As Juniper made her way down the corridor, her mind replayed the moments in the elevator… the subtle touches, the charged silences, the way the rhythm of her breath had betrayed her. This is just the beginning of this case. I need to stay focused.

But her pulse refused to slow. Heat still lingered under her surfaces where they’d stood close. Get it together, Juni. It’s just adrenaline. Just proximity. Just…

She pushed the thought aside, annoyed at how much mental space this was taking up. The case mattered. The clients mattered. Not whatever this uncomfortable flutter in her chest was.

With a final glance over her shoulder, she caught his frame disappearing around the corner. Her lips curved without permission before she forced them back to neutral.

No. Back to work. Whatever this distraction was, it wasn’t part of the plan. And she didn’t appreciate losing focus.