Aria didn't move for a long time after Damian left.
The room felt… different.
Quieter.
But not peaceful.
Her fingers were still resting lightly against her lips, her mind replaying the moment over and over again.
That almost kiss.
Her heart skipped just thinking about it.
"What is happening to me…" she whispered.
This wasn't part of the deal.
None of this was supposed to feel personal.
And yet—
It did.
Too much.
A soft knock broke her thoughts.
Aria turned quickly.
"Yes?"
The door opened slightly, and a maid stepped in.
"Miss Aria, Mr. Blackwood asked me to bring you downstairs."
Her chest tightened.
"Now?"
"Yes."
Of course.
Everything with him was now.
No time to think.
No time to prepare.
When she stepped into the living room again, the atmosphere was completely different from earlier.
The tension was still there—
But colder.
More controlled.
Damian stood near the window, his back to her, speaking to someone on the phone.
"I don't care what it costs," he said sharply. "Handle it."
He ended the call before turning around.
His eyes landed on her immediately.
And for a second—
Just a second—
Something flickered there.
Something softer.
But it disappeared just as quickly.
"You called me?" she asked.
He nodded once.
"We need to talk."
Her stomach dropped slightly.
That didn't sound good.
"About what?" she asked carefully.
He walked toward her slowly.
Measured.
Focused.
"Your stepbrother didn't come here just to argue," he said.
"I figured that," she replied.
"He's pushing for the marriage to happen immediately."
Her breath caught.
"What?"
"He's speeding things up," Damian continued. "Which means he's desperate."
Her hands clenched slightly.
"That's not good, is it?"
"No," he said.
"It's not."
Silence fell between them.
Heavy.
Then—
"What are you going to do?" she asked.
His gaze held hers.
"I already told you."
Her heart skipped.
"I protect what's mine."
There it was again.
That word.
Mine.
It hit differently this time.
Stronger.
More real.
"You keep saying that," she said slowly. "Like I don't have a say in it."
"You had a say," he replied. "You made your choice."
Her chest tightened.
"That doesn't mean I belong to you."
He stepped closer.
Of course he did.
"It means you chose to stand with me."
Her pulse quickened.
"That's not the same thing."
"No," he agreed quietly.
"It's not."
But the way he said it—
Made it feel like it could become that.
Aria exhaled slowly, trying to steady herself.
"So what's the plan?" she asked.
"For now," Damian said, "you stay here."
Her brows frowned.
"I'm already doing that."
"You don't leave without me," he added.
Her frustration flared slightly.
"You're serious?"
"Yes."
"That's not protection—that's control."
His gaze sharpened.
"It's both."
Her heart skipped.
At least he was honest.
"And what if I don't like that?" she challenged.
A pause.
Then—
"You don't have to like it."
Her jaw tightened.
"You're impossible."
"And yet," he said calmly,
"You're still here."
She had no response to that.
Because he was right.
Again.
Silence stretched between them.
But this time—
It wasn't just tension.
It was something else.
Something heavier.
Something harder to ignore.
"Why didn't you kiss me?"
The question slipped out before she could stop it.
The moment it did—
Her eyes widened slightly.
His expression didn't change.
But the air did.
Instantly.
Charged.
Dangerous.
"What?" he asked quietly.
Her heart started racing.
"I mean—earlier—"
"I know what you meant."
His voice was lower now.
Deeper.
Her throat went dry.
"Then answer me."
A long pause.
Then—
"I was interrupted."
Her breath hitched.
"That's not an answer."
His gaze darkened.
"It's the only one you need."
Her pulse quickened.
"No," she said softly. "It's not."
Before she could think—
She stepped closer.
Closing the distance this time.
Not him.
Her.
His eyes flickered slightly in surprise.
Just for a second.
"You always stop just before something happens," she said quietly.
"And you always think too much," he replied.
Their faces were close again.
Too close.
Her heart pounded wildly.
"Then maybe I should stop thinking," she whispered.
His jaw tightened.
"Careful, Aria."
"Why?" she asked softly.
"Because you don't know what you're asking for."
Her breath caught.
"Then show me."
Silence.
Heavy.
Electric.
This time—
He didn't hesitate.
His hand came up to her waist, pulling her closer firmly.
Her breath hitched sharply.
The sudden contact sent a rush of heat through her body.
"Don't say I didn't warn you," he murmured.
And then—
He leaned in.
No hesitation.
No pause.
His lips brushed against hers—
Soft at first.
Testing.
Like he was giving her a chance to pull away.
She didn't.
And that was all it took.
The kiss deepened slightly.
Not rushed.
Not aggressive.
But controlled.
Intentional.
His hand tightened at her waist, pulling her just a little closer.
Her fingers gripped his shirt instinctively.
Her heart raced wildly as everything else faded away.
For a moment—
Nothing else existed.
Not the danger.
Not the deal.
Not the consequences.
Just this.
Just him.
And then—
He pulled back.
Suddenly.
Like he had caught himself.
Aria's breath came out unevenly, her mind spinning.
Why did he stop?
Again.
His forehead rested lightly against hers for a second.
His breathing steady.
Unlike hers.
"This changes things," he said quietly.
Her heart skipped.
"Does it?"
"Yes."
"How?"
His eyes met hers.
Dark.
Serious.
"Now I don't want this to be just a contract anymore."
Her chest tightened.
Because that—
That was exactly what she had been afraid of.
Before she could respond—
A phone rang again.
Sharp.
Interrupting.
Damian pulled away completely this time, his expression returning to cold control as he answered.
"Yes."
Silence.
Then his eyes darkened.
"Where?"
Aria's stomach dropped.
Not again.
He ended the call and looked at her.
"This isn't over," he said.
Her heart started racing again.
"What happened now?"
His voice lowered.
"They've made their next move."
A chill ran down her spine.
"What does that mean?"
His gaze locked onto hers.
"It means they're not coming for you here anymore."
Her breath caught.
"Then where?"
A pause.
Then—
"They're going after your family."