Lady of Gaga

She's Just a Mask

Chapter 1 – The Seductress

The first rule of seduction: Never let them see the real you.

Selene Vale had mastered that rule long ago. She was whoever a man needed her to be—soft and submissive, bold and untamed, the perfect mystery he couldn't resist solving. It wasn't just a game. It was an art form.

Tonight, she played the role of the unattainable woman.

Seated at the marble bar of Luna Noire, a glass of deep red wine in hand, she let the dim golden light kiss her skin. Her black dress clung to her curves in a way that wasn't desperate—just enough to suggest, to invite. She knew how to hold a man's gaze just a second too long before looking away, how to let her lips part as if she was on the verge of saying something wicked.

Men were predictable. Their egos fragile. And Selene? She was their undoing.

She felt his eyes before she saw him. Perfect.

Across the bar, Richard Calloway was watching her. He was exactly the type she had chosen for tonight—older, rich, wearing a suit that screamed importance. His watch was worth more than most people's rent, and his wedding ring? Absent. Probably tucked into his pocket, as if that erased the vows he had made to someone else.

Selene didn't judge. She didn't care. She only wanted the thrill of making him believe he was the one chasing her.

She let him approach, feigning surprise when he leaned in close, his cologne thick in the air. "I couldn't help but notice you."

Of course, you couldn't.

She smiled, sipping her wine, letting silence stretch between them just long enough to make him uneasy. Then, finally: "Is that so?"

Richard took it as permission to continue. They always did. He launched into a well-rehearsed introduction—something about investments, real estate, power moves. He wanted to impress her. Men like him always assumed women like her wanted to be impressed.

Selene played along, letting her fingers trace the stem of her glass, tilting her head just slightly. "That sounds… dangerous," she murmured.

Richard chuckled, leaning closer, emboldened. "Oh, I assure you, I thrive on risk."

Liar.

But it didn't matter. He was already falling into her web, mistaking her amusement for intrigue. It would take only a little more—perhaps a soft touch to his wrist, a quiet breath of laughter in his ear—and he would believe he had won her.

And that was when she would leave.

Because that was the part she truly loved. The moment when desire turned into obsession, when they realized they wanted more than she would ever give. She didn't want their love, their money, or their empty promises. She only wanted control.

Selene Vale was a seductress, yes. But more than that—she was untouchable.

And no man could change that.

Chapter 2 – The Game Begins

Men were simple creatures. Predictable. Always hunting, always taking.

Selene Vale had seen it in every touch, every lingering glance, every lie whispered in the dark. Men wanted. They always wanted. And she? She gave them the illusion of fulfillment, let them believe they had claimed something rare, something special. Then she left them aching, desperate, and alone.

That was the game. And she never lost.

Tonight was no different.

She lounged in a private booth at Luna Noire, her fingers tracing the rim of a crystal glass, half-listening as Richard Calloway tried to impress her. His voice was deep, confident, dripping with the arrogance of a man who thought wealth made him irresistible.

"I could take you anywhere you want, you know," he murmured, leaning in, his expensive cologne thick in the air. "Paris. Rome. Name it."

Selene smiled—just enough to keep him interested, never enough to be real. As if travel could make you interesting.

She crossed her legs slowly, letting his eyes follow the movement. "That's quite an offer."

He smirked, mistaking her amusement for intrigue. "I don't make offers. I make things happen."

Ah. There it is. That delicious male ego. The belief that he was the exception, the one who could break past her walls.

She had played this game too many times to count. She knew exactly how it would go: he would lean in, fingertips brushing her thigh. He would tell her he wasn't like other men, that with him, things would be different. He would think he was seducing her.

And she would let him think it.

Because, in the end, it didn't matter. He was just another sex hunter, chasing what he couldn't keep.

But then—something unexpected.

A deep voice, smooth as aged whiskey, cut through the noise. "I wouldn't, if I were you."

Selene turned, her gaze locking onto the man in the shadows.

Damien Wolfe.

He sat a few feet away, one arm draped over the back of his seat, dark eyes unreadable. He wasn't watching Richard. He was watching her. And in that moment, Selene knew—he sees me.

Richard stiffened beside her. "Excuse me?"

Damien's lips curved into something almost like a smirk. "I said you should walk away." His gaze flicked to Selene, lingering just long enough to make her feel… unsettled. "She's not what you think."

Selene exhaled slowly, controlling her reaction. She wasn't used to being interrupted. Wasn't used to men playing a game she didn't set the rules for.

Richard scoffed, clearly irritated. He slammed a few bills onto the table, muttering something about wasted time before storming off.

Selene turned to Damien, masking her curiosity with indifference. "That was unnecessary."

He tilted his head, studying her. "Was it?"

She didn't like the way he was looking at her—like he saw something beneath the mask she had perfected.

Selene had played with countless men, twisted them around her fingers like silk threads. But something about Damien Wolfe told her this time… the game might be different

And she wasn't sure if she liked that.

Chapter 3 – The Wedding She Hates

Weddings were a farce. A beautifully decorated lie wrapped in white lace and empty promises.

Selene Vale had never believed in them. The vows, the tears, the staged first dance—it was all a performance, one designed to make people believe in something fragile. Love. Commitment. Forever.

She knew better.

And yet, here she was, standing at the edge of the grand ballroom, watching as her best friend Clara twirled in the arms of her new husband, glowing with the kind of happiness Selene could never understand.

The chandeliers above cast a golden glow over the scene, the scent of roses thick in the air. Guests laughed, clinking champagne glasses, toasting to a love they hoped would last.

Selene sipped her drink, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. She had only come because Clara had insisted, pleading with her in a way only lifelong friends could.

"Please, Selene. Just this once. For me."

So here she was, in a silk dress that hugged her frame, playing the part of the supportive friend. But inside, she was suffocating.

