03

Emma stared at the package on her desk, her fingers trembling as she traced the embossed letters of her name on the wrapping. The box was pristine, tied with a silk ribbon that felt luxurious against her skin. She hesitated for a moment, her mind racing back to Nathan’s piercing gray eyes, the way they seemed to see straight through her. Her heart thudded in her chest as she untied the ribbon and lifted the lid.

Inside was a book. A rare first edition of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, its leather-bound cover delicate yet immaculate. She gasped, her fingers brushing over the gilt lettering. Nestled beside it was a small, cream-colored card. She picked it up, her breath catching as she read the elegant script: “For a literature enthusiast. —N.B.”

Her face flushed. Nathan Blackwood. She hadn’t expected this. Not after their last encounter, the heat of his kiss still lingering in her memory like a ghost. She set the book down carefully, her hands shaking. What did this mean? Was it a gesture of kindness? Or something more?

Her phone buzzed, jolting her from her thoughts. She glanced at the screen and froze. It was a text from an unknown number, but she didn’t need to check to know who it was. “Dinner. 8 PM. Le Jardin. My treat.” Her stomach flipped. Le Jardin was one of the most exclusive restaurants in Manhattan, a place she’d only read about in magazines. She hesitated, her fingers hovering over the screen. Should she go? Could she resist?

No, she thought, her cheeks burning. She couldn’t deny the pull she felt toward him, the magnetic tension that seemed to hum between them. She typed a quick reply: “I’ll be there.”

Hours later, Emma stood outside Le Jardin, her heels clicking against the polished marble steps. Her polished blazer hugged her figure, the brown silk blouse beneath it catching the light. She took a deep breath, smoothing her hair, and stepped inside. The restaurant was as opulent as she’d imagined, with crystal chandeliers and soft, golden lighting. She scanned the room, her heart skipping a beat when she saw him.

Nathan sat at a corner table, his tailored suit fitting him like a second skin. His gray eyes locked onto hers as she approached, and she felt that familiar heat rise in her chest. Control yourself, she scolded silently, but it was easier said than done. He stood as she reached the table, his presence commanding yet effortless.

“Emma,” he said, his voice low and smooth. “You look stunning.”

She flushed, her pulse quickening. “Thank you,” she murmured, taking the seat he held out for her. The air between them crackled with unspoken tension, and she struggled to steady her breathing.

The waiter approached, and Nathan ordered for them both, his confidence unshakable. Emma glanced around, trying to distract herself, but it was impossible with him sitting so close, his gaze never leaving her. She felt exposed, vulnerable, yet oddly safe in his presence. It was a paradoxical feeling, one she couldn’t quite untangle.

The meal passed in a blur of exquisite flavors and subtle conversation. Nathan was charming, his words laced with ambiguity that kept her on edge. He spoke of art, literature, and philosophy, his intellect as captivating as his looks. But beneath the surface, there was something else—a flicker of something darker, something she couldn’t quite name.

As dessert arrived—a decadent chocolate mousse—Nathan leaned forward, his elbows resting on the table. His gray eyes bore into hers, and she felt a shiver run down her spine. “Emma,” he said, his voice dropping to a husky whisper. “I have a proposition for you.”

Her breath hitched. “A proposition?”

He nodded, a sly smile playing on his lips. “Yes. I want you to become my… companion. My partner in more ways than one.” He paused, letting the words hang in the air. “Think of it as an exchange. I give you access to a world you’ve only dreamed of, and in return, you give me… control.”

Emma’s heart raced, her mind struggling to process his words. Control? What did he mean? She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. She felt as if she were on the edge of a precipice, teetering between curiosity and fear.

Nathan reached across the table, his fingers brushing against hers. “You don’t have to answer now,” he said softly. “Think about it. But know this, Emma: I don’t make offers lightly. And I don’t take no for an answer.”

She pulled her hand back, her cheeks burning. “I-I’ll think about it,” she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Nathan leaned back, his smug smile widening. “Good. I’ll be waiting.”

The rest of the evening passed in a haze, Emma’s mind racing with questions. When Nathan finally escorted her to a cab, his hand lingered on the small of her back, sending a jolt of electricity through her. “Goodnight, Emma,” he said, his voice a low rumble. “Sweet dreams.”

As the cab pulled away, Emma leaned back against the seat, her thoughts a whirlwind. She couldn’t shake the feeling that she was being drawn into something far bigger than herself, something she couldn’t fully comprehend. Her phone buzzed in her bag, and she pulled it out, her eyes widening as she saw a text from James: “I hope you had a good evening. Let me know if you need anything.”

Her heart pounded. James. She’d almost forgotten about him, about the heat of their kiss, the way he’d made her feel. She glanced out the window, the city lights blurring as they sped past. What was she getting herself into?

When she finally reached her apartment, she couldn’t resist. She opened her laptop and typed in Nathan Blackwood’s name. The search results flooded the screen, and her eyes widened as she began to read. Articles about his troubled past, his reputation as a seducer, his ruthless business tactics. She felt a knot form in her stomach, a mix of fear and fascination.

“Who are you, Nathan Blackwood?” she whispered, her fingers trembling as they hovered over the keyboard. The more she read, the more she realized she was stepping into a world far more dangerous—and enticing—than she’d ever imagined.

Emma stared at her laptop screen, the glow casting shadows on her face as she scrolled through article after article about Nathan Blackwood. His name seemed to dominate every headline, each one more sensational than the last. Ruthless Businessman. Seducer of Women. The Man Who Always Gets What He Wants. Her stomach churned, but she couldn’t look away.

She leaned back in her chair, the leather creaking beneath her. Her mind raced with questions. Why me? What does he see in me? She thought about the dinner at Le Jardin, the way he’d looked at her like she was the only person in the room. The way he’d proposed she become his companion. Companion. The word lingered in her mind, heavy with unspoken meaning.

Her phone buzzed again, breaking her trance. She glanced at the screen, expecting another text from James, but it was Nathan. “I trust you’ve had time to consider my offer. I’ll be at the Blackwood Gallery tomorrow evening. Join me if you’re curious.” Her heart skipped a beat. The Blackwood Gallery? She’d heard of it—exclusive, elite, a place where only the most influential people in the city gathered.

Emma hesitated, her fingers hovering over the keyboard. She opened a new tab and typed in Blackwood Gallery, her eyes scanning the results. The gallery was hosting a private exhibition of rare art and artifacts, something Nathan had apparently curated himself. Of course he did, she thought, a small smile tugging at her lips. The man seemed to have a hand in everything.

She glanced at her reflection in the darkened screen of her laptop. Her brown hair was slightly tousled from running her hands through it, but her eyes sparkled with a mixture of nerves and excitement. This is it, she thought. Your chance to step into his world.