Reese tossed and turned under her satin sheets, her chest rising and falling with shallow breaths as the Los Angeles skyline flickered faintly through her bedroom window. Despite the luxury and comfort of her surroundings, sleep refused to claim her.

Her body ached—not from exhaustion, but from frustration. Her mind wouldn't quiet, spinning between thoughts of Collin and the way his lips had hovered so close to hers, and the unrelenting, vivid flash of Christian's face that had stopped her cold. She clenched her fists against the pillow, trying to push the image away, but it lingered, sharp and intrusive.

Her body tensed as her thoughts betrayed her. Christian's face sharpened in her mind's eye: his intense, piercing gaze that once held her captive, his perfectly carved jawline that had brushed her cheek when he leaned close. The sheer weight of that memory, the passion it evoked, sent heat coursing through her body.

She exhaled sharply, sitting up against the plush headboard, her fingers threading through her loose curls. Why couldn't she let go? She should have kissed Collin tonight. She should have allowed the evening to take its natural course. Maybe if she had, her mind wouldn't be tormenting her with phantom touches of someone who was no longer in her life.

Her hand hesitated over her nightstand before opening the drawer. A rush of vulnerability washed over her as she pulled out the discreet black device tucked away inside. She hated needing it—hated admitting, even to herself, that she craved something no one else could seem to fulfill at the moment. Settling back against the pillows, Reese allowed herself a moment to surrender to the frustration, her breath quickening as her body sought release.

Minutes later, she lay in silence, her chest rising and falling as the tension melted from her body. The ache eased, but not entirely. Not in the way she had hoped. Reese closed her eyes, finally succumbing to sleep, though her dreams were far from peaceful.

The morning light streamed through the large floor-to-ceiling windows of Reese's condo as she sipped on a steaming cup of tea , Loki perched lazily on the arm of her couch. She had pulled herself together—crisp white blouse tucked into high-waisted tailored slacks, her heels clicking softly as she moved through the space. Today, she had a meeting she couldn't avoid, one that promised to be as uncomfortable as it was important.

Reese stepped into the familiar conference room of the Redwood Realty Group, greeted by the gleam of polished glass and sunlight streaming through floor-to-ceiling windows. The familiar scent of coffee and the faint buzz of conversation brought a pang of nostalgia. It felt like coming home, but also like stepping into a place she'd outgrown.

"Reese Sutherlin!" Victor's booming voice filled the space as he strode toward her, arms wide with a grin that exuded warmth.

"There she is—the woman of the hour!"

"Victor," Reese said with a smile, accepting his firm handshake and pulling him in for a brief hug. "It's good to see you."

"It's been too long," he said, stepping back. "You're glowing, kiddo. I'd say the solo life agrees with you."

Vincent, leaning casually against the edge of the conference table with a mug in hand, chimed in. "Reese, always a pleasure. Though I have to admit, this place is a lot quieter without you."

"Quieter?" Reese raised a brow, sliding into one of the leather chairs. "Victor has enough energy to keep this entire building buzzing."

"True," Vincent conceded, "but we miss your chaos. Keeps us on our toes."

Victor laughed heartily before taking his seat at the head of the table. "You've got us all curious. How's business on the outside? Making waves, I hear."

Reese crossed her legs and leaned back slightly. "It's been good. Busy, for sure. I've had some great leasing deals and steady client interest." Her tone shifted slightly. "But I'll admit, it's not without its challenges."

Victor's smile faded slightly, replaced with genuine concern. "Challenges? Tell us."

Reese pulled her tablet from her bag and opened the listing for the Mediterranean villa. She placed it on the table, sliding it toward Victor and Vincent. The crisp images of the sprawling property glowed on the screen. "This," she said, tapping the edge of the tablet, "has been my biggest challenge."

Both men leaned forward to examine the listing. Vincent let out a low whistle.

"Beautiful. Great location. Why isn't it moving?"

Reese sighed, folding her hands on the table. "It's not for lack of interest. Everyone loves the photos, but when it comes to serious offers, there's hesitation. It's high-end, yes, but the market isn't as robust as it was when Melrose sold. People are cautious."

Victor scrolled through the photos, his brows furrowing in thought. "You're still buzzing in the press from the Melrose deal. Have you tapped into that momentum? Hosted an event? Pitched it to your top-tier clients?"

Reese hesitated. "That buzz... it's a double-edged sword. Most of the calls I've been getting aren't serious buyers. They're people looking to chat about Christian Grey or see if I'll host another event before the year is over."

Vincent smirked knowingly. "Ah, the Grey effect. That masquerade event is still the talk of the town."

"It is," Reese admitted, "but I need more than talk. I need buyers."

Victor nodded thoughtfully. "Well, let's think strategically. What about your former clients that showed interest in Melrose? Any of them looking to upgrade or invest? Even if this property isn't a fit, you could reignite those connections."

"I've reached out to a few," Reese said, "but most of them are holding off until the new year. Everyone's waiting to see how the market shifts."

Vincent leaned back, swirling his coffee. "What about new clients? You've got name recognition now, Reese. People know who you are, and they associate you with high-profile properties. That's gold in this business."

Reese's lips curved into a faint smile. "I've been leveraging that as much as I can. Like I said, I've had some success with leasing contracts and smaller deals, but nothing on this scale. That's why I came to you."

Victor exchanged a glance with Vincent before leaning forward, his elbows resting on the table. "Okay. Let's brainstorm. This property is a gem, but it might need a fresh angle. Have you thought about rebranding the listing? Positioning it as a boutique investment opportunity?"

Reese nodded. "I have, but I think what it really needs is a push from a network like yours. The kind of clients Redwood can reach."

Vincent's eyes narrowed slightly as he considered her words. "We could market it to our international contacts. They love properties like this—something unique, tucked away, with that California charm."

Victor nodded in agreement. "And it's the perfect time of year to target out-of-state buyers looking for a second home. Snowbirds and retirees eat this up."

Reese felt a flicker of hope. "That's exactly the angle I was hoping to explore. So... do you think Redwood can help?"

Victor leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful smile tugging at his lips. "I think we can work something out. But I have to ask—have you considered showing it to Christian Grey?"

Reese blinked, startled. She masked her reaction quickly, keeping her tone even. "Mr. Grey?"

Victor nodded. "He's been quietly looking for a new property. Nothing as extravagant as this, but... he's a man who knows what he wants. If he likes it, he won't hesitate."

Vincent chimed in, his tone casual but pointed. "Even if he's not the right buyer, just having him look at the property could generate buzz. He's a magnet for attention, and you know how the market follows 'celebrity' moves."

Reese hesitated, her chest tightening at the mere mention of Christian's name. "I haven't spoken to Mr. Grey since the Melrose property closed. He sent a proxy to the signing."

Victor raised a brow. "Well, maybe it's time to reconnect. Even if it's just to gauge his interest. A single meeting could open doors."

Reese studied the tablet, her mind swirling. Bringing Christian Grey back into her professional orbit was a move she wasn't sure she was ready for. But Victor and Vincent were right—he could be the key to selling the villa.

"I'll think about it," she said finally, her tone careful.

Victor smiled, leaning back. "That's all we ask. And remember, we're here to help, Reese. You're still part of this family."

Reese's lips curved into a faint smile, though her thoughts were already racing ahead. She gathered her things, thanked them, and walked out of the office with a mix of determination and unease.