"Not a fan of weddings?"

Selene stiffened. That voice.

She turned slowly, already knowing who she would find.

Damien Wolfe.

He stood beside her, holding a glass of whiskey, his sharp gaze locked onto her. He looked out of place in a setting like this—too dark, too dangerous, as if he had stepped into the wrong story entirely.

Selene forced a smirk, masking her unease. "Crashing weddings now, are we?"

Damien took a slow sip of his drink, his lips curving slightly. "I was invited."

She narrowed her eyes. Of course he was.

The universe had a cruel sense of humor, putting him here of all places. She had walked away from him at Luna Noire, dismissed him as just another man playing at intrigue. But now, here he was, slipping back into her night like a shadow she couldn't shake.

His gaze drifted toward the dance floor, where Clara and her husband moved in perfect harmony. "So, what is it?" he mused. "The flowers? The music? Or do you just hate watching people pretend love is real?"

Selene exhaled slowly, tapping her nails against her glass. "Love isn't real. Not the way people think it is."

Damien studied her, his expression unreadable. "And what way do you think it is?"

She turned to face him fully, tilting her head slightly. "Love is just another game. Like sex, like power. People want to believe it's different, but in the end, it's all about control."

Chapter 4 – The Truth Behind the Mask

Of course.

Selene should have seen it sooner.

Damien Wolfe wasn't different. He wasn't special. He was just another man circling her like a predator, waiting for his moment to strike.

Men were simple. No matter how they dressed it up—charm, mystery, power—it all came down to the same thing. Sex. They wanted to own her body, to claim her in a way that made them feel superior.

Damien was no different.

She leaned back against the plush velvet of the lounge chair, swirling her wine lazily as the thought settled in. She had walked away from him at the wedding, but he had already gotten under her skin in a way that bothered her. And she hated that.

So, she did what she always did when a man thought he had power over her.

She decided to flip the script.

Selene texted him.

A simple message. No games, no illusions of romance. Just an invitation—one that promised exactly what all men wanted.

Selene: Luna Noire. Midnight. If you want me, come get me.

The moment she hit send, she felt a strange sense of satisfaction. This was how she worked. She dictated the terms. She was in control.

And Damien Wolfe was about to learn exactly what that meant.

---

She spotted him the moment he walked into Luna Noire.

Unlike the other men in their desperate suits and eager eyes, Damien moved like he belonged in the shadows. He didn't rush toward her. He didn't let his gaze devour her the way others did. He simply approached with slow, deliberate steps, his dark eyes locked onto her as if he already knew her game.

Good. Let him think that.

Selene smirked, crossing her legs as he settled into the seat across from her. "Took you long enough."

Damien tilted his head slightly, amusement flickering across his face. "I was curious."

She raised a brow. "Curious about what?"

He leaned in just a fraction. "Why a woman who claims to be untouchable suddenly decided to invite me into her web."

Selene laughed, light and effortless. "Oh, Damien. It's not that deep. You want sex. I don't mind giving it to you. No attachments, no expectations. Just what men like you always want."

His gaze didn't waver. "And what do you want, Selene?"

She blinked, caught off guard for just a second. No man had ever asked that before. They never cared.

Her fingers tightened slightly around her glass. "Does it matter?"

Damien exhaled slowly, studying her in a way that made her skin prickle. "Maybe it should."

Something inside her twisted—something unfamiliar, something dangerous.

She needed to end this. Now.

Selene reached out, trailing a single finger down the back of his hand, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Are you coming home with me or not?"

He didn't move. Didn't react the way she expected. Instead, he smirked, eyes dark with something unreadable. "You think this is a game."

She arched a brow. "Isn't it?"

Damien leaned in closer, so close she could feel his breath against her skin. "Not with me."

For the first time in years, Selene felt something sharp and unfamiliar crawl up her spine

Because for the first time, she wasn't sure if she was the one in control.

His eyes flickered with something she couldn't quite place. Amusement? Curiosity? Or something deeper?

He leaned in, just enough to lower his voice. "Then tell me, Selene—who's winning?"

Her breath caught for half a second before she forced herself to smile. She had spent years perfecting this mask, and no man—not even Damien Wolfe—would be the one to slip beneath it.

So she did what she did best. She walked away.

But for the first time in a long time, she wasn't sure if she had really won.

Chapter 4 – The Truth Behind the Mask

Of course.

Selene should have seen it sooner.

Damien Wolfe wasn't different. He wasn't special. He was just another man circling her like a predator, waiting for his moment to strike.

Men were simple. No matter how they dressed it up—charm, mystery, power—it all came down to the same thing. Sex. They wanted to own her body, to claim her in a way that made them feel superior.

Damien was no different.

She leaned back against the plush velvet of the lounge chair, swirling her wine lazily as the thought settled in. She had walked away from him at the wedding, but he had already gotten under her skin in a way that bothered her. And she hated that.

So, she did what she always did when a man thought he had power over her.

She decided to flip the script.

Selene texted him.

A simple message. No games, no illusions of romance. Just an invitation—one that promised exactly what all men wanted.

Selene: Luna Noire. Midnight. If you want me, come get me.

The moment she hit send, she felt a strange sense of satisfaction. This was how she worked. She dictated the terms. She was in control.

And Damien Wolfe was about to learn exactly what that meant.

---

She spotted him the moment he walked into Luna Noire.

Unlike the other men in their desperate suits and eager eyes, Damien moved like he belonged in the shadows. He didn't rush toward her. He didn't let his gaze devour her the way others did. He simply approached with slow, deliberate steps, his dark eyes locked onto her as if he already knew her game.

Good. Let him think that.

Selene smirked, crossing her legs as he settled into the seat across from her. "Took you long enough."

Damien tilted his head slightly, amusement flickering across his face. "I was curious."

