Page 105 of The Contract

My breath catches.

My mind betrays me instantly, flashing back to last night’s rainstorm. The almost kiss. The tension so thick between us it could have swallowed me whole.

And then, later—alone in the shower, the fantasy unfurling behind my closed eyes.

The way I imagined him finding me, watching me, stepping inside, pushing my hand away to take over.

His hands, his mouth, his beautiful fucking cock?—

I wouldn’t have been able to tell him no again.

If he had come to me one more time, I would have shattered my own rules.

And I can’t afford to do that.

Because we only have a few more days left.

One last outing—Mr. Calloway’s birthday dinner. Then the merger is complete, the deal signed.

Then, Damien and I will go our separate ways.

The thought burns more than I want to admit.

So I do the only thing I can.

I end the conversation.

ELENA: Then it’s a date.

A pause.

DAMIEN: I hope you have a good day, Elena.

It’s my name at the end of the sentence that pulls the knot in my stomach tighter. That makes it feel more intimate than it should.

I shouldn’t reply.

I do anyway.

ELENA: You too, Wolfie.

The dots appear immediately.

DAMIEN: I don’t think so.

ELENA: Too late.

DAMIEN: No.

ELENA: That’s your name now.

DAMIEN: Never.

ELENA: For all time.

ELENA: See you at five, Wolfe.

DAMIEN: See you… Trouble.

---