The dark suit molds to his tall, athletic frame, the sharp cut emphasizing his broad shoulders and trim waist. His crisp white dress shirt is unbuttoned just enough to give the impression of effortless confidence—controlled, never careless. Dark hair, styled but not overdone, adds to the easy arrogance he wears so well. And then there are his eyes—icy blue, sharp, assessing, always watching.

Chiseled jaw, the perfect amount of scruff, and a presence that demands attention without him having to say a single word.

What a breathtaking display of arrogance in a suit.

Yeah, he’s good-looking. And it annoys the shit out of me.

“I’ve been trying to reach you.”

He steps inside like he owns the place… which he does.

Frowning, I blink at him. “Trying to reach me?”

I grab my phone from the desk and flip it over. The screen lights up with several missed calls and unread messages from him.

Shit. “Sorry. Guess I got caught up in my work.”

He waves a dismissive hand, letting the door swing shut behind him. “It’s all right. You’re dedicated. I’m okay with that.”

He steps further into the room, his gaze flicking between my laptop screen and the open notebook beside it. “What are you working on?”

“Building a mood board for the guest rooms.” I scroll through my favorites giving him a quick preview. “I like to work in the space I’m designing so I can visualize the end result. Helps with scale and material choices and making sure everything fits the energy of the hotel.”

He moves closer. “And what energy did you decide on?”

“I like your original idea––timeless elegance. A blend of the hotel’s history with modern luxury.” I glance up at him—and realize too late just how close he is.

Our faces are inches apart, his sharp blue eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that sends a flicker of heat down my spine. The air between us feels charged, humming with something unspoken. Close enough that if I moved a hair, my nose might brush against the edge of his jaw.

“Like you said… a place people want to come back to.”

Ty’s eyes shift and he stares at my mouth. “That’s the idea, isn’t it?”

His presence is impossible to ignore when his scent wraps around me.

Our shoulders almost brush, and the heat rolling off him makes the air feel hotter.