She raised a brow. "Curious about what?"

He leaned in just a fraction. "Why a woman who claims to be untouchable suddenly decided to invite me into her web."

Selene laughed, light and effortless. "Oh, Damien. It's not that deep. You want sex. I don't mind giving it to you. No attachments, no expectations. Just what men like you always want."

His gaze didn't waver. "And what do you want, Selene?"

She blinked, caught off guard for just a second. No man had ever asked that before. They never cared.

Her fingers tightened slightly around her glass. "Does it matter?"

Damien exhaled slowly, studying her in a way that made her skin prickle. "Maybe it should."

Something inside her twisted—something unfamiliar, something dangerous.

She needed to end this. Now.

Selene reached out, trailing a single finger down the back of his hand, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Are you coming home with me or not?"

He didn't move. Didn't react the way she expected. Instead, he smirked, eyes dark with something unreadable. "You think this is a game."

She arched a brow. "Isn't it?"

Damien leaned in closer, so close she could feel his breath against her skin. "Not with me."

For the first time in years, Selene felt something sharp and unfamiliar crawl up her spine.

Because for the first time, she wasn't sure if she was the one in control.

Chapter 5 – The Divide

Selene had expected Damien to follow her without question.

That was how it always worked. Men never turned down what she offered. They never hesitated. They took.

But Damien Wolfe wasn't playing by the rules.

She had led him back to her apartment, a sleek, minimalistic space that mirrored her personality—elegant, controlled, untouched by unnecessary clutter. She had poured them both a drink, letting the dim lighting and the late hour set the mood. She had leaned in, fingertips grazing his jaw, her body language making it clear what came next.

But Damien had stopped her.

His fingers wrapped gently around her wrist, halting her movements. His gaze held hers, dark and unreadable. "Is this all it is to you?"

Selene tensed. She hated questions like that. They served no purpose. "What else would it be?" she countered, voice smooth as silk.

Damien studied her for a long moment, then exhaled. "You think sex is just a transaction. Physical. Mechanical."

She arched a brow. "Isn't it?"

His jaw tightened. "No. It's more than that."

Selene smirked, amused by his sincerity. "Oh, Damien. You're one of those men."

He crossed his arms, un bothered. "And what kind is that?"

"The ones who think sex needs emotions to mean something." She tilted her head, running a slow finger down the front of his shirt. "Let me guess. You believe in connection, in feeling something deeper. Maybe even—" she lowered her voice mockingly, "—love?"

Damien didn't flinch. "And you don't?"

She laughed softly. "Love is just an illusion people create to make sex feel important."

Something flickered in his eyes—something not quite anger, but close. "So, what? You sleep with men, and the moment they think they mean something to you, you walk away?"

She shrugged. "That's the deal. They just don't realize it until it's too late."

Damien shook his head, a humorless chuckle escaping his lips. "You act like that's power, but it's just avoidance."

Selene's smirk faltered for half a second. Avoidance?

She stepped closer, her body pressing lightly against his, her lips inches from his. "And what exactly do you think I'm avoiding, Damien?"

He didn't back away. "Feeling anything real."

A strange heat curled in her chest—something sharp, something uncomfortable.

Selene didn't do real.

So she did what she always did when a man tried to crack through her armor.

She hardened.

Her expression cooled, her body language shifting from seduction to indifference. "This was a mistake."

Damien's jaw flexed, but he nodded once. "Maybe."

She turned, moving to the door, opening it without hesitation. "Goodnight, Damien."

He didn't argue. Didn't plead.

He simply met her gaze one last time and said, "You're not as untouchable as you think, Selene."

Then he walked out.

Selene stood there, staring at the empty doorway, gripping the handle tighter than necessary.

She had won.

So why did it feel like she had lost?

Chapter 6 – The Distraction Game

Selene sat at a rooftop bar, bathed in the warm glow of city lights, a cocktail in hand and laughter surrounding her.

This was what she needed. A night out with her girls, a distraction, a reminder that Damien Wolfe was just another man.

"He's nothing special."

She repeated the thought like a mantra, sipping her drink, letting the alcohol burn away the frustration still coiled in her chest.

Across the table, Clara—glowing with newlywed happiness—was animatedly telling a story, her hands moving as she spoke. "So then, James tries to carry me into the bedroom like in those romantic movies, but he trips over my shoe and boom—we both hit the floor."

Laughter erupted around the table. Even Selene managed a smirk.

The other women—Emily, Jade, and Sienna—giggled between sips of wine, lost in the bliss of girl talk. But Selene wasn't really listening. Not entirely.

Because her mind kept slipping.

You're not as untouchable as you think, Selene.

Damien's words echoed in her head, unwanted and persistent.

She exhaled sharply and downed the rest of her drink.

"Okay," Sienna said, leaning in with a knowing grin. "We've talked enough about Clara's perfect little love story. Selene, tell us—who's the latest guy you've got wrapped around your finger?"

Selene smirked, slipping back into her role effortlessly. "Oh, you know me. Men come and go."

Emily rolled her eyes. "You make it sound so casual."

"It is casual," Selene said smoothly. "No complications. No drama. Just fun."

Jade nudged her playfully. "Please. You're the queen of breaking hearts."

Selene let out a light laugh, but it felt forced.

Because, for the first time, she wasn't sure if she had actually won.

Why did Damien walk away so easily?

Men always wanted her. They always chased. They always came back.

But he hadn't.

And that shouldn't have bothered her.

Yet here she was, sitting at a table full of her closest friends, pretending to be fine while her thoughts were consumed by a man who had barely even touched her.

Selene shook her head, forcing the tension from her shoulders. She reached for the bottle of wine, pouring herself another drink.

This was nothing.

Damien Wolfe would be just another name she forgot.

She just had to make sure of it.

