"The blueprints. I got them… Now it's your turn to keep your end of the bargain, Sir Charles."
Charles paused for a brief moment, genuinely surprised by her sudden confidence.
Claire had closed the door behind her without waiting for permission and was now gently pushing him farther into the room, one hand resting against his bare chest. Her touch was light, almost teasing, yet confident enough to show that she had completely dropped the innocent act she had worn in front of Jacob.
The warmth radiating from Charles' body seeped through her palm.
It was an unfamiliar feeling.
Unlike Jacob, whose touch only made her skin crawl beneath the surface despite the smiles she forced, Charles possessed a calm strength that made her heart beat just a little faster. His broad shoulders, well-defined muscles, and composed posture gave off a quiet sense of security rather than vanity.
Claire quickly suppressed the strange feeling.
She had come here for business.
