5: Avery’s POV

Perfect.

I stare at my reflection in the restroom mirror one last time.

The system has done its job. As a matter of fact, it has done better than I expected it to.

The whole thing still feels like a dream.

My skin glows.

My waist is snatched.

I can’t even lie, I don’t even recognize myself. In comparison to the woman that Elias threw out of his house, I looked like a different person.

My hair falls in soft waves that look professionally styled even though all I did was complete a task this morning.

<< CONFIDENCE +10 >>

My dress is simple—black, sleeveless, hugging the new curves I earned. Elegant but not loud.

My dad had got it for me.

He said he was so proud with just how well I’ve taken care of myself and even gotten the attention of my boss.

He said the dress was exactly what a CEO would expect. He wasn’t wrong.

Plus, it was exactly what Dalia can choke on.

I smooth the fabric down my hips and take a breath.

Tonight, I’m not the old Avery.

I don’t even feel like her.

Tonight, I am brand new.

When Dominic Greyhound arrives at my house at 5:59, the entire Mane household pretends to work harder than they ever have in their lives.

Dominic comes out to greet me like a gentleman. He looks like sin in an expensive suit.

Tall, broad-shouldered, dark eyes sharp enough to slice through a room.

I even catch a glimpse of Claudia gawking at him.

“Ready, Miss Mane?” he asks.

I nod.

He offers his arm.

I hesitate. But just for a second then I take it.

His muscles flex under my hand and a shiver runs straight down my spine.

We arrive at the luxury restaurant where the international partners are already waiting.

Wealthy men in fitted suits. Elegant women dripping diamonds.

The kind of people Claudia and Emilia swore I’d never be “good enough” to stand beside.

Dominic pulls out my chair for me.

Everyone notices and they make light hearted jokes about how Dominic is surprisingly being gentlemanly.

Introductions are made.

Business tycoons from Japan, London, Dubai, New York.

I brace myself for judgment.

But instead… they like me.

Actually like me.

Mr. Tanaka laughs at my joke about office printers having personalities.

Ms. Arlette compliments my insight on customer acquisition.

One of the Dubai partners even says:

“You’re brilliant, Avery. Where has Greyhound Holdings been hiding you?”

Dominic glances at me.

Proud and very possessive. Like he discovered something priceless.

His hand brushes the small of my back as he leans close to speak to a partner and he doesn’t move it.

Good.

I don’t want him to.

Every time I speak, Dominic watches me like I’m the most interesting thing at the table.

Like he brought me here for more than business.

When the dinner ends, the partners leave in black cars, waving their goodbyes, many directed at me.

I’m glowing.

Actually glowing.

This is actually happening. Dominic waits beside me inside his Matte black Rolls Royce.

“You impressed them,” he says quietly.

“I was just trying not to embarrass my boss”

“Miss Mane, you couldn’t. Even if you tried.”

My stomach tightens as he moves closer.

Then he gets too close.

Close enough that he looks carved from something forbidden.

“I’m hungry,” he says.

“Oh. Should we… go back in? Order something?” I ask.

“I wasn’t talking about food from the restaurant, Avery.”

My lips part.

He waits.

Lets the implication sink into my bloodstream like fire.

He takes my hand in his, kisses it while he looks me in the eye.

“Come with me,” he says.

I say yes.

His penthouse is silent and dim except for the city’s glow bleeding through the windows.

He loosens his tie and tosses it aside. While I watch, he unbuttons the top two buttons of his shirt.

I suddenly forget how to breathe.

“I don’t invite people here,Avery” he says. “Ever.”

My heart slams.

“Why me?”

He studies me for so long I start to squirm.

Finally:

“Because you walked into the my building today and every man stared at you like they wanted to devour you.”

He steps closer.

“And I hated it.”

My pulse jumps.

“So you don’t want me. You just don’t want anyone else to have me”

“You don’t get to tell me what I want

“Do you want me, Dominic?”

His fingers trail up my arm. It’s slow, deliberate, claiming.

“You have no idea,” he murmurs, “how long I’ve been trying not to kiss you.”

Then he finally does.

His mouth crashes into mine, and I gasp.

The kiss is hungry, demanding, consuming.

He tastes the way I’ve always imagined; like heat and power and danger.

His hand cups my jaw, tilting my head so he can kiss me deeper.

My knees nearly give out.

When he pulls away, we’re both breathless.

“The best part is you taste like the way you look”

My skin burns and my mind is spinning.

He backs me up against the wall, his body caging mine, but not trapping me.

Just wanting me.

As if he’s been starving.

“Avery,” he murmurs, voice low, “tell me to stop.”

“I don’t want you to.”

His eyes darken completely.

Dominic’s lips trail down my neck, then lower.

Lower.

Lower.

His tongue trailing down my waist, my stomach and my thighs.

I forget my name.

He presses a kiss over my collarbone.

Another along the curve of my shoulder.

Then……

He sinks to his knees.

My breath catches violently.

“Avery,” he says, looking up at me like he’s worshiping something sacred.

“Let me taste you.”

My pulse is a roar in my ears.

His hands slide up my thighs.

He lifts the hem of my dress with slow, sinful intent.

Dominic Greyhound is about to make sure I can’t think about anything but him.