So she raised her glass and smirked. "Enough about me. Let's talk about something more interesting."

Her friends cheered, shifting the conversation, and Selene let herself get lost in the noise.

But deep down, she

knew.

No amount of distractions would make her forget him.

Chapter 7 – The Settling Down Talk

Selene was halfway through her third drink when Clara leaned in, her expression shifting from playful to serious.

"You know," Clara said, swirling her wine glass, "I've been thinking about you a lot lately."

Selene arched a brow. "That sounds dangerous."

Clara smirked but didn't back down. "I'm serious. We've been best friends for years, and I know you better than anyone. You always act like love is some kind of joke, but have you ever considered that maybe, just maybe, you're wrong?"

Selene sighed, resting her elbow on the table. "Clara, don't start."

"I'm just saying," Clara pressed, "you're not getting any younger—"

"Oh, God." Selene groaned, rubbing her temples. "If this is going to turn into one of those 'it's time to settle down' speeches, spare me."

Clara ignored her. "I get that commitment isn't your thing, but don't you ever wonder what it would be like to have something real? Something lasting?"

Selene laughed, but there was no real humor in it. "Lasting? Like what? Your perfect little marriage?" She gestured vaguely. "No offense, but I don't buy it."

Clara's expression softened. "It's not about perfection, Sel. It's about finding someone who actually matters. Someone who challenges you, who sees you for who you are and stays anyway."

Something sharp twisted in Selene's chest. Someone who challenges you.

Damien's face flickered in her mind, uninvited.

She pushed the thought away, shaking her head. "That's nice for you, Clara. But I don't need a man to complete me."

"I'm not saying you do." Clara took a sip of her drink, eyes thoughtful. "I just think you're so busy proving you don't need love that you're not even giving yourself the chance to want it."

Selene felt a flicker of irritation. "Love is a risk. And frankly, I'd rather not gamble with something that fragile."

Clara smiled, but it was tinged with sadness. "Not all men are like the ones who hurt you, Selene."

Selene stiffened.

She hated when Clara did this—when she peeled back the mask she worked so hard to keep in place.

So she shrugged, feigning indifference. "Maybe. But I'm not interested in finding out."

Clara sighed but didn't push further. "Just promise me one thing?"

Selene rolled her eyes. "Here we go."

"If a man ever comes along who actually makes you feel something, don't run from it."

Selene smirked. "Clara, I don't run. I walk away."

But even as she said the words, she felt the lie in them.

Because hadn't she already walked away from Damien

And wasn't she still thinking about him anyway?

Chapter 8 – The Escape

Selene could feel Clara's gaze lingering on her, waiting for some kind of reaction.

The conversation had gone too deep, too personal.

She needed an exit.

With a smooth, practiced motion, she glanced at her phone and sighed. "Damn. I just remembered—I have work to do."

Clara's expression was skeptical. "Work? At this hour?"

Selene stood, grabbing her purse. "Deadlines don't care about the time, Clara." She forced a smirk. "Unlike you, some of us don't have a husband to take care of all our problems."

Clara rolled her eyes but didn't argue. "Fine, run away. But don't think this conversation is over."

Selene winked. "Oh, I'm counting on it."

She turned on her heel, walking away before anyone could say more.

The moment she stepped outside, the cool night air hit her, but it did nothing to clear the unease curling in her stomach.

She had done what she always did—walked away before things got too real.

So why did it feel like she was still running?

Chapter 9 – The Unwanted Thoughts

Selene sat at her desk, fingers poised over the keyboard, eyes fixed on the blank document in front of her.

Work.

That was the solution. That was always the solution.

When life got too complicated, she drowned herself in deadlines, reports, and emails. It was a foolproof distraction.

Except tonight, it wasn't working.

She sighed, leaning back in her chair, rubbing her temples. Clara's words echoed in her head like an annoying song she couldn't turn off.

"Not all men are like the ones who hurt you, Selene."

"If a man ever comes along who actually makes you feel something, don't run from it."

She scoffed under her breath. Feel something?

She didn't do feelings.

She had spent years mastering the art of detachment, making sure no man ever got close enough to matter. It was safer that way—cleaner. No emotions, no attachments, no mess.

So why the hell was she sitting here, thinking about a man who had walked away from her?

Selene scowled and reached for her phone, scrolling aimlessly through emails, then social media, then back to her emails—anything to fill the silence.

But her mind kept drifting back to Damien.

To the way he had looked at her—not with hunger, not with desire, but with something deeper. Something infuriating.

To the way he had challenged her, refusing to play her game like every other man before him.

To the way he had walked away, leaving her standing there, confused and unsettled.

Selene clenched her jaw.

This was ridiculous.

She didn't chase. She didn't care.

And yet, when she closed her eyes, she could still hear his voice.

"You're not as untouchable as you think, Selene."

Her grip tightened on her phone before she tossed it onto the desk with a frustrated sigh.

She needed to snap out of this.

She needed another distraction.

Because if she sat here any longer, she might start wondering if Clara had been right.

And that was a thought she wasn't ready to face.

Chapter 10 – The Wrong Distraction

Selene sat at the dimly lit bar, a glass of whiskey in her hand and a confident smirk on her lips.

This was familiar. This was easy.

Flirting, seduction, control—it was second nature to her. She could have any man she wanted, and tonight, she was going to prove it.

Across the bar, her target smiled at her. He was exactly the type she usually went for—tall, good-looking, and just charming enough to be entertaining but not interesting enough to leave a mark.

Perfect.

She beckoned him over with a tilt of her head, and he wasted no time sliding into the seat next to her. "I was hoping you'd look my way," he said smoothly.

Selene smiled, tilting her glass to her lips. "Lucky you."

His hand brushed against her thigh—bold, eager. She let it happen, leaning in just enough to keep his interest piqued.

The game had begun.

