She startled, turning to find me watching her. A blush immediately colored her cheeks — the first acknowledgment of last night. "Damien," she said, setting down the brush without having touched the canvas. "I didn't hear you." "Clearly." I entered the room, noting the organized chaos of her supplies, brushes meticulously arranged by size, paints grouped by color family, palette scraped clean in preparation. "You've been here a while." "Just... thinking," she admitted. "About painting? ...Or about last night?" Her blush deepened, but she met my eyes directly. "Both." I appreciated her honesty. It was refreshing after years of dealing with people who calculated every word for maximum advantage. "Regrets?" I asked, keeping my tone neutral. She considered the question, her head tilting slightly. "No" she said finally. "Do you?" "No." The simple exchange cleared some of the tension between us. Angel relaxed visibly, setting aside the brush she'd been clutching like a lifeline. "
ANGELINA ~ The gallery had become my sanctuary over the past few weeks - the one place where I could exist as simply Angel, not Damien Salvatore's fiancée. I loved, loved losing myself for hours arranging exhibits, researching artists, and occasionally sketching during quiet moments. Today, I was cataloging a new shipment of sculptures when Elena's excited voice broke my concentration. "Angel! You won't believe who just walked in," she said, practically bouncing with excitement. I looked up from my inventory list to see her barely contained enthusiasm. Despite learning of her betrayal the previous day, I'd forced myself to act normal around her, following Damien's advice to 'keep your enemies closer.' The words still tasted bitter in my mouth each time I smiled at her, but perhaps it was my fault for asking Damien to help her get a job here, after she'd claimed that she'd been fired. "Who?" I asked, feigning interest. "Richard Knight," she whispered dramatically.
"Oh my god!!" Elena squealed once he was out of earshot. "Richard Knight wants to see your work! Do you know how many artists would kill for that chance?" "It's probably just courtesy," I said, slipping the card into my pocket. "Don't be stupid" she chided, linking her arm through mine and leading me toward the staff room. "This is your chance to establish yourself independently. You know, so you're not just Damien Salvatore's arm candy." The barb stung more than it should have. "I'm not arm candy." Elena's expression softened into faux sympathy. "Of course not, honey. But let's be real - your engagement happened awfully fast after your divorce. People talk. Having your own career would shut them up." I disentangled myself from her arm, anger rising at her manipulative concern. "I don't really care what people say about my relationship." "You should," she persisted. "Especially since —" The gallery door chimed, cutting her off. We both turned to see George striding in, d
The possessive declaration should have triggered every feminist alarm in my body. Later, I'd examine why it had instead sent a thrill of something dangerously close to longing through me. For now, I stood silently beside Damien, aware of every patron and staff member watching the drama unfold.George's hands clenched at his sides. "You think you've won Salvatore. But I know Angel. She needs more than your money and your cold bed." His gaze shifted to me, suddenly gentle. "When you remember what real love feels like Angel, call me."With that parting shot, he stalked out, leaving uncomfortable silence in his wake.Damien's hand returned to my back, his touch steadying. " Are you alright?"I nodded, not trusting my voice yet. The confrontation had left me shaky, caught between anger at George's presumption and confusion over my reaction to Damien's territorial display.Elena approached, her expression a masterpiece of false concern"Oh my god, Angel! That was intense. Are you okay?""F
The tension between us was unbearable during the ride back to the estate. Damien's declaration, ' You're mine' — echoed in my mind, both thrilling and terrifying me. His hand remained possessively on mine, thumb occasionally brushing my palm in a way that sent shivers up my arm. Neither of us spoke, the silence filled with unresolved questions and unspoken desires. Marco kept his eyes carefully forward, though I caught him glancing at us in the rearview mirror once or twice. I wondered what he thought of this arrangement that had clearly evolved far beyond its original parameters. When we arrived, Damien escorted me inside with his hand on the small of my back, a touch I was becoming familiar with, even dependent on. The mansion felt emptier than usual, with Rosa having taken Izzy to a doctor's appointment in the city. "I'll be in my study," Damien said, his voice formal again as we reached the grand staircase. "Take some time to rest. Today was... eventful." I watched him retr
I had no answer that wouldn't reveal too much of myself. Instead, I did the only thing that made sense in that moment, I rose on tiptoe and pressed my mouth to his. Unlike our previous kisses, this one began gentle, almost questioning. His lips moved against mine with careful restraint, letting me set the pace. But when I parted my lips in invitation, something snapped in his control. His arms wrapped around me, hauling me against his chest as he deepened the kiss with a hunger that matched my own. I threaded my fingers through his hair, marveling at how soft it felt despite its controlled appearance. He walked me backward until I felt the edge of his desk pressing against my legs, his body caging mine against the solid wood. "Tell me to stop," he murmured against my lips, his voice rough with desire. "If this isn't what you want..." "Don't stop," I breathed. "Please." The plea broke his remaining restraint. He lifted me onto the desk in one fluid motion, stepping between my le
