Chapter 1

My lips savored the taste of the wine as I gently patted them dry.

"So," I paused briefly as I stared into the man's eyes, "Why do you want this job?"

He was definitely attractive. The type of man that screamed sex. His body was blessed by the heavens. The sharp features he had were the kind that made you stare a little too long and those cheekbones were cut from stone and a jawline that could wound.

What caught me off guard were his eyes. A shade of green that reminded me of the forest.

"I was part of the army for a couple of years. My dad was shot trying to fight off a couple of guys that were robbing his store. Had I been there he would've stood a chance. I decided that I wanted to do something with my life. I want to protect." His smooth voice caught me off guard.

Protect. That’s what a man should do.

My mind wandered back to my husband. On paper he was my husband but in reality he was a monster. He didn’t give me the time of the day. He was abusive in his words and actions. I was trapped in this marriage because without him I would have nothing and no one.

"That's a great answer and I’m sorry about your dad.”

"Tell me, Mrs. Pembroke, why do you need a bodyguard?" Damien asked as he took a sip of the wine.

"I wanted...protection. My husband has been dealing with some sketchy business men and I don't feel safe."

He raised a brow at me but he didn't say anything further.

Could he see through my lie?

Sure, Nico was dealing with some new partners but he was keeping me in the dark about it and truth be told I was just so bored at home. Besides Nico has cheated on me more times than I could count. He was always with a new woman and if I protested he would threaten a divorce. I signed a prenup so I would be left penniless.

Being married to him meant I couldn't get the chance to just go out and live my life like I normally would.

We were being flocked by the media ever since he was working on building a rocket that could go to space.

"You can call me Aisla. I'll be honest with you. No one has better stats than you and I'm quite sure you'll be great at your job. You're hired."

"Thank you so much Aisla. How soon can I begin?"

"Well, I hired you, didn't I? Effective immediately."

"That sounds dangerously tempting but we haven't discussed my duties. Much less where you'd want me to stay." He smirked at me and I couldn't help the blush that creeped up on me.

"You basically have to follow me around. Protect me. We can discuss more. And for where you'll be staying. It has to be here of course. Consider this your new home. Is that a problem?" I raised a brow and he smiled.

"Not at all."

~

I did my background check on Damien long before I hired him. He seemed like a good guy.

I was currently by the pool clad in a ruby red bikini, the sun was setting as it glimmered against the water.

"Going for a swim?" Damien's voice penetrated my ears.

"Yeah. I take it that you're all settled in?" I asked and he nodded.

"It was a very smooth transition thanks to you."

"You're welcome."

"So when do I meet the boss?" He asked and I rolled my eyes.

"You're looking at her." I chuckled, "Nico works on his own time. I won't know when he would be home. He hasn't been home for a few days."

"Oh, I see."

"Perks of being married to a business man."

"It can't be that bad."

"I can do anything I want, just without him." I sighed.

"How fast can you swim?" He asked.

"What?"

"You have a pool. I assume you can swim well."

"Yes I can swim."

"Race me then." He smirked and I rolled my eyes.

"You're on!"

He peeled off his shirt, revealing sculpted abs that made my breath hitch. His green eyes locked onto mine, sharp and challenging. I caught myself staring longer than I intended.

I quickly looked away, cheeks flushing. Clearing my throat, I tried to sound casual. "I deserve a head start." I smiled, but my heart was pounding.

He stepped closer, voice dropping to a near whisper. "You can have a head start... but don't get too comfortable."

The heat radiating off him was almost unbearable. I dove in, the cold water a shock against my skin but a relief from the intensity of his gaze.

As I pushed through the water, I felt his presence, closer than before. When I surfaced, he was just inches away, his wet hair slicked back, eyes smoldering.

"Looks like this race just got a little more interesting," he murmured, his voice low and thick with promise.

I met his gaze, the air between us crackling with something dangerous and irresistible. "I'm not scared," I whispered back.

"Good," he said, his smile dark and knowing. "Because I never lose."

His voice sent a thrill through me, but I kept my composure. I swam toward him, feeling the cool water calm my racing heart. When I reached the edge, he stood there, watching with those intense green eyes.

"Careful," he said, his tone low but controlled. "Don't want you to lose focus."

I smirked, brushing wet hair from my face. "I'm not that easy to distract."

He nodded, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his features. "Good. Because I'm here to protect you, not to cause trouble."

I met his gaze steadily. "I appreciate that. But a little competition never hurts."

He smiled briefly, then stepped back, giving me space. "Alright, ready for round two?"

"Always."

After our little swimming game I retired to my room.

My mind wandered back to Damien as I sat on the edge of my bed, the house silent around me. His voice, his stare, his nearness — it had all imprinted itself onto me like heat that wouldn't fade.

I exhaled shakily and let my robe fall open, the silk whispering against my skin. I knew I shouldn't. I knew what this meant. But my body ached with something I couldn't ignore anymore. It wasn't just desire. It was escape. It was rebellion.

My fingers trembled slightly as I reached into the drawer and wrapped them around my vibrator. I'd used it before — but never like this. Never with someone else's name on my lips. Never with this burning shame mingled with need.

I lay back slowly, heart thudding in my chest as I let my legs fall open. My hand moved, guided by the memory of Damien's voice in my ear, the way his eyes trailed down my body like he'd already memorized it.

I bit my lip as pleasure built, a low, desperate moan slipping from me. I tried to stop, to remind myself that this was wrong.

But the more I imagined him, the more right it felt.

And when I finally unraveled — it wasn't my husband's name that escaped my lips.

It was his.

Damien.