The conversation was easy, the touches predictable. He bought her another drink, laughed at all the right moments, and whispered sweet nothings that meant absolutely nothing.

And yet… something was off.

It wasn't him—he was playing his role perfectly.

It was her.

Because no matter how much she smiled, no matter how close she leaned, her mind wasn't here.

It was somewhere else.

With someone else.

"You're not as untouchable as you think, Selene."

Damien's voice crawled into her thoughts, unwelcome and persistent.

She tensed, gripping her glass tighter. This wasn't supposed to happen. This was supposed to be easy.

She needed to prove that nothing had changed. That she was still in control.

So when her companion leaned in, murmuring an invitation against her ear, she nodded. "Let's get out of here."

He grinned, taking her hand, leading her toward the exit.

But as they stepped outside, a cold realization settled in her chest.

She didn't want this.

She didn't want him.

And that terrified her

Because if it wasn't him… then who was it?

Chapter 11 – Hollow Passion

Selene let him lead her into his apartment, her steps steady, her mind set.

This was what she did.

This was who she was.

The man—Derek? Daniel?—she couldn't even remember his name—closed the door behind them, pulling her in for a kiss. His hands roamed her body, eager, impatient.

She responded automatically, lips moving, fingers pulling, bodies pressing.

It should have felt exhilarating.

It didn't.

She let him undress her. Let him whisper things she didn't hear. Let him take her to bed.

It was routine. A transaction. A game she had played a hundred times before.

And yet, as he moved above her, as his breath hitched and his grip tightened, she felt… nothing.

No excitement. No pleasure. No satisfaction.

Just emptiness.

Her body responded the way it was supposed to. But her mind? It was detached, distant.

And in that distance, a face surfaced.

Damien.

She clenched her jaw, nails digging into the sheets, as if that would force the image away.

She wasn't supposed to be thinking about him.

She wasn't supposed to want him.

But as Derek—or Daniel—shuddered above her, the weight of her own lie crashed down on her.

This wasn't control

This was avoidance

And it wasn't working.

Chapter 12 – The Unwelcome Surprise

Selene lay still for a moment, staring at the ceiling, rage simmering beneath her skin.

What the hell was wrong with her?

This was supposed to fix things.

She was supposed to feel in control again, not… hollow.

With a sharp inhale, she sat up, shoving her tangled hair back. The man beside her—whatever his name was—stretched lazily, clearly satisfied.

"Damn," he muttered with a grin. "That was—"

"Get out."

His smile faltered. "What?"

She stood, reaching for her clothes, not bothering to look at him. "You heard me. Get dressed and get out."

He let out a short laugh, but there was uncertainty in it. "Wow. Cold, much?"

She shot him a glare. "Did I promise you breakfast?"

His expression hardened. "You know, you act all tough, but I bet deep down, you're just afraid to let anyone in."

Selene smirked, masking the sting of his words. "And yet, you were still dumb enough to come in the first place."

That shut him up.

Muttering a curse, he grabbed his clothes and left, slamming the door behind him.

The moment he was gone, Selene exhaled sharply, pressing her fingers to her temples.

She needed to pull herself together.

Throwing on a crisp blouse and pencil skirt, she forced her mind into work mode. That was the only thing she could count on to keep her grounded.

Within the hour, she was walking into the sleek office building, heels clicking against the marble floor.

A fresh start. A clean slate.

And then she saw him.

Damien.

Standing at the front of the conference room, arms crossed, exuding authority.

Her stomach dropped.

What the hell was he doing here?

As if sensing her presence, he turned, locking eyes with her. A slow, knowing smirk tugged at his lips.

"Good morning, Selene," he said smoothly. "We have a lot to discuss."

She clenched her jaw

Of course.

Of course he was her new boss.

Chapter 13 – The Power Shift

Selene forced her expression into perfect neutrality, even as her pulse pounded in her ears.

Damien.

Here.

In her office.

As her boss.

She squared her shoulders, stepping further into the room, refusing to let him see her hesitation.

"What is this?" she asked, her voice sharper than intended.

Damien's smirk deepened. "A company restructuring. You'll find the details in your inbox."

She folded her arms, eyes narrowing. "And you just happened to land at the top?"

He tilted his head. "Why? Does that bother you?"

Selene ignored the heat creeping up her spine. "I just don't like surprises."

He stepped closer, his presence annoyingly steady. "Then this is going to be fun."

Her jaw tightened. "If you're expecting me to—"

The conference room door swung open, cutting her off as the rest of the department filtered in.

Saved by the meeting.

Selene took a seat, keeping her gaze fixed ahead, refusing to acknowledge the amused glance Damien sent her way.

This was fine.

This was just work.

Except, as the meeting began and Damien spoke with calm authority, Selene felt something shift.

For the first time, she wasn't in control.

And she hated it.

Chapter 14 – Unsteady Ground

Selene prided herself on composure.

She had perfected the art of staying unreadable, untouchable.

But Damien was testing that. Enjoying it.

The meeting had barely ended when he leaned against her desk, arms crossed, smirk firmly in place.

"I'm impressed, Selene," he mused. "You held it together in there."

She gave him a tight smile. "I always hold it together."

His gaze flickered with something unreadable. "Do you?"

Her fingers twitched. She hated the way his voice carried weight, like he saw through her, peeling away layers she had carefully built over the years.

"I don't have time for whatever game this is," she said coolly, reaching for her laptop.

Damien didn't move. "Who said it was a game?"

Selene inhaled sharply but refused to look at him.

Silence stretched between them, thick with something unspoken.

Then, just as she thought he might leave, he leaned down, voice lowering to a near whisper.

"Careful, Selene," he murmured. "You're starting to look… unsettled."

Her eyes snapped to his, fire burning behind them.

And damn him—he smirked, knowing exactly what he was doing.