ANGELINA ~ "Just drop me off here please." I said to the taxi driver, fishing out the last of my cash from my purse. The meter read fifteen dollars and twenty two cents. I handed him a twenty. "Keep the change." The driver nodded, looking at me through the rearview mirror. "You sure you don't want me to pull into the driveway, miss? It's pouring out there." I glanced out the window at the large Victorian house that George and I had called home for the past three months. The lights were on in our bedroom, even though it was only four in the afternoon. Strange. George was supposed to be at work. "I'm sure. Thank you." As I stepped out of the taxi, the sky opened up and unleashed a torrential downpour. Within seconds, my cream blouse was soaked through, clinging to my skin. I hurried up the pathway, my painting supplies tucked underneath my arm in a desperate attempt to keep them dry. I had spent the day at the park, sketching, letting my mind wander. George had been distant la
I felt sick. "Our whole relationship... was a lie?" "Not at first. But once I got what I wanted, what was the point? You're not exactly stimulating company." He picked up the papers, thrusting them at me. "Sign." Tears blurred my vision. "No. I need a lawyer to look at these first." His laugh was cold. "Good luck finding one who'll take your case. Claire's made sure every decent attorney in the city knows not to touch this. You'll get nothing from me, Angel. Nothing." "I don't want your money! I just— " "Oh shut up with the innocent act! Everyone wants something." He grabbed my arm, pulling me towards the bed. "SIGN THE DAMN PAPERS!" I flinched slightly. "Let go George! You're hurting me!!" The bedroom door opened, and my stepmother Olivia stood there, her thin lips curved in a smile. Behind her was my stepbrother Victor, his eyes always gleaming with something that made my skin crawl. "Is everything alright?" Olivia asked sweetly. "We heard shouting." George released my ar
I had no answer that wouldn't reveal too much of myself. Instead, I did the only thing that made sense in that moment, I rose on tiptoe and pressed my mouth to his. Unlike our previous kisses, this one began gentle, almost questioning. His lips moved against mine with careful restraint, letting me set the pace. But when I parted my lips in invitation, something snapped in his control. His arms wrapped around me, hauling me against his chest as he deepened the kiss with a hunger that matched my own. I threaded my fingers through his hair, marveling at how soft it felt despite its controlled appearance. He walked me backward until I felt the edge of his desk pressing against my legs, his body caging mine against the solid wood. "Tell me to stop," he murmured against my lips, his voice rough with desire. "If this isn't what you want..." "Don't stop," I breathed. "Please." The plea broke his remaining restraint. He lifted me onto the desk in one fluid motion, stepping between my le
The tension between us was unbearable during the ride back to the estate. Damien's declaration, ' You're mine' — echoed in my mind, both thrilling and terrifying me. His hand remained possessively on mine, thumb occasionally brushing my palm in a way that sent shivers up my arm. Neither of us spoke, the silence filled with unresolved questions and unspoken desires. Marco kept his eyes carefully forward, though I caught him glancing at us in the rearview mirror once or twice. I wondered what he thought of this arrangement that had clearly evolved far beyond its original parameters. When we arrived, Damien escorted me inside with his hand on the small of my back, a touch I was becoming familiar with, even dependent on. The mansion felt emptier than usual, with Rosa having taken Izzy to a doctor's appointment in the city. "I'll be in my study," Damien said, his voice formal again as we reached the grand staircase. "Take some time to rest. Today was... eventful." I watched him retr
The possessive declaration should have triggered every feminist alarm in my body. Later, I'd examine why it had instead sent a thrill of something dangerously close to longing through me. For now, I stood silently beside Damien, aware of every patron and staff member watching the drama unfold.George's hands clenched at his sides. "You think you've won Salvatore. But I know Angel. She needs more than your money and your cold bed." His gaze shifted to me, suddenly gentle. "When you remember what real love feels like Angel, call me."With that parting shot, he stalked out, leaving uncomfortable silence in his wake.Damien's hand returned to my back, his touch steadying. " Are you alright?"I nodded, not trusting my voice yet. The confrontation had left me shaky, caught between anger at George's presumption and confusion over my reaction to Damien's territorial display.Elena approached, her expression a masterpiece of false concern"Oh my god, Angel! That was intense. Are you okay?""F
"Oh my god!!" Elena squealed once he was out of earshot. "Richard Knight wants to see your work! Do you know how many artists would kill for that chance?" "It's probably just courtesy," I said, slipping the card into my pocket. "Don't be stupid" she chided, linking her arm through mine and leading me toward the staff room. "This is your chance to establish yourself independently. You know, so you're not just Damien Salvatore's arm candy." The barb stung more than it should have. "I'm not arm candy." Elena's expression softened into faux sympathy. "Of course not, honey. But let's be real - your engagement happened awfully fast after your divorce. People talk. Having your own career would shut them up." I disentangled myself from her arm, anger rising at her manipulative concern. "I don't really care what people say about my relationship." "You should," she persisted. "Especially since —" The gallery door chimed, cutting her off. We both turned to see George striding in, d
ANGELINA ~ The gallery had become my sanctuary over the past few weeks - the one place where I could exist as simply Angel, not Damien Salvatore's fiancée. I loved, loved losing myself for hours arranging exhibits, researching artists, and occasionally sketching during quiet moments. Today, I was cataloging a new shipment of sculptures when Elena's excited voice broke my concentration. "Angel! You won't believe who just walked in," she said, practically bouncing with excitement. I looked up from my inventory list to see her barely contained enthusiasm. Despite learning of her betrayal the previous day, I'd forced myself to act normal around her, following Damien's advice to 'keep your enemies closer.' The words still tasted bitter in my mouth each time I smiled at her, but perhaps it was my fault for asking Damien to help her get a job here, after she'd claimed that she'd been fired. "Who?" I asked, feigning interest. "Richard Knight," she whispered dramatically.
