l me that you were

halfway to the kitchen. Six months had passed since that night. The night that they f*cked themselves passionately. They have chosen to forget that night. Afte

va replied, setting her cl

nsely. "And since when does my assistant

under his gaze. "It is just a charity dinner, D

were seated next to." H

bled over her shoulders. "Do you really think I am s

in the air: After everyt

but there were moments now when he let his guard down with her. She had caught him watching her with something like longing in his eyes. He'd taken her to Paris for a

her. He didn't want to open himself to Ava complet

ook very beautiful tonight," he said quietly, and it was almo

she replied

en took the champagne flute from her h

e you tak

ome, wi

h the moonlight. The air carried the faint scent of rain. Damien l

for quite some tim

she teased, but her voi

gnoring her jab, "about how much has

. "Changed... I d

porary arrangement, just a one-year contract bride." His jaw tightened, as if

lings. Before she could respond, his phone rang in his pocket. His expression darkened when

months ago, she would have given anything to hear him say she mattered.

r the secret felt. She couldn't bring herself to tell him. She'd tried to find the right moment to tell him, but there never seemed to be

y with Damien, she realized ther

his mood was unreadable. He poured himself a drink, downed i

distracted la

could say the

ortly. "There is nothing

mien. You never tell me

hers, sharp and co

ng around like I'm tiptoeing through a minefield in this relationship. An

se, crossing to her in three

t. I don't know where I stand with you anymore or wher

I put you," he said in

ped. "That's not good eno

d them became quiet. And then Damien did what he always did when

kiss that erased thought in a second. Her hands gripped h

Damien rested his forehead against hers.

her moment-before the fear returned

rced herself to meet his eyes. "There is s

lightly, frownin

ther, her throat dry. "I

ion froze. He was so shocked, but something darker and sh

ice so calm that it c

se i