Chapter 77
Chapter 77
ATVIR
No supper. No note. No Warm thpt on the sheer beside me. Just a dull ache in my legs, a burn on my threat where his mouth hud daimed
E
Bin 7 wasn’t going to cult. Not in front of him.
By the time I walked into the kitchen, I was composed. Fresh makeup, sleek ponytail, body wrapped in one of my silk two-pieces like simor. Polished. Distant.
Unbothered.
He was already there, seated at the island with his coffee, flipping through the Financial Times like he hadn’t rearranged my world against a granite slab hours ago.
“Morning,” I said breezily, light.
“Morning.” He looked up. Blinked once. “Coffee p>
“No, none for me p>
1 moved to the fridge, took my time pouring juice into a tall glass like nothing inside me was trembling.
“Sabine invited me to London last night,” I said casually, settling across from him at the island.
“She told me p>
“And you’re allowing it p>
“This is a contract marriage, Venus. Not bondage. You can go wherever the hell you want p>
Ah. There it was. A reminder that whatever we had was just physical. Just obligation.
“But it’s a problem when I work for Dorian?” I didn’t know where that came from-and I regretted it the second it slipped out.
“You’re capable of making your own choices, Venus. If working for Dorian is it for you, then by all means p>
He didn’t even flinch. Just sipped his coffee like we were discussing the weather.
His calm made me furious.
“Glad to know I have your blessing,” I said tightly, sipping my juice even though it suddenly tasted like nothing.
He finally set his cup down, eyes rising to mine-cool, unreadable, maddeningly composed.
Chapter 77
“I’m not ventre Venue
“No” I said. Juk nding to something strever like a mile, her the man his won’t touch me unless the lights are off at the feelings are on p>
That did n
His eyes sharpened jaw clenched. He didn’t repond mwmediately, and the silence between us thickened- heavy with the things we didn’t egy
“You think that’s what test night were! Its wore was low. Taut.
last
1 blinked. “What, sex? On a bar counter? I think the marble still remembers me p>
His eyes darkened. “You could’ve said no p>
“I didn’t want to,” I shot back. “Don’t flatter yourself-I enjoyed it. But don’t confuse desire with meaning. Aaron. I’m not stupid p>
“Glad to know we’re on the same page p>
“Right.” I smoothed a breath back into my lungs. “Sabine said she invited us for dinner after work. Connor’s joining too p>
His jaw ticked, just briefly. “She did p>
I sipped my juice, pretending not to notice. “I can reschedule if that’s easier for you p>
His eyes met mine for the first time that morning. “No. We’re going p>
A beat passed. Neither soft nor cold. Just… layered.
So I stood, smoothed down the hem of my top. “Alright. I’ll see you later, then p>
I started to walk away.
“Venus”
His voice stopped me mid-step. Soft, but edged. Like he didn’t mean to say my name-but couldn’t help it.
I turned slightly, just enough to glance over my shoulder. “Yeah p>
He didn’t stand. Didn’t move.
Just looked at me like he was weighing something heavy behind those storm-colored eyes. Then-
“I’ll get you a chauffeur p>
I blinked, confused. “What p>
“You can’t drive, can you p>
Chapter 27
“Then he de fet die year to work
suan) real herete any of you ears. I’m content taking taxic*
1 gene more to you were then Nas
There goes again Confusing me with gereres I didn’t ask for.
You want to go to a deadership p>
1 just stared at him
“Make your pick,” he said. “I’ll get it for you p>
I stared
Not because 1 didn’t understand what he was saying.
But because I did.
Because Aaron Sinclair didn’t do softness. Not after sex. Not in the morning. And definitely not when he was sipping black coffee and pretending we were still just names on a contract.
“You want to buy me a car,” I said slowly, like I needed to hear it aloud.
He didn’t blink. “You shouldn’t be getting into strangers’ cars every day p>
My chest tightened. “It hasn’t been a problem till now p>
“It is now p>
His voice was quiet-but laced with something sharper. Possessive. Final.
I crossed my arms. “You’re being p>
“Careful,” he cut in. “I’m being careful with what’s… you p>
I didn’t know what to do with that. Didn’t even know what I was to him. But I held my chin high and gave him the smallest shrug I could manage without combusting.
“Alright,” I said, casual. “Guess I’ll start browsing p>
He nodded once. That was it.
I turned again, heels clicking across the tile, but my insides twisted.
Not from anger.
Chapers 77
Not even free fuction
From the damn whe
hauer despite every wall I’d bulky Tender 1 fed myself about what this was supposed to f wouldn’t tror du at the best till humped at the day of his protection. Even when it wasn’t asked for Even when it came wrapped in cool indifference soul thing new car.
The wouldn’t hold the wher sex Wouldn’t call me hite
But he make sure I was fe
i
He’ll make sure I wasn’t getting into strangers cars. That I had something that fit me.
It didn’t make sense.
And yet it did.
In that twisted, guarded way he cared.
If that’s even what you could call it.
Dinner at Sabine’s was cozy. She greeted me with a hug at the door, all warmth and smiles, like we hadn’t texted four times already today.
“Aaron,” she beamed as he stepped inside behind me, “you’re ten minutes late p>
“We were caught in traffic,” he said coolly, offering her a kiss on the cheek. “Your part of town is a nightmare p>
Connor was already at the table, sleeves rolled to his elbows, glass of wine in hand, grinning like he didn’t hold the power to destroy worlds with a few emails. He stood and gave me a quick hug. His gaze flicked to Aaron, sharp but unreadable. They nodded at each other.
There was something stiff about the air-something subtle but present. Like a thread pulled too tight.
Dinner began with light conversation. Sabine kept the pace, chatting about some art exhibit she wanted to see in London, teasing Connor about his obsession with vintage watches. I smiled when I was supposed to. Laughed when I could. But every time I glanced Aaron’s way, he was watching me.
Not obviously.
But enough.
His hand brushed mine when I reached for the salt. He didn’t move it away fast enough.
Connor noticed. His gaze lingered a second longer than it should’ve. Then flicked to Sabine. Then back to me.
“I heard Dorian offered you something permanent,” he said suddenly, voice casual. Too casual.
Chapter 77
A ja aed Kelder’s foot puded by
1 smiled, are ful 1 Mid
Yar planning an engine?
Connor hummed To sure Auron fuse pintore
Aaron didn’t speak for a momerit. Then: “Vent makes her own deckions”
Sabine rated a brow “Since when
Connor smirked, and Sabine shot him a glare
“Don’t start,” she warned lightly, sipping her wine.
Tm just saying.” Connor shrugged.
“You sound jealous,” I said smoothly. “You want me on your payroll, Connor p>
Ha grin widened. “Not a bad idea p>
Aaron didn’t laugh. Didn’t smile.
Just reached for his glass and took a slow sip.
We moved on after that-kind of. The conversation danced on safer grounds.
Until dessert.
We were halfway through chocolate tart when her voice cut through the hum of polite conversation.
“Aaron p>
His gaze lifted slowly.
Sabine hesitated. Her eyes slid to Connor. Then to me. Then back to her brother.
“I… We need to talk p>
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.