I open my eyes to sunlight. It’s morning and I’m in my own bed. Alarmed, I bolt upright and take inventory of myself.

Everything is normal.

I bite my lip when I feel my cheeks burning at the memory of Derik holding me like I’m his most prized possession.

It had to have been a dream.

Or another regrettable moment of weakness that will only drive him farther away from me.

Chapter 10

DERIK

L ooking down at a set of blueprints, I study the meticulously constructed design of the business center project. The six-building plan has been approved by the investors and local officials of Tucson. As it covers a large portion of the northern district of the city, it has attracted the attention of numerous businesspeople here. Fortunately, with the name and reputation of Lewis Corporation, everything from the acquisition of the land down to the most minute detail has been smoothly carried out. The possibility of a mistake or delay is slim, but one never can be too careful.

“Make sure no problems arise,” I order, shooting William a glance. Squinting my eyes, I redirect my gaze to the large open lot where the skyscrapers will be standing in a few months.

“Understood.”

“This is Natalie’s first job as a project manager. She needs to prove her ability to the senior executives of Quinn Industries. Make sure to assist her whenever she needs something. These old farts are just waiting for her to make a mistake.”

William’s mouth curls into a smile before nodding in agreement. He takes the blueprints from my hand and briefs me on the things that need my attention.

Since I’ve been away from headquarters, work has been piling up.

“When are you going back to headquarters, sir?” he asks.

“Not until this project is over.”

“Are you worried about Ms. Quinn?”

I frown. William has been my right-hand man since before Natalie even came into my life. He’s one of the few people I’m close to, and my most trusted at that. But he’s not the kind to pry, and always keeps his toes behind the line.

He’s like a confidante, so I don’t mind his question.

“Ms. Quinn is very capable,” he ventures. “She gets along with her colleagues. She’s very communicative with her team, as well. Ever since she started working, she has never sought my help. She’s found her way out when she’s stuck and solved problems on her own. She may be young, but she possesses the qualities of a good leader for Quinn Industries. She is very responsible.”

“Mmm.”

“Old Mr. Quinn would be very proud if he were here,” he added, sounding like a proud dad.

My mouth curls into a smile at the mention of the old man. I became an orphan when I was just a toddler after my parents died in a plane crash. My grandfather raised me until I was twelve, when he passed due to cancer. Benedict Quinn, my grandfather’s closest friend, treated me like I was his own, and trained me to become a competent businessman until I moved to San Francisco at nineteen to take over Lewis Corporation. It’s been a long road, but I am grateful for everything. If it weren’t for his dedicated guidance, I could never have been as competent at handling a business as big as Lewis Corporation.

My thoughts are broken when Natalie appears in my peripheral view. She is in a white casual blouse and faded jeans paired with sneakers. She’s wearing a hard hat over her low ponytail. She’s talking to one of the staff while pointing around,

then back to the blueprints she is holding. She looks radiant with her sun-kissed cheeks and her bright eyes, engaged and enlivened in her work.

A mixture of pride and guilt floods through me, my smile fading.

“Benedict would be happy to see her working hard to continue his legacy.”

“She’s quite a natural,” William comments, following my gaze.

“She is,” I agree.

Before too long, Natalie and a few people on her team, along with the construction manager, take notice of my presence and come to greet me. I nod in acknowledgment, signaling them to continue whatever they were doing. William leads me back to the car as my eyes linger on the beautiful woman who seems to be fully immersed in her work.

As if feeling my gaze, she tilts her head in my direction. She smiles brightly, her face flushed as if all her blood has come rushing to her cheeks. There’s something in her shy and innocent disposition that makes me want to grab her and kiss her right there, with no regard for anyone or anything else.

I bob my head lightly in acknowledgment before she hurriedly averts her eyes, making my heart swell a little.

It’s that strange feeling again.

I shake my head lightly as if it will erase the nonsensical thoughts, but before I can step inside the vehicle, a familiar figure of a man catches my attention.

It’s the same man who was at the banquet.

“Fancy seeing you here, Mr. Lewis,” he greets hurriedly. He’s panting as if he’s run ten laps.

I cock an eyebrow then eye his extended arm.

“Mason Moore, sir,” he introduces with a gallant smile, wiping a bead of sweat off his forehead with his free hand. Tucked under his arm is a rolled piece of paper which I presume to be a copy of the project blueprint.

“It’s nice to meet you, Engineer Moore. I hear you’ve been a great mentor to Natalie.”

I shake his hand perfunctorily.

The man chuckles as if he’s tickled by the mention of her name.

“Nat is a natural. She’s a fast learner, very attentive and efficient. You’d never guess she’s a rookie.”

My lips curl into a grin, amused by the mention of the woman’s apparent lack of work experience. If one weren’t astute enough, it would almost sound like a compliment.

“You seem to be very comfortable with Ms. Quinn, calling her nicknames.”

The man chuckles confidently. It’s almost a sneer, concealed by the bright smile on his youthful face. But it does not escape my scrutiny.

“Don’t be so stiff, Mr. Lewis. Nat and I are friends. We get along quite well.

Formalities would be such a hassle when working together on projects that require burning the midnight oil.”

“Ms. Quinn is the heir of Quinn Industries,” I state authoritatively.

It isn’t a revelation, it’s a warning.

Everyone working for Lewis Corporation knows that Quinn Industries is only temporarily under my control until its heir is fully capable of managing it. On that note, it is known that Natalie Quinn is under my wing, and whoever dares to mess with her will be going against me. Until the time she holds the highest position in Quinn Industries, she will be prey to the people who are eyeing her company.

Threats have been looming from all corners, not only to her position but to her life as well.