Without another word, he straightened and walked away, leaving her gripping her pen like it was a weapon.

Selene exhaled sharply.

This wasn't over.

Not even close.

Chapter 15 – The Power Play

Selene refused to let Damien win.

If he thought he could waltz in and throw her off balance, he had another thing coming.

So, the next morning, she walked into the office with a plan—she would push back. Hard.

Her first move? Challenging him in front of the entire team.

During the morning briefing, Damien outlined a new strategy, his voice calm and authoritative as usual. The team listened intently—too intently for Selene's liking.

When he finished, she leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. "Interesting plan, Damien," she said smoothly. "But don't you think it's a little risky?"

His eyes met hers, something amused flickering behind them. "Go on."

She tilted her head. "Shifting resources like that could leave gaps in productivity. It might make more sense to adjust the rollout timeline."

Damien tapped a pen against the table. "That's one way to look at it."

"It's the practical way to look at it," she countered.

Silence stretched. The team exchanged glances.

Then Damien smirked. "Or," he said, "it's the safe way. And I don't take you for someone who plays it safe, Selene."

Her stomach tightened, but she kept her expression cool. "I play to win."

Damien leaned forward slightly, as if the rest of the room had disappeared. "Then I guess we'll see who comes out on top."

A challenge.

And damn

it, she was not going to lose.

Chapter 16 – The Line Blurs

Selene needed a drink.

The week had been a battlefield—every meeting, every interaction with Damien charged with a tension that was impossible to ignore. He was relentless, countering her every move with infuriating ease, always staying one step ahead.

But outside the office? That was her territory.

Which was exactly why she was at Noir, the upscale lounge she frequented when she needed a distraction. A glass of red wine in hand, she let the soft hum of conversation and the dim lighting soothe her nerves.

And then she felt it.

A presence.

A familiar heat against her skin.

She didn't have to turn around to know who it was.

"I didn't take you for a wine drinker," Damien's voice slid over her like silk.

Selene took a slow sip before glancing at him. "And I didn't take you for a stalker."

Damien smirked, settling into the seat beside her as if he belonged there. "Relax, Selene. It's a public place."

She narrowed her eyes. "And yet, you're here."

He leaned in slightly. "Maybe I just enjoy seeing you squirm."

Her grip on the glass tightened. He was doing it again—pressing just enough to get under her skin, to unravel the carefully constructed walls she refused to let down.

She exhaled slowly, tilting her head. "If that's your idea of fun, you should get out more."

Damien chuckled, but his eyes darkened slightly. "I think you mistake this for a game."

She arched a brow. "Isn't it?"

For the first time, his smirk faded.

A moment stretched between them, charged and unspoken.

Then, just as quickly, the smirk returned. "Careful, Selene. If you're not playing, you might have to admit this means something."

Her breath caught—just for a second.

Then, masking the reaction with a slow sip of wine, she met his gaze head-on. "It doesn't."

Damien held her stare, his expression unreadable.

"Good," he murmured.

But as he leaned back, his smirk wasn't victorious.

It was knowing

And that unsettled her more than anything else.

Chapter 17 – In Control

Selene refused to let Damien get to her.

The moment she left Noir, she convinced herself it was nothing. Just another encounter with another man who thought he could break past her walls.

He was no different from the rest.

And she would prove it.

The next morning, she threw herself into work with ruthless efficiency, burying herself in reports, meetings, and anything that kept her mind occupied. If Damien thought he had rattled her, he was dead wrong.

By midday, she had scheduled back-to-back calls, reorganized an entire department proposal, and even had time for a power lunch—alone.

She was in control.

Or so she thought.

Because the moment she stepped into the office corridor, Damien was there.

Leaning against the wall, arms crossed, watching her with that infuriating smirk.

"Working hard, I see."

Selene didn't break stride. "Some of us have things to do."

He fell into step beside her, too close, too casual. "And yet, you look like you're running."

She shot him a sharp look. "From what?"

His smirk deepened. "You tell me."

Selene exhaled through her nose, forcing her voice to stay cool. "Not everything is about you, Damien."

He stopped walking. "You're right."

She almost kept going—almost ignored the way his tone shifted. But something in his voice made her pause.

When she turned, he was watching her with an expression she couldn't quite read.

"But you're making it obvious that something is."

For a split second, her composure wavered. But then she lifted her chin, eyes cold.

"You don't matter enough for that."

She expected him to look angry, to push back, to prove her wrong.

But he just smiled. Slow. Knowing.

"We'll see."

Selene turned sharply and walked away.

She wasn't running.

She wasn't

But the pounding in her chest told a different story.

Chapter 18 – Too Close for Comfort

Selene exhaled as she stepped into her apartment building, savoring the quiet.

Work had been a battlefield, but at least here—within these walls—she was in control.

She kicked off her heels, loosened the buttons of her blouse, and poured herself a glass of wine. Peace. Finally.

Then she heard it.

The unmistakable sound of movement next door.

She frowned. That apartment had been empty for months.

Setting her glass down, she walked to the window, pushing aside the curtain just enough to get a glimpse of the new tenant.

And froze.

There, standing on the balcony, casually drinking a beer like he belonged there—was Damien.

For a second, she thought she was imagining it.

But then, as if sensing her, he turned his head.

Their eyes met.

And that damned smirk appeared.

Selene dropped the curtain like it burned her.

No. No.

This was not happening.

A knock at her door made her heart slam against her ribs.

For a moment, she considered ignoring it. Pretending she wasn't home. Pretending she hadn't just been caught spying.

But she wasn't a coward.

She yanked the door open, arms crossed, expression blank.

Damien leaned against the doorframe, casual as ever. "Miss me already?"

Selene inhaled slowly. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"Moving in," he said simply.

Her fingers curled into her palm. "Of all the places in the city—"

"What can I say?" He shrugged. "Good location. Great view."

