I AM NOT YOURS

Silence followed his words, and it wasn’t the empty kind. This was the kind of silence that weighed down on both parties. I did not react immediately, I was too stunned to.

I rested my fingers against the edges of the table as I stared into his eyes. Three million dollars was more than I would have ever expected to get. It was more than enough, not just to start but to also dominate.

But one thing I had learned from my past life was that no favour was ever free, especially money.

“What do you want in return?” I asked, already dreading his answer,

“Smart,” he murmured under his breath,

“I’ve learned to be,” I replied, “Especially when I get an offer as large as that.”

His eyes flickered at my words, part interest and part curiosity. He leaned back slightly on his chair and straightened his cuffs like a man who knew he had my utmost attention.

“What I want…” he paused, “Is a return on my investment,”

“Define return.” My brows furrowed as I cut in,

His smile deepened, “I want a percentage of all profits.”

I studied him carefully. That was surprising, because it sounded too reasonable.

“What about control?” I asked,

He lifted his brows and shook his head,

“No,” he answered, “I already have far too much in my hand to try and wrest control of a project like this.”

I didn’t look away, instead, I stared straight into his eyes,

“You want no control?”

“None,” he repeated in a steady tone,

There was a pause, before he explained when he realized how shocked I was.

“I do not invest in things I need to control,” he added, “Besides, if I’m putting money into something, it means I trust it to grow and make a profit on its own.”

Those were respectable words, yes, but there was something about the way he said them that made my chest tighten. Still I didn’t let my thoughts show.

“What if my investment fails?” I asked,

His answer came with a shrug, “Then I will lose three million dollars,” he replied, “I’ve lost far more in the past.”

I narrowed my eyes, “You are very confident,”

“In you,” he replied, smiling now, “Yes.”

That answer lingered in my mind longer than it should have. Finally, I let out a sigh and leaned back in my chair while also crossing one leg over the other.

Damien wasn’t like Adrian. Adrian demanded and expected things. Damien simply observed and waited.

In my book, that made him far more dangerous than Adrian ever could.

“You are not even asking me what the herb is,” I noted, trying but failing to keep the frustrations out of my voice.

I had not expected getting the funding I needed to be this easy, so my mind was still muddled.

“I could,” he shrugged,

“But you won't,” I completed his words for him,

“Yes,” he answered, “You clearly do not want to tell me, and I am not about to force you to tell me your secrets on our first date.”

A faint smile tugged at the corner of my lips, that was a good answer.

“You are either very smart or very lucky if that’s how fast you invest your money on ideas,” I said, meeting his gaze.

“Does it matter?” he replied,

“No,” I shook my head, “Not really. I have thought about it and I would be a fool not to accept your offer. Thank you, Damien.”

“Good,” he nodded, “Cheers to our new partnership.” He lifted his glass and I lifted mine.

The moment we clinked our glasses, a calm spread across the top floor.

Damien’s shoulders seemed to loosen and he leaned forward,

“I can make things easier for you,” he said after a moment, “I can get you in touch with suppliers, logistics companies and even introduce you to some people high up in the trade center.”

I shook my head, the introduction I might need later, but the others I was going to get myself.

“I don’t need easy,” I finally replied,

His brow arched, “Then what do you need?” he asked,

“I need something effective.”

A slow grin spread across his face, “I like that.”

“There are still some things we need to iron out,” I leaned forward and began to tap my fingers on the table, “Even if it’s your money, there are going to be conditions.”

Damien’s eyes lit up, “Go on,” he said, taking a sip from his glass,

“I do not want any interference in my actions.” I said, “There are to be no questions I chose not to answer,”

His gaze didn’t waver, “And?”

“I said it earlier, and I will say it again. I do not want control,” I continued, “Over my decisions, my movements or my strategies.”

There was a pause as he processed my words before nodding,

“Finally,” I paused as I looked up at him, “If I decide to walk away, I walk away.”

Damien didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he studied me like he was trying to decide on something. Finally, he gave me a slow approving nod.

“I accept those terms,”

There was no argument, no negotiations. And that alone told me everything I needed to know about him. He was not trying to trap me, but he was trying to step into my world.

“Good,” I said softly, “Three million is more than enough, thank you,”

He nodded and stood slowly from his seat. I followed after him.

Then, before I could blink, he walked closer until we were only inches apart.

The space between us had never been smaller. But it was still controlled.

I held his gaze, and this time, when I spoke, I let a bit of steel slip into my voice,

“Understand this, Damien,” I whispered, “I am not yours.”

The words landed heavy, just like I had intended them to.

Damien stared at me for a moment before bursting into laughter. “Good,” he replied, “I would be disappointed if you were after just one date. That usually happens after the third.”

A slow breath left my lungs, relief.

He stepped closer, but somehow I did not feel like he was invading my space.

“You are going to be trouble,” he whispered,

A faint smile touched my lips, “I already am.”

His gaze held mine for just a moment longer before he nodded,

“I’ll have the funds transferred tomorrow.”

I inclined my head slightly, “Thank you, Damien,” I said, “And this has been an amazing date. So, thank you for that too.”

“You are welcome, Nyssa,” he whispered as he stretched out his hand and held mine, “Always,”

A blush crept up my cheeks and I pushed it down. With a smile, I turned around and began to walk away.

Just before I reached the elevator, I turned slightly and he was still watching me.

He had on that same calm expression and that same knowing look, like he had already decided something about me, and was just waiting to see if I would prove him right.

A faint smile tugged at the corner of my lips, then I stepped into the elevator and let the doors close.