cole,” she responds promptly, tapping away at her tablet.

“Thank you,” I manage, trying to sound like I haven’t just been mentally grappling with the idea of Isabella and intimacy in the same sentence. “I think that’ll be all for today. Let’s adjourn and get back to work then.”

---