Genesis slowly pushed herself up from the table he had pressed her against. Her brow furrowed, a faint frown settling over her delicate features as she turned to face him. He had already moved to the floor-to-ceiling glass window, staring down at the glowing city of New York.

His words spun around her head like a curse she couldn’t shake. She should knock before stepping into his office.

A small, broken chuckle slipped past her lips, but he didn’t turn to her. He just stood there—silent, cold, the glow of the city reflecting off his sharp frame—smoking, knowing exactly what that smell did to her.

Tears stung the back of...