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CHAPTER 34 ROSE'S POV As soon as Damien started, I heard footsteps approaching. The kitchen doors swung open, and the maids strolled in like nothing was happening under the table. "Oh! Good morning, Miss Rose!" one of the maids chirped, completely oblivious to the absolute chaos happening beneath the counter. My breath hitched in my throat, my entire body locking up as I fought to stay still. "Miss Rose, are you alright?" the head chef asked, his head tilting slightly as if sensing something was off. I parted my lips to respond, to say something—anything—but the only sound that escaped was a choked, broken gasp. And of course, Damien chose that exact moment to go even harder, his tongue ruthless against me. A sharp cry caught in my throat, my fingers digging into the counter as I fought to keep my sanity. "Miss Rose?" The chef’s voice sounded distant, muffled by the roaring blood in my ears. "I—I’m—" I tried to say, but my words failed me, drowning under the intensity of what was
CHAPTER 35 ROSE'S POV I had just stepped into the house when my phone started buzzing, the vibration rattling against my palm before I could even shut the door behind me. Mom. Of course. I let it ring, refusing to deal with whatever crisis she had decided to throw at me today. Then it buzzed again, and again, each time more insistent than the last. With a frustrated groan, I threw my bag onto the couch and snatched up my phone, finally giving in. "Mom: Your father is sick. Start saving money.” "Mom: Also, we saw the news." “Mom: Engaged to Damien Sterling? What the hell is this nonsense, Rose? I had no time to even process those words before my phone rang again, the shrill sound grating against my already frayed nerves. I let out a sharp breath before answering, my voice flat and cold. "What now?" "What do you mean, what?" My father’s voice boomed through the speaker. "You have the guts to get engaged to Damien Sterling?" My entire body locked up, fingers tightening around the
CHAPTER 36ROSE'S POVMonday morning came too fast.I woke up to the sound of Damien’s deep voice murmuring something on a phone call, his body half-draped over mine. His warmth was still surrounding me, making it hard to get up, even though he was already moving. I groaned, burying my face in the pillow.“Five more minutes,” I mumbled.A low chuckle rumbled from his chest. “You said that ten minutes ago.”I felt him shift, and then the unmistakable press of his lips landed on my bare shoulder. A slow kiss that sent a shiver down my spine.“Time to wake up, Sinclair,” he murmured against my skin.I sighed and forced my eyes open. Damien was already dressed—well, mostly. His shirt was unbuttoned, showing off the sculpted perfection of his chest.He sat on the edge of the bed, slipping on his watch, but then turned back to me, reaching into his pocket. “Here.”I blinked down at the black credit card he placed on the nightstand beside me.“Do whatever,” he said casually, standing up. “Go
CHAPTER 37 ROSE'S POV By the time we finished the massages, facials, and hair treatments, we looked and felt completely transformed. Karen ran her fingers through her hair, admiring the silky shine. "I swear, this is the best my hair has ever felt." Danny smirked. "Let's see how long that lasts before you run back into a newsroom." I glanced at my reflection. The tension I had been carrying was gone. My skin looked refreshed, my hair softer, and for the first time in weeks, I felt at ease. As we left the spa, the receptionist approached once more. "Miss Sinclair, we've placed everything on Mr. Sterling's tab. Please let us know if you need anything else." Karen turned to me with an arched brow. "He paid for all of this?" I shrugged. "Apparently." Danny sighed. "I hate to say it, but... if he keeps this up, even I might start liking the guy." I laughed. "Don't get ahead of yourself." After the spa, we stepped out into the crisp afternoon air, completely refreshed. My body fel
CHAPTER 38 DAMEN'S POV I leaned back in my chair, signing off on yet another high-stakes merger proposal, my eyes skimming the papers in front of me while Madison's voice droned on, listing update after update in her usual efficient tone. "-the deal with Vanguard Holdings is set to be finalized by the end of the week. Their lawyers are still pushing for adjustments on the liquidation clause, but our legal team says it's nothing they can't handle." I nodded, barely looking up as I flipped to the next document. "Good. Let them know-if they stall past Friday, we're pulling out." Madison adjusted her glasses. "Understood. Also, the Shanghai project-" My phone vibrated on the desk, cutting her off mid-sentence. I let it ring, uninterested. Madison, used to these interruptions, carried on without missing a beat. "-the contractors need a final green light on the architectural plans. I've scheduled a video call with the lead developer at three-" The phone vibrated again, more insistent th
CHAPTER 39ROSE'S POVEven by the time I got home, Damien’s text was still running through my mind. They’d look best wrapped around my throat. I should have ignored it. I really tried. But those words played on repeat, burning into my mind, making my skin heat up in a way I wasn’t ready to acknowledge.I kicked off my shoes and ran a hand through my damp hair, exhaling slowly. Maybe a cold shower would help. Then, just as I turned, my eyes landed on something unexpected.A black box sitting neatly on my bed.My brows furrowed as I stepped closer. The box was sleek, its edges crisp, tied with an expensive satin ribbon that practically gleamed under the light. I hesitated for a moment before finally pulling at the ribbon, watching as the bow unraveled beneath my fingers. With a deep breath, I lifted the lid.Inside lay a dress—deep red silk, flowing and luxurious, the kind designed to make men forget how to think. And sitting atop the fabric was a small card.Wear this tonight. We’re go
