Page 47 of The Contract

His jaw tightens. So faint I might have missed it if I weren’tlooking.

A second passes before he answers. “Things went well.” His tone is clipped. Final.

That should be the end of it.

But I hesitate, and henotices.

His attention sharpens, waiting, sensing there’s something else I want to say.

“It’s just…” I pause. “You made a face. After the engagement story.”

The words settle between us, quiet but not unnoticed.

Damien doesn’t answer right away, and when he does, his voice is unreadable. “You’re a very good liar.”

A statement, not a compliment.

His eyes stay on mine, searching, as if trying to find something beneath the surface. But I hold his gaze, steady, unwilling to give him anything more than what I already have.

After a long moment, I reply, “Everything about these next two weeks will be a lie.”

The space between usshifts.

Charged with something neither of us is willing to acknowledge.

“It’s important you remember that.”

For a moment, he doesn’t move, his exhale slow and controlled, as if resetting.

“Noted.”

He sets his jacket on the kitchen counter. “Any—adjustments—for me?”

I take in a breath, releasing it carefully.

“Well…”

My eyes lower, weighing how to phrase this. With any other contract, it would beclinical. But not with Damien.

“It’s fine, Elena. I can take criticism.” His tone is calmer now. More patient.

“You should be more affectionate with me when we’re out in public.”

I try to keep my tone neutral, but Ifeelmy cheeks heat because we both know what his affections look like.

What theyfeellike.

He looks out at the city, swallowing hard before turning back to me.

“I touched you plenty tonight.”

“Not like a fiancé would.”

He takes a deep breath, releasing it hard and slow. “Anythingspecific?”

The tension in the roomshifts.

I step toward the living room, glancing back just enough to let him know I expect him to follow.

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