The acquisition moved forward with surprising speed. Within two months, Zenith Digital was officially part of the Sinclair Enterprises family, and Maya found herself with a new title, a significant raise, and an office on the fifteenth floor of Sinclair's Seattle headquarters.
She also found herself working directly with Alexander on various projects, which was both exhilarating and torturous. During business hours, he was every inch the professional CEO. But sometimes, she'd catch him looking at her with heat in his eyes, or their hands would brush while reaching for the same document, and she'd remember what it felt like to be in his arms.
"Maya," Alexander said one evening as they finished reviewing a presentation for a major client. "Do you have dinner plans?"
It was the first personal question he'd asked her since the acquisition, and Maya's heart started racing.
"No," she said carefully.
"Good. There's something I want to show you."
They took Alexander's private elevator to the top floor of the building, emerging onto a rooftop garden Maya hadn't known existed. The Seattle skyline spread out below them, lights twinkling in the gathering dusk.
"It's beautiful," Maya breathed.
"I come up here when I need to think," Alexander said. "It's quiet."
They stood side by side, not touching but close enough that Maya could feel the warmth radiating from his body.
"Alexander," she said quietly. "What are we doing?"
"I don't know," he admitted. "All I know is that I can't stay away from you."