The drive back from the gathering was filled with a quiet intensity. Isabella could feel Damien’s gaze on her, and the warmth of his hand at the small of her back lingered long after he had moved it. She had proven herself tonight, standing by his side with strength and grace. But there was something unspoken between them, a tension that hinted at a shift in their relationship.
When they arrived at his penthouse, Damien guided her inside, his hand lingering as he led her to the living room. The city lights cast a warm glow over the room, and she felt her pulse quicken as he turned to face her, his expression serious, his eyes holding an intensity she hadn’t seen before.
“Isabella,” he began, his tone steady but filled with something deeper, “I have a proposition for you—one that requires
