Chapter 20
“Jasper, are you asking for mouble?“ Kieran’s voice was still deep, lost now there was an unmistakable slumpness to it, the irritation coming through.
like a kiute.
Calista found herself fimily seated beside Kirtan, thanks to Jasper’s not–so–gentle shove. The dangerous edge in Kieran’s tour sent a shiver down her spine, raising goosebumps on her arms.
Instinctively, she sensed the tension in the air–like standing tow close to a th king, time limb.
From the stick of info Leander had provided about Kieran, one thing was crystal clear: Don’t piss lain off. ‘The man was not easy to please.
Maybe pushing someone into a pool at a banquet had been a little too bold. Life had a funny way of slapping her upside the head with new challenges when she thouglu you’d just gotten past the last one.
“Hey, it’s my budday today, Jasper started his tour light hot defensive. “I tuned down a whole bunch of invites just to fly out to Zandora to see you. I did it was you feeling all lonely in this strange city. Telline, where else are you gonna find a friend as thoughtfial as met And now you’re inving reqmaritale, saying I’m asking for trouble? Man, that’s coll”
slid around to sit on the other side of Kieran, lowering his voice, “Don’t be ungrateful, alright? You’ve been losing at cards all night, God s how many drinks you’ve had, and I bring someone in to take the heat off, and you’re still complaining!”
Before Kieran could fire back. Jasper leaned forward, glancing post him at Calista with a mischievous priai. “Calista, we’re counting on you to save Mr. Hawthorne’s ass here. He’s been drowning in drinks, and you know how these vultures are.”
Then, without waiting for a reply. Jasper raised his voice toward the rest of the room, “Hey! “Turn on the damn lights! We’ve got someone new here —ler’s all get a good look. Might as well get acquainted since we’ll be bumping into each other”
Right on cue, the dim room flooded with light, nearly blinding Calista for a split second.
she blinked rapidly, keeping her polite, professional smile in place as she met Jasper’s overly curious gaze.
His eyes lingered on her, clearly trying to size her up, and she knew right away–this whole “urning on the lights bit was just an excuse. He wanted a good, long look at her.
Jasper stared for a moment, his brow furrowing in confusion, Honestly, while Calista was naturally attractive, even without much makeup, slar wasn’t the kind of knock–out beauty that would turn heads wherever she went,
Disappointed, Jasper leaned back slightly. He had expected Leander to set Kieran up with someone drop–lead gorgeous, but now he wasn’t so sure. From where he was sitting, Calista didn’t seem like Kieran’s type.
Just as Jasper was about to strike up more conversation with Calista to gather some intel, Kieran leaned forward, blocking Jasper’s view entirely. Calista’s eyes naturally followed the movement, landing on Kieran’s face,
His side profile was sharp, almost painfully so–high cheekbones, a strong brow, and a nose that could’ve been sculpted by a master artist. His lips were set in a firm line, neither too thin nor too full, giving him an air of cold, effortless power. Beneath that relined exterior was a kitel of detached Intensity that was hard to ignore.
Feeling her gaze, Kieran urned slightly, his dark eyes locking onto hers,
For a split second, Calista felt her breath catch. His eyes were deep, intense, and they felt like they could pull her in if she wasn’t careful. It was like staring into a bottomless well–dark, unreadable, and dangerously captivating. Despite the unease creeping in, she kept her professional sundle steady.
Even with the fire of his rising anger practically crackling in the air around them, Calista couldn’t help but admire him. Itis side profile was impressive, but facing him head–on was a whole different level of breathtaking.
Calista felt a tiny pang of envy. She thought, ‘Sometimes life really is unfair–some people have it all: money and good looks”
She kept her bright smile intact, her tone polite and respectful. “Good evening, Mr. Hawthorne”
Calista firmly believed in the power of a friendly smile–people rarely responded harshly to one, especially when it was a woman being polite and approachable toward a man.
Kieran studied her, taking in her oval face, the clean, fair complexion, the delicate arch of her brows, and the slight curve of her almond–shaped eyes. Her straight nove sat above full lips that formed a genile uile.
For a moment, he recalled the scene at the banquet when he looked over at the pool. She had smiled the same way–appearing harmless at first glance, but there was an unmistakable hint of calculation belvind that unile,
“You haven’t even started at the company yet. Calling me Mr. Hawthorne is a bit premature Kieran’s woke was cool and detached, and as he spoke, he withdrew his gaze from her.
552 PM dd.
Chapter 20
Calista mulled over his turds, wondering what he really meant. Is he implying dissatisfaction with me as his assistant? But then again, she reminded herself, it made sense.
No e nderwood this situation better than she did–she wasn’t Kieran’s choice, it was his grandfather, Leander, who had hired her.
“Calista, don’t pay him any mind. He’s just being dillicult, Jasper said,
Jasper leaned back, his grin widening as he continued to address Calista, For years, he’s only ever had male assistants. You’re the first woman he’s ever bred, sun’s a big change for him. He’s used to being cold, so if he’s not warming up right away, don’t take it personally. He just needs time to adjust
