Sunlight streamed through the half-drawn curtains, painting lazy stripes across the bed. Hazel stirred, groaning softly as the ache in her muscles reminded her exactly how last night had gone.
And damn, it had been worth it.
She opened one eye to find Michael already awake, propped against the headboard with a cup of coffee in hand and a file on his lap. His hair was tousled, jaw dark with stubble, and the sight of him like that — shirtless, reading contracts like it was the most natural thing in the world — did wicked things to her insides.
"Morning, Mrs. Graze," he drawled without looking up.
Hazel groaned and flopped dramatically onto his chest. "Ugh, how are you already working? We just overthrew an evil corporate overlord and had marathon-level sex. A normal person would be unconscious for two days."
Michael smirked, setting the file aside. "I'm not normal, sweetheart. You should know that by now."
Hazel grinned, tracing a lazy finger along his collarbone. "Well, you're definitely abnormal in bed."
His brow quirked. "Compliment?"
"An aggressive one."
Michael chuckled, pulling her closer and brushing his lips against her temple. "How are you feeling?"
"Sore. Starving. Completely in love with myself for finally seducing you."
"Seduce me?" He gave her a look. "Hazel, you've been seducing me since the day you spilled champagne on my suit and called me 'Mikey' to annoy me."
Hazel laughed. "Admit it — you liked it."
"I hated it."
"You're lying."
"I'm always lying when I say I don't want you," he murmured against her hair.
God, she could melt right there.
Hazel sighed contentedly, her fingers playing with the edge of the sheet. "So… what now?"
Michael grew quiet for a moment, and Hazel felt a flicker of nerves.
"Now," he said carefully, "we move forward. No more secrets. No more half-truths. I want you in this with me — for real this time."
She looked up at him, searching his face for any hesitation. But there wasn't any. Just that steady, storm-gray gaze she was learning meant he was dead serious.
"Good," Hazel whispered. "Because I was about to start looking for new penthouses if you pulled your distant, cold CEO act again."
Michael laughed, full and genuine. "You'd miss me."
"Like a toothache."
They were still tangled in teasing when a sharp knock interrupted the moment.
Michael stiffened instantly. "Stay here."
Hazel's stomach twisted. "Is it Kane?"
"No." He grabbed a shirt and shrugged it on. "He's long gone."
But something in his voice set Hazel's nerves on edge.
She slipped from bed, pulling on his discarded dress shirt, and padded to the hallway as Michael opened the door.
A sharply dressed woman stood there, mid-thirties, sleek black hair and crimson lips. Confidence radiated off her in waves.
"Michael Graze," she said coolly. "Long time."
Hazel's heart skipped a beat.
Michael's jaw tightened. "What are you doing here, Vanessa?"
The woman's crimson smile widened.
"Didn't you hear? I'm back in town."
And just like that, Hazel knew their peace was over....