The thing Eleanor hated most was being a burden to others, andn knew that all too well.


    "My rtionship with Xavier has nothing to do with you," Eleanor said coolly, her tone as crisp as winter air.


    She turned her face away, refusing to meet his eyes. "You have no right to interfere in my life."


    His voice dropped, strained with something deeper. "Are you just trying to provoke me? You really don''t see what Xavier wants from you?"


    Eleanor felt a rush of anger and something close to bitter amusement. She hadn''t wanted to argue, but the way this man spoke-it pushed her past her limit.


    n, let''s get one thing straight." Herugh was icy. "I''m single. I have every right and freedom to see whoever I want."


    His voice came out hoarse, almost wounded. "Do you actually like Xavier?" It was as if, in that moment, he believed she was ready to move on, to start something


    new.


    Eleanor didn''t respond. In her heart, Xavier was a friend, a mentor, someone she respected—but she saw no reason to exin herself ton.


    Outside, snow drifted silently past the window. Inside, the room was warm, almost springlike. Eleanor had just taken off her coat; the white turtleneck sweater and fitted skirt she wore hugged her curves, a contradiction of innocence and allure.


    She had avoided his eyes until now. But as she looked up and saw what simmered there, a jolt of rm ran through her. She shoved him away, her voice low and sharp. "Ian, stay away from me. Don''t you dare think of touching me again."


    He stumbled back, caught off guard, a flicker of confusion crossing his handsome features. But he quickly regained hisposure. "Sorry. I didn''t mean to cross a line."


    "You already did." Her re was icy, unyielding.


    Back in his own room,n tore off his tie and let it drop to the floor, copsing onto the sofa. He stared up at the ceiling, Adam''s apple bobbing as he swallowed hard. His eyes were clouded with a storm that showed no sign of passing.


    He got up, unbuttoned his shirt, and walked toward the bathroom. Tonight, he needed to do something-anything-to get her out of his head.


    Meanwhile, Eleanor, fresh from her own shower,y awake. Sleep wouldn''te.n''s look from earlier haunted her; she knew him too well.


    It had only been a week since he and Vanessa had separated, and already he couldn''t stand it?


    The next two days of meetings were optional for her. After tomorrow,n could return home whenever he wanted.


    Just then, her phone buzzed with a new message. It was from Xavier: "Sorry, Vivian tried calling you earlier. I didn''t realize-did we disturb you?"


    Eleanor replied, "No worries."


    Xavier wrote again, "We''ll be in Drexford tomorrow afternoon. If you''re free, let''s grab dinner together?"


    It was rare to run into friends in a foreign country; sharing a meal seemed perfectly natural.


    "Sounds good!" Eleanor replied. She had promised Vivian, after all.