His gaze dipped slightly—just enough to make her pulse spike.

Selene gritted her teeth. "You can't live here."

He arched a brow. "Pretty sure my lease says otherwise."

She hated him. Hated the way he was everywhere, pressing into parts of her life he had no business being in.

He leaned in slightly. "You look tense, Selene."

She forced a smile, sweet and lethal. "That's because I'm imagining all the ways I could have you evicted."

He chuckled. "I look forward to the attempt."

With that, he stepped back, hands in his pockets, as if completely at ease.

"Good night, neighbor," he said, turning toward his door.

Selene slammed hers shut.

This wasn't happening.

But deep down, she knew—this was just the beginning.

Chapter 19 – Too Close, Too Often

Selene had a plan.

Ignore him. Act like he didn't exist.

If Damien thought moving in next door would rattle her, he had another thing coming.

For two days, she succeeded. She left for work early, came home late, and didn't so much as glance in his direction. If she heard his footsteps in the hall, she waited until he was gone. If she heard his door open, she pretended she didn't.

It was working.

Until it wasn't.

It was past midnight when she stepped out of her apartment, barefoot, dressed in nothing but a silk robe. She had planned to grab the package left outside her door, nothing more.

But just as she bent down to pick it up, another door creaked open.

She froze.

And then, of course, he spoke.

"Nice night for a late stroll."

Selene straightened, her fingers tightening around the package. She didn't have to turn around to know Damien was leaning against his doorframe, watching her with that amused expression.

She sighed. "Do you ever mind your own business?"

"I was until you stepped outside looking like that."

Her breath hitched before she could stop it.

Like that.

She knew what he meant. The silk robe barely reached mid-thigh, her skin flushed from the heat of her apartment. She hadn't expected to run into anyone—especially him.

She turned, narrowing her eyes. "Don't flatter yourself."

He smirked. "Too late."

Selene exhaled sharply and turned to leave, but Damien's voice stopped her again.

"You've been avoiding me."

She didn't turn around. "You're imagining things."

His voice dipped lower. "Am I?"

Her grip tightened on the package. "I don't have time for this, Damien."

He took a step closer. Not touching. Just near enough to make her feel him.

"Then why are you still standing here?"

Her pulse spiked, and she hated it. Hated that he knew exactly how to play this game.

Selene inhaled slowly, forcing herself to turn around. She met his gaze, her expression blank. "I don't play into men's egos. And I don't get distracted."

Damien studied her for a moment, then tilted his head. "Funny. You look distracted to me."

Her jaw tightened.

She had two choices. Walk away and pretend this never happened—or do something to put him back in his place.

So, she stepped forward. Closing the space between them.

"Let me make something clear," she murmured, voice low. "I don't care where you live. I don't care what you do. And I definitely don't care about you."

Damien's smirk didn't falter. If anything, it deepened.

"That's a lot of effort for someone you don't care about."

Selene's stomach twisted.

She turned sharply and walked back into her apartment, slamming the door behind her.

Her heartbeat was too fast her skin too warm.

Damien was getting under her skin

And she hated it.

Chapter 20 – Close, Too Close

Selene wasn't looking for Damien.

She had just come back from an exhausting day at work, heels clicking against the polished floor of the apartment lobby, ready to head upstairs and lock the world out.

And then she saw him.

Standing by the entrance.

With her.

The woman was stunning—long legs, soft waves of chestnut hair, and a laugh that rang out like music. She leaned into Damien, her fingers lightly brushing his arm.

Selene's steps slowed.

Something sharp and unwelcome twisted in her chest.

It didn't matter. It didn't matter.

She forced her feet forward, walking past them with her head held high, ignoring the way Damien's gaze flickered to her.

But she didn't make it far.

"Selene," Damien called out.

She could've kept walking. Should have.

Instead, she stopped. Slowly, she turned, arching a brow. "Yes?"

The woman beside him glanced between them, sensing something, before flashing Damien a smile. "I'll see you later?"

Damien nodded. "Yeah."

Selene watched as the woman strutted off, her heels clicking against the floor.

Then it was just them.

Silence stretched between them, thick and charged.

Damien smirked. "Didn't know you were home early."

Selene crossed her arms, keeping her voice neutral. "Didn't know you were seeing someone."

His smirk deepened. "Didn't know you cared."

Her nails dug into her palms. "I don't."

She turned on her heel, heading for the elevator, but Damien was right behind her.

As soon as the doors slid shut, he stepped closer. Close enough that she could smell his cologne, the faintest hint of whiskey on his breath.

She refused to step back.

He studied her, voice softer now. "You sure about that?"

Selene exhaled sharply, forcing a cool smile. "You're free to do whatever you want, Damien."

He tilted his head. "And yet, you're angry."

She wasn't.

Except she was.

The elevator dinged, but neither of them moved.

His gaze flickered to her lips, just for a second, but long enough for her breath to hitch.

It would be so easy.

To close the gap.

To pull him in.

To give in to the heat humming between them.

But that would mean admitting something she wasn't ready to.

Selene clenched her jaw and stepped back. "Enjoy your night."

She walked out without looking back.

Without acknowledging 

 the fact that, for the first time in a long time, she had almost lost control.

Chapter 21 – Unwelcome Confessions

Selene didn't do jealousy.

It was a useless emotion, born from weakness and attachment—two things she had no interest in.

And yet, hours after seeing Damien with that woman, she still felt off.

Annoyed. Restless.

So, she did the only thing she could think of—she called Clara.

Thirty minutes later, they were seated at a rooftop lounge, the city lights flickering in the distance. Selene stirred her drink absentmindedly, jaw tight.

Clara raised a brow. "Alright, spill. You only ask me out for cocktails when you need to talk."

Selene sighed, swirling the rim of her glass. "It's nothing."