CHAPTER 1ROSE'S POV“Oh, Senator Durian’s here too... wealthy motherfuckers,” I muttered under my breath, snapping a picture of him stepping out of his limousine, surrounded by a cluster of sycophants. His suit looked like it cost more than my rent for the year. I tugged at the thin strap of my camera bag and stepped deeper into the shadows by the hedge. “How predictable. A scandalous party with the usual corrupt suspects.”I checked the screen of my camera. Shots of influencers, politicians, and socialites graced the gallery. Not bad, but not good enough. My editor wanted something exclusive, something that would make headlines, and honestly, so did I.“Come on, Rose,” I whispered to myself. “You can do better than this.”Through the side entrance, a waiter pushed a cart laden with champagne flutes. I straightened up. The villa’s back entrance. My chance.My best friend and occasional partner in crime, Amy, had warned me not to take risks. "Stick to photographing guests outside. No
CHAPTER 2ROSE'S POVWhen I woke up, my body jolted like I’d been struck by lightning. My head pounded, and I shot up, glancing around the unfamiliar room."Where am I?" I demanded, my voice hoarse. Damien Sterling’s voice was infuriatingly calm. “You’re awake. Good. Now, calm down.”"Don’t tell me to calm down!" I shot back, glaring at him. He sat across from me, annoyingly composed, like he hadn’t just knocked me out minutes ago. “ Let’s start with this: who is the girl in the picture to you?”I hesitated, weighing my options. But what was the point of lying? He’d already caught me red-handed. “She’s my sister,” I said through clenched teeth.Damien’s brows lifted slightly, the first sign of genuine surprise I’d seen from him. “Your sister?”“Yes. Now answer my question—where is she?” My hands balled into fists.He leaned back, studying me like I was some sort of puzzle. “Interesting. I didn’t know she had a sister.”“You’re dodging the question!” I snapped.“And you’re too loud,”
CHAPTER 39ROSE'S POVEven by the time I got home, Damien’s text was still running through my mind. They’d look best wrapped around my throat. I should have ignored it. I really tried. But those words played on repeat, burning into my mind, making my skin heat up in a way I wasn’t ready to acknowledge.I kicked off my shoes and ran a hand through my damp hair, exhaling slowly. Maybe a cold shower would help. Then, just as I turned, my eyes landed on something unexpected.A black box sitting neatly on my bed.My brows furrowed as I stepped closer. The box was sleek, its edges crisp, tied with an expensive satin ribbon that practically gleamed under the light. I hesitated for a moment before finally pulling at the ribbon, watching as the bow unraveled beneath my fingers. With a deep breath, I lifted the lid.Inside lay a dress—deep red silk, flowing and luxurious, the kind designed to make men forget how to think. And sitting atop the fabric was a small card.Wear this tonight. We’re go
CHAPTER 38 DAMEN'S POV I leaned back in my chair, signing off on yet another high-stakes merger proposal, my eyes skimming the papers in front of me while Madison's voice droned on, listing update after update in her usual efficient tone. "-the deal with Vanguard Holdings is set to be finalized by the end of the week. Their lawyers are still pushing for adjustments on the liquidation clause, but our legal team says it's nothing they can't handle." I nodded, barely looking up as I flipped to the next document. "Good. Let them know-if they stall past Friday, we're pulling out." Madison adjusted her glasses. "Understood. Also, the Shanghai project-" My phone vibrated on the desk, cutting her off mid-sentence. I let it ring, uninterested. Madison, used to these interruptions, carried on without missing a beat. "-the contractors need a final green light on the architectural plans. I've scheduled a video call with the lead developer at three-" The phone vibrated again, more insistent th
CHAPTER 37 ROSE'S POV By the time we finished the massages, facials, and hair treatments, we looked and felt completely transformed. Karen ran her fingers through her hair, admiring the silky shine. "I swear, this is the best my hair has ever felt." Danny smirked. "Let's see how long that lasts before you run back into a newsroom." I glanced at my reflection. The tension I had been carrying was gone. My skin looked refreshed, my hair softer, and for the first time in weeks, I felt at ease. As we left the spa, the receptionist approached once more. "Miss Sinclair, we've placed everything on Mr. Sterling's tab. Please let us know if you need anything else." Karen turned to me with an arched brow. "He paid for all of this?" I shrugged. "Apparently." Danny sighed. "I hate to say it, but... if he keeps this up, even I might start liking the guy." I laughed. "Don't get ahead of yourself." After the spa, we stepped out into the crisp afternoon air, completely refreshed. My body fel
