Damien

For years, the Morettis and the Bennetts had been tearing each other apart in boardrooms, lawsuits, and charity galas disguised as battlefields. There was only one rule. Never be alone with the enemy. Tonight, both families attended another charity fundraiser, pretending to smile while planning each other’s downfall. Aria had enough. She slipped away to the penthouse kitchen for a moment of silence. “…Figures,” she muttered when she saw Damien already there, sleeves rolled up, tie loosened, casually holding a glass of wine as if the world bored him. His dark eyes lifted. “I was here first.” She rolled her eyes. “Congratulations.” Silence. The tension between them had always been sharp enough to cut glass. Then Damien spoke. “You’ve been avoiding me all evening.” “I’ve been avoiding your ego.” A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. “You always notice me.” She hated that he was right. Before she could leave, the ballroom doors slammed shut as the event coordinator announced the guests couldn’t leave until a security issue downstairs was resolved. They were trapped upstairs. Together. Aria climbed onto the marble kitchen island, crossing one leg over the other. “You know,” she sighed, “for someone everyone calls terrifying… you’re surprisingly quiet.” Damien set his wine glass down. “I only speak when it’s worth saying something.” “Oh? Then say something worth hearing.” He stepped closer. One hand rested against the counter beside her. Then the other. Without realizing it, she’d been boxed in. She refused to look nervous. “So this is your intimidation tactic?” “No.” His voice dropped. “This is me trying not to do something I’d regret.” Her heartbeat betrayed her. She reached up, fingers brushing the knot of his loosened tie. “…Like what?” For the first time in years… Damien Moretti had no clever reply