Chapter 147
Chapter 147
VENUS
Z(61 p>
The morning after the invitations went out, I found myself perched at the breakfast bar, staring at Aaron across the kitchen island while he stirred eggs in a skillet like a man preparing for battle.
I loved watching him cook. It was such a contradiction to the man the world knew. Aaron Sinclair: ruthless, calculating, untouchable. Yet here he was in bare feet and a black t-shirt clinging to his shoulders, brow furrowed in concentration like the fate of nations depended on perfectly scrambled eggs.
I rested my chin in my hand, letting the sight soak into me. These were the moments I hoarded in the back of my mind-the ones that made me feel safe. The ones that made me feel like maybe I was allowed to want this.
When I cleared my throat, his eyes flicked up.
“Nothing.” I grinned. “Just enjoying the view p>
“What p>
A muscle jumped in his jaw, but the corner of his mouth betrayed him, tugging upward just enough to make my stomach flip. He plated the eggs, sliding mine across the counter.
I hesitated before blurting out what had been gnawing at me all morning. “So, Sabine and I are going shopping today p>
The scrape of his fork against the plate was deafening in the silence that followed. He didn’t even look up as he said flatly, “No, you’re not p>
I blinked. “Excuse me p>
He finally lifted his gaze, and the weight of it nearly pinned me to my stool. “I don’t feel comfortable with you wandering through crowded stores like some target waiting to happen. It’s not happening p>
My instinct was to argue. To roll my eyes and accuse him of being overbearing. But I didn’t. Because deep down if I was honest, I loved it. I loved that he cared enough to say no. That he worried, even if he tried to bury it beneath his iron will.
Still, I couldn’t exactly admit that. So instead, I crossed my arms. “Aaron, I’ll be with Sabine. Your sister. Not exactly reckless company p>
His voice dropped. “Do you think I trust the world not to touch you just because you’re with Sabine? And Sabine is the synonym for’Reckless Company p>
The way he said it, it wasn’t controlling, not really. It was possessive, protective, feral. And God help me, I basked in it.
I leaned forward, softening my voice. “Then come with us p>
His brow furrowed. “What p>
“Come with us,” I repeated. “You, me, Sabine and of course your entire army of guards. That way you can
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Chapter 147
keep an eye on me and Sabine gets her shopping spree p>
He studied me for a long beat, then exhaled through his nose like I’d finally worn him down. “Fine. But if I see one man breathe in your direction, I’ll put him in the ground p>
“Dramatic, much?” I teased, hiding the way my chest fluttered at his words.
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The truth was-I liked this Aaron. The Aaron who admired me, who took care of me, who let his emotions slip through the cracks in that armor. The Aaron who pressed quick kisses against my hairline when he thought I wasn’t paying attention, who cooked breakfast and insisted I sleep beside him instead of in my old room. He wouldn’t even let me argue about it.
And maybe I didn’t want to. Because the nightmares were less frequent now. When I woke in the middle of the night, trembling and half-lost in shadows, he was there. His hand steady on my waist, his voice grounding me. Safe. Always safe.
I never told him how thankful I was. Some things were too fragile to put into words.
The shopping trip began like a truce. Aaron kept his distance, a looming presence at the edge of every boutique we entered, but I could feel his attention tethered to me like an invisible thread. The guards flanked us, silent and sharp-eyed, but Aaron was the one my gaze kept finding.
Såbine was in her element, storming through racks of gowns with the energy of a hurricane. She dismissed sequins with a flick of her wrist, banished silks with a sharp “too obvious,” and muttered under her breath about designers she clearly thought beneath her.
I tried on dress after dress, twirling before the mirror as Sabine pursed her lips, arms crossed, judging each one with brutal precision.
“No p>
“Not dramatic enough p>
“Too safe p>
“Venus, you look like you’re going to a funeral, not my launch p>
After the seventh rejection, I flopped into a velvet chair, groaning. “Sabine, I’m dying. My feet are plotting mutiny p>
She barely looked up from her tablet. “Beauty is pain, darling p>
Aaron appeared then, as if summoned by my sigh. He carried two paper bags in one hand, the smell of fresh bread and roasted chicken wafting from it. Without a word, he set one beside me, his hand brushing my shoulder in the barest ghost of a Touch before giving Sabine the other.
I peeked inside, warmth blooming in my chest. He’d brought us food. Of course he had.
Sabine arched a brow. “Well, isn’t he domestic p>
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Chapter 147
I shot her a warning look, but she only smirked, clearly enjoying herself far too much.
I nibbled on the bread, not daring to complain further. After all, Sabine was the designer here. It was her event. If anyone knew what I should wear, it was her.
But as the afternoon wore on and the pile of discarded gowns grew, my hope waned. Nothing felt right. Nothing made her eyes light up with approval.
Finally, she snapped her fingers. “Enough. This is pointless p>
I perked up, hopeful. “Does that mean we’re done p>
“Done with this nonsense, yes,” she said, her eyes glittering. “But not done. Never done p>
My heart sank. “Sabine p>
She waved a hand, cutting me off. “Listen to me, Venus. You don’t need some overworked atelier’s leftover samples. You need something worthy. Something that doesn’t just say you’re back but that you’re untouchable. That you’re mine p>
“Yours p>
“As my muse,” she said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “As the woman who’ll wear one of my pieces and remind this city that Sabine Sinclair doesn’t just design clothes, she designs legends p>
I blinked, stunned into silence.
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Sabine leaned forward, her smile sharp and triumphant. “You’ll wear something from my collection. The centerpiece. The crown jewel. My launch isn’t just about me, Venus, it’s about you. All eyes will be on you. And I want Aaron’s jaw on the floor. Literally p>
Heat flared in my cheeks, spreading down my neck. “Sabine p>
Aaron’s gaze snapped toward us at the sound of my name, his brows furrowed in silent question. I waved him off quickly, mortified, but Sabine only laughed, delighted.
“Oh, don’t look at me like that,” she said, smirking. “I’ve seen the way he looks at you. You could walk in wearing a burlap sack and he’d still want to tear it off. So imagine what happens when you show up in something divine p>
I buried my face in my hands, half-dying from embarrassment and half-well… thrilled.
Because maybe she was right. Maybe this wasn’t just her launch. Maybe it was my re-entry into the world. My chance to step back into the light, not as broken, not as the girl who’d been dragged into shadows but as someone unshakable. Someone Aaron couldn’t take his eyes off.
The thought made my pulse race.
Ruby Walker
Ruby Walker is a rising voice in the world of romance and spicy fiction. With a gift for weaving deep emotions, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected twists, her stories are a blend of passion and drama that captivate readers from start to finish. Ruby’s writing style is bold and irresistible—perfect for those who crave intense, addictive love stories.