Page 18 of Only Ever Mine

Or ruin me entirely.

5

CHRISTIAN

Some deals were worth millions.Others were worth billions.

But this one?

This one felt like the most important deal of my life.

Scarlett sat across from me, her arms loosely crossed, her expression thoughtful as she stared at the finalized contract between us.

Her red hair was swept up into a bun, but a few stray strands had slipped free, framing her face in a way that made it impossible not to stare.

She was trying to appear unaffected, like this was just another business decision, but I knew better.

I’d seen the way her fingers had skimmed the edge of the papers moments ago, her nails tapping an absent rhythm as she hesitated.

I’d caught the flicker of excitement in her eyes before she’d schooled her expression into something unreadable.

She wanted this.

And after weeks of discussions, negotiations, and late-night calls that had bled into the early morning, she had finally agreed.

Scarlett Lane was officially my partner.

I finally did it.

I fought the smirk threatening to break across my face.

Instead, I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the polished oak desk between us.

“So, that’s it then?” I asked, pretending to sound casual and failing at it.

Scarlett exhaled slowly, then nodded. “That’s it.”

My grin broke free.

I extended my hand. “Pleasure doing business with you.”

Her lips twitched, but she slid her palm against mine, shaking firmly. Her touch was warm, confident—just like her.

Something electric passed between us.

Her fingers lingered a second longer than necessary before she pulled away, clearing her throat.

“I guess we’ll see if we can actually work together without killing each other,” she said.

I chuckled, tilting my head. “Oh, I don’t know, Scarlett. I think we make a great team.”

She rolled her eyes but didn’t argue.

And just like that, it was done.

The deal was sealed.

Now the real work began.

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