Page 41 of The Contract

“That’s what made me smile.”

His expression shifts slightly, something flickering behind those blue eyes, something unreadable.

“You don’t plan on staying at The Ledger?” he asks, his voice measured. “Lucian says you’re one of the best.”

I let out a soft breath, shaking my head. “Women in my line of work have a shelf life.”

The words hang between us, stretching out the silence.

After a moment, quieter now, I add, “I don’t want to be a hired companion forever, Damien.”

His gaze lingers on mine, and for a brief moment, I see it again—the man beneath the billionaire, the one who’s beensitting with me, eating breakfast like it was something he wasn’t used to sharing.

Like maybe, in some ways, he’s just as unfamiliar with real companionship as I am. When it’s not bought.

He exhales slowly, almost like he’s considering my words, turning them over in his mind.

But then, the shift happens. Seamless and almost imperceptible, but it’s there.

“Dinner tonight.” His voice is back to business, clipped and professional. “I’ll pick you up at eight. Mr. and Mrs. Calloway will be there.”

I nod, the mask slipping back into place as easily as breathing. “Mrs. Calloway is the key.”

His gaze flicks to mine. “Exactly. Mrs. Calloway is the key.”

I don’t need him to elaborate. If he’s bringing her up specifically, it means she’s the one with the final say in this merger. She’ll be scrutinizing every detail, looking for any cracks in our relationship. If I can win her over, this entire deal becomes a sure thing.

I offer him a confident smile, smoothing my hands over my lap. “Leave Mrs. Calloway to me.”

A beat of silence stretches between us before Damien raps his knuckles against the counter twice and stands.

“All right then.” He pulls up a contact in his phone, heading toward the elevator. “Hey, Marcus, can you pull something up for me?”

No goodbye. No pleasantries. No lingering hesitation.

And why would there be?

This is a contract.

I don’t need small talk. I don’t need warmth.

I don’t needanythingfrom him.

But as he walks away without another word, I find myself wishing he’d said something else.

Offers are being made as I get into the backseat of my SUV.

By the time I make it to the office, they’re done and signed.

My assistant, Vanessa, is up my ass as soon as I step foot in the lobby.

Contracts to review.

Schedules to confirm.

Pushing off a day and a half of meetings is catching up to me. But fine.

The day rushes by in a blur, and I’m thankful for the distraction. Though, as the afternoon wears on, I can’t stop looking at the time every ten fucking minutes.

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