CHAPTER 36ROSE'S POVMonday morning came too fast.I woke up to the sound of Damien’s deep voice murmuring something on a phone call, his body half-draped over mine. His warmth was still surrounding me, making it hard to get up, even though he was already moving. I groaned, burying my face in the pillow.“Five more minutes,” I mumbled.A low chuckle rumbled from his chest. “You said that ten minutes ago.”I felt him shift, and then the unmistakable press of his lips landed on my bare shoulder. A slow kiss that sent a shiver down my spine.“Time to wake up, Sinclair,” he murmured against my skin.I sighed and forced my eyes open. Damien was already dressed—well, mostly. His shirt was unbuttoned, showing off the sculpted perfection of his chest.He sat on the edge of the bed, slipping on his watch, but then turned back to me, reaching into his pocket. “Here.”I blinked down at the black credit card he placed on the nightstand beside me.“Do whatever,” he said casually, standing up. “Go
CHAPTER 35 ROSE'S POV I had just stepped into the house when my phone started buzzing, the vibration rattling against my palm before I could even shut the door behind me. Mom. Of course. I let it ring, refusing to deal with whatever crisis she had decided to throw at me today. Then it buzzed again, and again, each time more insistent than the last. With a frustrated groan, I threw my bag onto the couch and snatched up my phone, finally giving in. "Mom: Your father is sick. Start saving money.” "Mom: Also, we saw the news." “Mom: Engaged to Damien Sterling? What the hell is this nonsense, Rose? I had no time to even process those words before my phone rang again, the shrill sound grating against my already frayed nerves. I let out a sharp breath before answering, my voice flat and cold. "What now?" "What do you mean, what?" My father’s voice boomed through the speaker. "You have the guts to get engaged to Damien Sterling?" My entire body locked up, fingers tightening around the
CHAPTER 34 ROSE'S POV As soon as Damien started, I heard footsteps approaching. The kitchen doors swung open, and the maids strolled in like nothing was happening under the table. "Oh! Good morning, Miss Rose!" one of the maids chirped, completely oblivious to the absolute chaos happening beneath the counter. My breath hitched in my throat, my entire body locking up as I fought to stay still. "Miss Rose, are you alright?" the head chef asked, his head tilting slightly as if sensing something was off. I parted my lips to respond, to say something—anything—but the only sound that escaped was a choked, broken gasp. And of course, Damien chose that exact moment to go even harder, his tongue ruthless against me. A sharp cry caught in my throat, my fingers digging into the counter as I fought to keep my sanity. "Miss Rose?" The chef’s voice sounded distant, muffled by the roaring blood in my ears. "I—I’m—" I tried to say, but my words failed me, drowning under the intensity of what was
CHAPTER 33 ROSE'S POV The first thing I felt as I woke up was a dangerously comforting warmth. My body was nestled against something firm, radiating heat like a furnace. My eyes slowly blinked open, trying to adjust to the morning light, confused and unfocused. My entire body went stiff as I realized I wasn’t just lying in my bed. I was sprawled over Damien. A wave of pure, heart-stopping panic crashed into me, sending my pulse into a wild sprint. My breath hitched, my body frozen like a deer caught in headlights. Oh. My. God. What the hell was I doing here? My entire body locked up, every muscle going taut with alarm. What the actual hell was I doing lying on top of him? My pulse hammered against my ribs, a mix of horror and something else I refused to name slamming into me. Then it all came flooding back in a rush—his hands gripping me, the way he had taken control, how he had ruined me in the best and worst ways. My skin flushed hot, my stomach coiling with something dangerou
CHAPTER 32DAMIEN'S POVI let her do it. I let her take what she wanted. She sank down onto me, inch by inch, rolling her hips in a slow, torturous rhythm.Fuck.My hands snapped to her waist, fingers digging in as my head fell back against the pillows.“Shit,” I groaned, my grip tightening, trying and failing, to keep some semblance of control as she moved deliberately slow, torturing me with every motion.And then she started riding me in earnest, her moans breathless, her body moving like she was made for this. For me.Just as she thought she was in control, I sat up suddenly, one hand wrapping around her throat, guiding her gaze to mine.Her breath stuttered, her body tensing as I leaned in, my lips brushing against the shell of her ear, my voice dark and unwavering.“What’s my name?”She trembled beneath me, chest rising and falling unevenly. I tightened my grip—just enough to remind her, just enough to make her shiver.She swallowed hard, her lips parting, hesitation flickering
CHAPTER 31DAMIEN'S POVMy fingers found the hem of her dress, pushing it up as my hands traced along her thighs. Smooth. Warm. She felt like fire beneath my fingertips, and I wanted to touch every inch of her.She gasped when my hands gripped her waist, and in one swift motion, I flipped her onto her back. She barely had time to catch her breath before I was on her again, capturing her mouth in another heated kiss.Her fingers fumbled at my buttons, her frustration growing as they refused to cooperate.I chuckled, watching her struggle. “Need help?”She glared at me, her lips kiss-swollen, her breathing uneven. “You have too many buttons.”I smirked, then reached up, gripping the fabric at my shoulders—and tore the shirt open with a sharp rip.Her breath hitched. “That… was hot.”Her fingers hesitated for half a second before trailing over my chest, tracing the hard ridges of muscle.A deep exhale left my lips. “You’re pushing it, Rose.”She smiled, slow and knowing, then leaned in,