Chapter 117
Aria pov
“Go talk to her,” I said firmly. “Before someone else does p>
“You’re right.” He straightened his tie, suddenly looking less like a confident CEO and more like a nervous man about to approach a woman he actually liked. “Wish me luck p>
“You don’t need it,” I assured him. “Just be yourself. The real you, not the corporate shark version p>
“Noted.” He nodded to Damien, his tone lighter now, teasing rather than challenging. “Blackwood. Try not to spontaneously combust from jealousy. Your lady was never in any danger—I’m very much spoken for. Well, trying to be, anyway p>
He walked away then, heading directly toward where Olivia stood near the bar. I watched as he approached her, saw the way she lit up when she noticed him, the way her cheeks flushed pink even from this distance. Lucas said something that made her laugh, a genuine, delighted sound that carried across the room. His entire body language had changed—open, warm, attentive in a way he hadn’t been with us.
“That manipulative” Damien started.
“Was obviously trying to make you jealous while building courage to talk to the woman he actually likes,” I interrupted, unable to keep the amusement from my voice. “Did you really think Lucas Hayes was interested in me p>
“He was touching you. Standing too close. Asking you to dinner p>
“While actually interested in Olivia the entire time,” I pointed out. “He couldn’t stop looking at her, Damien. Every time he mentioned her name, his whole demeanor changed. He was playing you p>
“I don’t care what his real intentions were.” Damien’s hand was still possessive on my back. “He had his hands on you p>
“And now he has his eyes on my best friend, which is exactly what I wanted.” I turned to face him fully. “I’ve been trying to push them together. Lucas is perfect for Olivia—kind, successful, genuine when he’s not in CEO mode and he clearly adores her p>
“You’re matchmaking again p>
“I’m creating opportunities.” I watched Lucas and Olivia across the room. He’d made her laugh again, and she was touching his arm, leaning in close. “And unlike some people, Lucas actually knows how to show genuine interest in someone without past baggage and betrayal getting in the way p>
The words came out sharper than I’d intended as Damien flinched.
“You’re right,” he said quietly. “He doesn’t have our history. Doesn’t have the weight of hurting her, losing her, spending years drowning in regret.” His hand tightened on my waist. “But Aria, I’m not going to apologize for being jealous. Not when I spent years taking you for granted and now have to watch other men see what I was too blind to see p>
“Lucas wasn’t”
“I know.” His eyes held mine. “But I still hated every second of it. Hated him standing close to you. Hated that you smiled at him. Hated that for a moment, I thought maybe you’d prefer someone like him—uncomplicated, charming, without all my damage p>
“Damien” I started, but he caught my wrist.
“Dance with me,” he said.
“What p>
“Dance with me.” He nodded toward the dance floor where couples swayed to classical music. The orchestra was playing something slow, strings humming through the ballroom. “Before we make the merger announcement. Just… one dance p>
“Damien”
“Please.” His eyes were serious now, the jealousy replaced by something deeper. “Let me have this. One dance where you’re not my business partner or Noah’s mother or the woman I wronged. Where you’re just… Aria. And I’m just a man who wants to hold you p>
My resistance crumbled. “One dance p>
He led me onto the dance floor, his hand finding my waist as mine rested on his shoulder. The fabric of his tuxedo was smooth under my palm. We moved together easily, muscle memory from years ago kicking in, his body guided mine with practiced ease.
“I remember this,” I said softly. “We danced at our wedding p>
“I remember everything about that day.” His voice was low, intimate. “You wore white silk, simple and elegant. Your hands shook when you said your vows. I thought” He paused. “I thought you were nervous about being trapped with me p>
“I was nervous about disappointing you.” I met his eyes. “About not being what you wanted p>
“You were everything I wanted.” His hand tightened on my waist, pulling me closer. “I was just too damaged to see it p>
“Past tense?” I asked quietly.
“You’re still everything I want.” He pulled me closer, until no space remained between us. His body was solid, warm, his chest pressing against mine. “More so now than then because now I understand what I’m asking for. What I’d be lucky enough to have p>
“Damien” My breath caught as his thumb traced circles on my lower back, the touch burning through the silk gown as heat pooled low in my belly.
