THE BILLIONAIRE'S FORBIDDEN OBSESSION

CHAPTER FIVE -THE RULES CHANGE

I barely slept after the gala.

Every time I closed my eyes, I remembered Damien's arms around me.

The way his hand rested on my waist.

The way he looked at me when he thought I wasn't paying attention.

And, most of all, his words.

"You're making this very difficult."

I didn't know what he meant.

I wasn't going to ask.

By morning, I had convinced myself that the entire night meant nothing.

It was just part of the arrangement.

Damien was a billionaire. Men like him didn't fall for women like me.

I was simply the woman he had hired to play a role.

That was all.

I walked downstairs and found him sitting at the dining table.

He was already dressed for work.

"You slept well?" he asked.

"Yes."

It was a lie.

He looked at me for a moment.

"You look tired."

"I said I'm fine."

He didn't argue.

Instead, he pushed a small box toward me.

"What's this?"

"Open it."

I frowned but lifted the lid.

Inside was a beautiful diamond bracelet.

I immediately closed the box.

"No."

His eyebrows rose.

"No?"

"I can't accept this."

"It's yours."

"Damien, the contract already pays me enough. You don't need to buy me expensive gifts."

His expression hardened.

"It's not a gift."

"Then what is it?"

"Something I wanted you to have."

I shook my head.

"I can't."

For several seconds, he simply stared at me.

Then he took the box and stood.

"Fine."

He walked away.

I expected him to be angry.

Instead, he looked almost disappointed.

And somehow, that made me feel guilty.

Later that afternoon, Victoria called me.

"There has been a change."

I sat up.

"What kind of change?"

"Mr. Cross wants to modify one of the rules."

"Which one?"

"The relationship will no longer be limited to public appearances."

My stomach tightened.

"What does that mean?"

"He wants you to move into his bedroom."

I nearly dropped my phone.

"What?"

"He believes it will make the relationship appear more genuine."

"That's ridiculous."

"I agree."

"Then tell him no."

"I did."

"And?"

"He didn't change his mind."

I stood from the couch.

"I'll talk to him."

I found Damien in his office.

He was sitting behind his desk, reading a report.

"You're changing the contract."

He looked up.

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because people are starting to question our relationship."

"That's not true."

"It is."

He stood and walked toward me.

"Someone photographed you dancing with me last night."

"So?"

"They're already speculating that we're not serious."

I folded my arms.

"And sleeping in the same room will convince them?"

"It might."

I stared at him.

"Or you could simply stop caring what people think."

His eyes narrowed.

"You don't understand my world."

"Then explain it."

Silence.

For a moment, something vulnerable appeared in his eyes.

Then it disappeared.

"You'll have your own room."

I exhaled.

"Good."

"But my room is connected to yours."

I blinked.

"Connected?"

"There's a private door."

"Damien..."

"You don't have to use it."

I studied him.

"Then why have it?"

He didn't answer.

He simply walked past me.

"Good night, Amara."

I turned to watch him leave.

I had a strange feeling that I had just agreed to something I would eventually regret.

Because Damien Cross wasn't simply changing the rules.

He was slowly removing every boundary between us.