CHAPTER EIGHT: AFTER HOURS

Aria’s pov

I sit in my office, watching the seconds drag.

After the morning disaster with Luca, the grease-stained merger, and Noah—

Especially Noah —

I just want this day over.

The board meeting nearly killed me. Damian’s eyes were on me the whole time, like he knew clause four had almost been ruined.

I’m so tired my bones ache.

I stare at the clock, as soon as it hits 4 PM.

I’m up instantly.

Bag. Phone. Keys. I shove the clean merger file into my drawer and lock it.

A soft knock at the door.

“Come in,” I call, expecting Sarah from accounting.

The door opens.

Damian fills the frame.

Suited. Silent. Too big for my office and my nerves.

“What do you need, Sir?” My voice is sugar-coated glass. Fake nice. Because I’m too tired to fight today.

He doesn’t answer right away. His eyes do a slow sweep of my desk, the packed bag. Cataloging.

He clears his throat.

“I was heading out,” He says. “Saw your light on. Thought I’d check if you needed a ride.”

I blink.

After the way he left this morning, I wasn’t expecting him to talk to me let alone offer me a ride.

“Oh.” I fumble with my phone, shoving it into my handbag. “That will be nice, thank you, I’m all done for the day just packing up.”

He nods once. Sharp. Final.

“Driver’s waiting lets go.”

He says as he steps aside, but only just. I have to brush past him to leave. His expensive scent clings to me all the way to the elevator.

We don’t speak. I start to wonder if I should have just said no to his offer.

The parking garage is quiet. His car idles, black and tinted like a warning. The driver opens the back door.

“Good evening, sir,” the man says.

Damian gives him a nod. Slides in.

I hesitate for half a second. Then I follow. Because saying no to Damian Kane isn’t something people do.

The door shuts. The locks click.

The driver pulls out.

I look out the window and count street lights.

Then his hand lands on my thigh.

I flinch so hard my bag slides of my lap. His palm settles just above my knee like he needed somewhere to rest it.

I look over. He’s still staring out his window, profile cut from stone. Like his hand didn’t just decide my leg was its new property.

I cough.

He turns. Slow. One brow lifts. That what now look he uses when I’ve wasted thirty seconds of his time.

I point down at his hand On me.

“Your hand, sir,” I manage.

He glances down. At his hand. At my thigh. Then back to my face.

Says nothing.

My cheeks burn. I’m the idiot here. Obviously.

I force myself to look away. Fix my eyes on the window again and pretend my skin isn’t buzzing. If he’s not going to acknowledge it, neither am I.

Silence stretches.

“You did well with the merger today.”

My head snaps to him.

He’s still looking out the window. Voice flat. Like he’s commenting on the weather.

“Th—thank you, sir.” The words trip over themselves. Damian Kane doesn’t do compliments.

He turns then. Eyes finally meet mine.

“But I expect better next time.”

Of course.

I nod because my throat’s too tight for words.

He’s already looking away again. “I have the Australian call at 2 AM. You’ll take notes.”

2 AM.

I just got off a Nine-hour work day. Now this.

“Yes, sir,” I hear myself say.

How the hell am I supposed to function tomorrow if I’m up all night taking notes for him?

I’m screwed.

We pull up to the building.

The realization hits right as the driver opens the door.

We ride up in silence. His hand is gone from my leg now. I shouldn’t miss the weight. But I do. God, I do.

The elevator dings. Doors slide open to quiet. Expensive. Empty.

Or not empty.

Luca and Elias are sprawled on the couch. Bottles on the table. Collars open. They look up when we walk in.

Luca grins. Elias lifts his glass to Damian.

I stop just inside the door.

“Ari.” Luca’s voice cuts through the quiet.

Both Damian and I turn.

Luca’s eyes flick between us, amused. “Get over here. We need a woman’s opinion.”

I don’t move. I look at Damian.

Silently seeking permission.

He holds my gaze for one second.

“Go.”

One word. Flat.

Then louder he says louder to Luca“Be done by ten. I need her in my room.”

My blood goes cold.

That sounded sexual.

Not “we have a meeting.” I need her.

He doesn’t look at me again. Just walks out, down the hall. A door shuts.

Luca whistles, low. “Well damn. Ten o’clock deadline.” He pats the couch next to him. “Sit. This’ll be quick.”

I walk over on legs that don’t feel like mine. Perch on the edge of the cushion. As far from him as I can.

“What do you need?” My voice shakes.

Elias smirks into his drink. Luca leans forward, elbows on his knees. Studies me like I’m a problem he’s solving.

“Hypothetical,” he says. Too casual. “If a guy wants to treat a woman right… where does he start?”

My face flames.

“Umm…” I glance down the hall. The door’s still shut. “You could… start by taking her on a date?” It’s the safest answer I have.

Luca chuckles. Low. Knowing. “A date, hm… Not what I had in mind when I asked.”

Elias hides a smirk behind his glass.

My stomach twists. I should shut up.

Instead, I hear myself say, quietly “Well… what did you have in mind?”

Stupid. Stupid.

Luca leans in. Not touching me. He doesn’t have to. His voice does it for him.

“I was thinking something less… public.” He holds my eyes. “More private. More memorable.”

I shiver. And hate that I do.

“Maybe you should just ask the girl in question,” I say. My voice is steadier than I feel. “Instead of me.”

Luca’s grin sharpens. “Can’t. I’m planning on surprising her.”

The word surprising hits wrong.

Or right.

Because suddenly I’m not sure if we’re talking about his mystery girl. Or me.

I stand up too fast. The leather couch makes a sound like it’s letting go.

“Well.” I smooth my skirt with hands that won’t stop shaking. “There’s a meeting tonight. I should go to my room and freshen up.”

I turn before he can answer.

Luca’s voice follows me, lazy and loud enough for Elias to hear. “Don’t let Damian keep you too late tonight, Aria. He forgets other people need sleep.”

My steps stutter.

I don’t look back. I ignore he’s teasing. I make it to my room and click the door shut behind me. I check the time. Shit I need to prep.