“I know.” His forehead almost touched mine. His breath fanned across my lips, warm and smelling faintly of whiskey. “I know we’re taking things slow, I know you need time. But Aria, dancing with you in this dress, feeling you against me, I can’t” His voice roughened. “I can’t pretend I don’t want you so badly it hurts p>
Heat flooded through me as my pulse hammered in my throat. “This isn’t the time p>
“I know.” But he didn’t pull away, his hand slid higher on my back, his fingers splaying across my bare skin where the dress dipped low. “Tell me you don’t feel it too p>
I couldn’t lie. Not when my heart was racing, when every point of contact between us felt electric, when old desire mixed with new feeling in a way that made thinking impossible.
“I feel it,” I admitted. “But feeling and acting are different things p>
“I know.” He spun me gently, then pulled me back against him, harder this time. “I can wait, I will wait. But Aria, when you’re ready—when you finally trust me enough—I’m going to make love to you in that dress before I tear it off you p>
My pulse skyrocketed. Heat rushed to my face, down my neck. “You can’t just say things like that in public p>
“Why not?” His lips quirked. “No one can hear us and you need to know that while I’m being patient, while I’m proving myself, I’m also counting every second until you’re mine again. Fully mine p>
“I was never yours.” But my voice was weak.
“Liar.” He dipped me slightly, his body supporting mine with easy strength. His arm was solid under me, holding me suspended. “You’ve been mine since the day you walked into my office years ago. Just like I’ve been yours, we just didn’t know it yet p>
When he pulled me back up, we were even closer than before. I could feel his heartbeat, rapid against my chest. See the heat in his eyes, the blue almost black with desire. Smell his cologne mixed with something uniquely him.
“Damien,” I breathed.
“Yes?” His gaze dropped to my lips, lingered there.
“If you kiss me right now, in front of all these people”
“Then everyone will know exactly how I feel about you.” His hand slid up my spine, leaving fire in its wake. “Would that be so terrible p>
“It would be unprofessional p>
“I don’t care.” His lips were inches from mine. “I don’t care about professional. I care about you knowing that you’re the most beautiful woman in this room, that you’re brilliant and strong and mine, and that I p>
“Mr. Blackwood! Ms. Monroe!” A voice interrupted. “It’s time for your announcement p>
We broke apart reluctantly. The moment shattered, but the heat remained, simmering between us as we made our way to the stage.
The stage lights were bright, hot against my skin. I stood beside Damien at the podium, aware of hundreds of eyes on us. The ballroom had quieted, conversations dying down as people turned to listen.
Damien’s hand found mine behind the podium, hidden from view. His palm was warm, slightly damp. He was nervous as the realization surprised me.
“Good evening, everyone,” Damien’s voice carried through the microphone, strong and confident despite the hand gripping mine. “Thank you for joining us tonight for this important cause. Before we continue with the evening’s festivities, Ms. Monroe and I have an announcement regarding our companies p>
He looked at me, and I took my cue.
“As many of you know,” I said, my voice steady, “both Monroe Global and Blackwood Enterprises have been experiencing significant growth in recent years. Tonight, we’re pleased to announce a strategic merger that will create one of the most powerful conglomerates in the industry p>
Murmurs rippled through the crowd. I saw Lucas watching from near the bar, Olivia beside him their expression was unreadable.
Damien continued, “This merger represents a equal partnership between two innovative companies. Monroe Global brings cutting-edge technology and international investment portfolios, while Blackwood Enterprises contributes extensive domestic infrastructure and manufacturing capabilities p>
“Together,” I added, “we’re creating something neither company could achieve alone. A true partnership built on mutual respect and shared vision p>
The way I emphasized “equal partnership” wasn’t lost on the business minds in the room. Several nodded approvingly.
“The merger will be effective immediately,” Damien said. “We’ll operate under dual CEO leadership, with equal board representation and shared decision-making authority. This is about building something stronger, not absorption or acquisition p>
More murmurs, louder now. This was unusual—most mergers had a clear dominant party.
“We’re excited about this new Chapter,” I finished, “and look forward to the innovations and opportunities it will bring. Thank you p>