She startled, turning to find me watching her. A blush immediately colored her cheeks — the first acknowledgment of last night. "Damien," she said, setting down the brush without having touched the canvas. "I didn't hear you." "Clearly." I entered the room, noting the organized chaos of her supplies, brushes meticulously arranged by size, paints grouped by color family, palette scraped clean in preparation. "You've been here a while." "Just... thinking," she admitted. "About painting? ...Or about last night?" Her blush deepened, but she met my eyes directly. "Both." I appreciated her honesty. It was refreshing after years of dealing with people who calculated every word for maximum advantage. "Regrets?" I asked, keeping my tone neutral. She considered the question, her head tilting slightly. "No" she said finally. "Do you?" "No." The simple exchange cleared some of the tension between us. Angel relaxed visibly, setting aside the brush she'd been clutching like a lifeline. "
That, at least, didn't surprise me. What did surprise me was the twist of satisfaction I felt knowing George had betrayed Angel even earlier than she realized. "Keep monitoring the situation," I instructed. "Especially any further contact between Sinclair and Luciano's people. And increase security around Angel, discreetly. If she asks, tell her it's standard procedure." "Of course." Marco hesitated, something unusual for him. "There's a personal matter I feel I should mention." I raised an eyebrow, waiting. "Ms Winters spent the night in your quarters," he said carefully. It wasn't a question, but I answered anyway. "Yes." "That... changes the parameters of your arrangement..?" Leave it to Marco to cut straight to the heart of the issue. "I'm aware." He studied me for a moment, his expression unreadable. "I've known you a long time, Damien. Long enough to recognize when you're...invested." "Your point?" I asked, my tone cooling. "Just that Ms. Winters isn't like your usua
I woke before dawn, my body immediately alert to the unfamiliar weight against my chest. Angel slept soundly, her breathing deep and even, one hand curled beneath her chin, the other resting over my heart. Her hair spilled across my pillow, a chaotic tangle of gold in the dim light filtering through the curtains.Last night had crossed a line I'd carefully drawn when proposing our arrangement. Physical intimacy without emotional entanglement — that had been my intention. Yet I'd stopped before taking what she'd clearly been willing to give, because something about Angel Winters made me want to be... better. More careful. More considerate than I had any right or reason to be.Fuck.I eased away from her, careful not to wake her as I slipped from the bed. She stirred, making a small sound of protest before burrowing deeper into the warmth I'd left behind. I stood watching her for a moment, struck by how young she looked in sleep, how vulnerable.The power had come back sometime duri
"May I touch you here?" he asked, fingers dipping just beneath the elastic. "Yes," I breathed. "Please yes." His hand slipped inside both shorts and underwear, finding me already embarrassingly wet. He groaned against my breast when his fingers encountered the evidence of my arousal. "So wet for me," he murmured, circling my entrance teasingly before moving up to find the bundle of nerves that made me cry out when he touched it. "Oh god..." I whimpered as he began stroking in slow, deliberate circles. "No," he corrected, his voice a dark — almost teasing caress. "Just me." He continued his merciless attention to my body — mouth on my breasts, fingers between my legs, building a pressure that threatened to consume me. Just when I thought I couldn't take anymore, he withdrew his hand, making me whimper at the loss. "Patience," he said, pressing a kiss to my sternum. "I want to taste you." The words sent a flood of new arousal through me. I'd never experienced that before, Georg