"This is madness."
"I'm beginning to think so, yes." I stroked my thumb across her wrist, feeling the racing pulse beneath her skin.
"But I'm equally certain I'll regret it if we don't explore this further."
She stared at our joined hands, conflict evident in her expression. "And after? When is it even harder to walk away?"
"Then we'll deal with that reality. But we'll have chosen with full knowledge of who we are to each other."
The sound of approaching footsteps made her withdraw her hand abruptly.
I looked up to see Miles entering the bar, his gaze scanning the room before landing on us.
Surprise flickered across his features, followed by something less pleasant—suspicion, perhaps, or jealousy.
"Dad," he called, approaching our table.
"Savannah. This is unexpected."
She stood quickly, smoothing nonexistent wrinkles from her dress. "I was just leaving. Professional courtesy call before your meeting."
The lie came easily to her lips.
"I'll see you both on Tuesday."
Miles looked between us, clearly sensing something beneath the surface but unable to identify it.
"Looking forward to it."
She nodded, not meeting my eyes.
"Mr. Turner. Miles."
I watched her walk away, the gentle sway of her hips beneath blue cotton stirring memories of last night that I had no business dwelling on.
Only when she'd disappeared from view did I turn my attention back to my son.
"Let's discuss Madison Street," I said briskly, gesturing for him to sit.
The meeting proceeded as our business discussions typically did—Miles alternating between defensive and dismissive, while I maintained the patience that had built my empire.
Throughout, part of my mind remained fixed on Savannah Blake and the choice I'd laid before her.
One more night.
A choice that violated every principle I'd built my life upon. That crossed lines I'd never imagined crossing. That risked my relationship with my son, complicated as it was.
That could potentially damage the company I'd spent decades building.
And yet.
The moment I'd recognized her at brunch, I'd known this wasn't merely about physical attraction.
It wasn't just about the exceptional chemistry we’d discovered the night before.
There had been something deeper—a recognition, a connection that transcended the physical.
Something worth exploring, despite the risks.
