DANGEROUS ATTRACTION

CHAPTER 3

Aria watched Isabella disappear into the crowd.

The woman’s words clung to her like cold air.

Sooner or later, she’ll find out exactly what you are.

A chill moved down her spine. When she turned back to Damien, the easy atmosphere from moments before was gone. In its place sat tension questions, secrecy, and a distance that had not existed until Isabella spoke his name.

“Who exactly was she?” Aria asked.

Damien’s jaw tightened. “Someone I used to know.”

Aria folded her arms. “That answer doesn’t tell me anything.”

A faint smile touched his mouth. “You’re persistent.”

“And you’re avoiding the question.”

Their eyes held. Then Damien exhaled, low and resigned.

“She’s my ex-fiancée.”

Aria blinked. That was not the answer she had expected.

“Ex-fiancée?”

“Yes.”

“And she clearly isn’t over you.”

“That’s her problem.”

Something in his tone pulled a short laugh from her. The sound surprised them both.

Across the rooftop, the crowd continued to thin. Sophia had returned briefly from dancing, only to be drawn back into conversation with a cluster of producers near the bar. She had not yet noticed Aria’s absence.

Which was exactly why Aria was still there alone with Damien longer than she should have been. The thought should have alarmed her more than it did.

For the first time all night, Damien looked almost relaxed. The sharp edges in his expression softened. Aria became suddenly aware of how close they stood. Close enough to study the hard line of his jaw, the dark intensity of his eyes, the faint scent that clung to him wood, smoke, and something wild she could not name.

Her heartbeat rose too fast. She looked away.

Bad idea. This was a very bad idea.

She had caught her boyfriend cheating only hours ago. The last thing she needed was another man especially one who felt as dangerous as Damien Blackwood.

“You’re thinking too much,” his deep voice cut in.

Aria frowned. “How do you know?”

“Your forehead wrinkles when you’re worried.”

Her eyes widened. “You noticed that?”

“I notice everything.”

Unexpected warmth moved through her chest. Jason had dated her for three years and never paid attention to details like that. Damien had known her for a few hours and somehow saw more.

“This is wrong,” Aria muttered. “Very wrong.”

From the shadows at the far edge of the rooftop, Isabella watched them.

Her nails dug into her palm. Damien never looked at anyone that way. Not even her. From the moment she arrived at the party, she had sensed the disturbance his wolf reacting, sharp and unmistakable.

To a human is Impossible.

Unless—

Her eyes widened as the truth struck.

Mate.

The human actress was Damien’s mate.

Rage surged through her so fast it burned. After everything she had sacrificed. After years spent securing her place beside him. A human woman was going to take it all?

Over her dead body.

Aria’s phone vibrated.

She glanced at the screen.

Jason.

Even blocked, he had found another number. The message made her stomach turn.

Please talk to me. I made a mistake.

A mistake as if betrayal could be reduced to a single careless word. Her expression darkened.

Damien noticed at once. “What happened?”

“Nothing.”

His gaze stayed on her, unconvinced.

Aria sighed. “My ex-boyfriend.”

Understanding moved across his face. “The one who hurt you.”

She nodded.

Anger flickered in Damien’s eyes too sharp for a man who barely knew her. The thought of another man making his mate cry woke something dark and possessive under his skin. His wolf growled low.

Mine.

He ignored it. Barely.

“Block him again,” he said.

Aria laughed under her breath. “You’re very bossy.”

“Only when necessary.”

The corner of her mouth lifted, and Damien realized something alarming: he liked making her smile far more than he should.

Hours later, the party finally began to die. Most guests had gone. City lights glittered beneath them, and the night felt strangely endless. Neither of them seemed eager to leave.

A comfortable silence settled—then Damien stood.

“Come with me.”

Aria looked up. “What?”

“I know a place.”

She narrowed her eyes. “A secret location?”

“Something like that.”

His smile did nothing to reassure her. And yet, strangely, she trusted him more than she probably should.

“Fine,” she said. “But if you’re secretly a serial killer, I’m leaving.”

Damien laughed genuine, deep, and warm. The sound sent a flutter through her stomach that she refused to name.

Neither of them noticed the pair of eyes watching from the darkness below.

Or the black SUV parked across the street.

Inside it, Isabella sat cold and still, calculating. As she watched Damien lead Aria away, she lifted her phone.

“It’s me,” she said, voice icy. “Find out everything about Aria Johnson.”

She ended the call.

A cruel smile curved slowly across her mouth.

Because if Aria thought her biggest problem was a cheating boyfriend, she was about to learn how wrong she was.