Clara smirked. "It's never nothing."

Selene exhaled through her nose, staring at the skyline. "Damien was with a woman tonight."

Clara took a slow sip of her drink, watching her carefully. "And?"

Selene's fingers tightened around her glass. "And nothing. He can do whatever he wants."

Clara hummed. "But you feel some type of way about it."

"I don't."

Clara tilted her head. "Then why are we here?"

Selene's jaw clenched.

She hated this.

Hated that her friend saw right through her.

Hated that she didn't even fully understand why this was bothering her so much.

Clara leaned forward, voice softer now. "Selene… be honest. Does he get to you?"

Selene scoffed, forcing a smirk. "Please. He's just a man. And all men are the same."

Clara studied her, unconvinced. "Then why does this feel different?"

Selene hesitated.

For a split second, the memory of Damien's gaze on her lips flashed in her mind. The way her breath had caught. The way she'd almost—

She downed the rest of her drink, pushing the thought away.

"I just don't like surprises," she said finally. "And Damien showing up everywhere is annoying."

Clara didn't look convinced. "Right. Annoying."

Selene rolled her eyes. "Are you done psychoanalyzing me?"

Clara smirked. "For now."

Selene exhaled, tapping her fingers against the table. "Good."

But even as they moved on to lighter conversation, one truth lingered in the back of her mind.

Damien did get to her.

And she had no idea what to do about it.

Chapter 22 – The Perfect Solution

Selene swirled the last of her cocktail, watching the ice clink against the glass. The city lights shimmered around them, but her thoughts were locked onto one thing.

Or rather, one man.

Clara watched her carefully. "You're still thinking about him."

Selene exhaled through her nose, then leaned back in her chair. "I have a solution."

Clara lifted a brow. "Oh?"

Selene shrugged, keeping her expression casual. "I'll sleep with him."

Clara blinked. "Excuse me?"

Selene smirked, taking a slow sip of her drink. "You heard me. If I have sex with him, I'll get him out of my system. Problem solved."

Clara stared at her for a long moment. Then, she burst out laughing.

Selene frowned. "What?"

Clara shook her head, amusement dancing in her eyes. "Oh, sweetie. That's not how this works."

Selene tilted her head, feigning innocence. "I think I know how sex works, Clara."

Clara smirked. "I'm sure you do. But let's be real—this isn't just sex. If it were, you wouldn't be sitting here, drinking cocktails, trying to convince yourself otherwise."

Selene's grip on her glass tightened.

Clara leaned forward. "Tell me this—when was the last time you needed to 'get a man out of your system'?"

Selene opened her mouth, then shut it.

Clara's smirk widened. "Exactly."

Selene rolled her eyes. "This is different."

"How?"

"Because…" Selene exhaled, searching for the right words. "Because he's everywhere. At work. Next door. He's in my head, Clara, and it's annoying."

Clara rested her chin in her palm. "And you think sleeping with him will make it stop?"

Selene nodded. "Absolutely."

Clara sighed, sitting back. "I love you, Selene, but you are so full of it."

Selene scoffed. "Thanks for the support."

Clara gave her a knowing look. "You're trying to convince yourself that this is just about sex, but deep down, you know it's not."

Selene's stomach twisted.

She shook her head, pushing back the creeping doubt. "It doesn't have to be complicated. I set the rules. I stay in control."

Clara studied her for a moment, then sighed. "Fine. Do whatever you want. But don't come crying to me when it backfires."

Selene smirked. "It won't."

Clara didn't look convinced, but she let it go.

Selene finished the rest of her drink, forcing herself to believe her own words.

This wasn't about

feelings.

This was about control.

And she refused to lose it.

Chapter 23 – The Game Begins

The birthday party was in full swing.

Laughter, music, and the clinking of glasses filled the spacious home, as family and friends mingled, celebrating another year of life for Selene's cousin.

Selene moved through the crowd effortlessly, wearing a fitted black dress that hugged her curves just right. It wasn't for Damien, of course. It was just coincidence that she looked particularly good tonight.

She had a plan.

She would prove to herself—and to Clara—that this thing with Damien was nothing. That she could have him, enjoy him, and walk away untouched.

And when she saw him, standing across the room, laughing at something her cousin had said, she knew it was time to start.

Their eyes met.

A slow smirk tugged at Damien's lips as if he knew exactly what she was thinking.

Selene tilted her head, arching a brow. Challenge accepted.

She turned on her heel, slipping away from the crowd, making sure he saw her leave.

She didn't have to wait long.

Minutes later, footsteps echoed behind her as she stepped into the quiet study at the back of the house.

She didn't turn when the door shut.

Didn't flinch when Damien's deep voice filled the silence.

"You do know running off like that is an invitation?"

Selene smirked, finally turning to face him. "Maybe I was hoping you'd take the hint."

Damien leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, his eyes dark and unreadable. "And what exactly do you want from me, Selene?"

She took slow, deliberate steps toward him, trailing a finger along the desk beside her. "Isn't it obvious?"

He didn't move. Didn't back away.

And that only made her more determined.

Stopping just inches away, she let her fingers brush the lapels of his jacket, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I think we both know what's going to happen."

Damien's gaze flickered to her lips, just for a second.

Enough to make heat coil low in her stomach.

But then—he did something unexpected.

He smirked. Amused.

Selene narrowed her eyes. "What's funny?"

He leaned in slightly, his breath warm against her skin. "You think you're in control right now."

Her heart kicked up, but she didn't let it show. "I am in control."

Damien chuckled, low and deep. "Then why do you look like you're waiting for me to make the next move?"

Selene's breath hitched.

Damn him.

She had come here to seduce him, to prove a point. And yet, somehow, he was still the one playing with her.

Not this time.

Selene closed the distance, pressing her body against his, her lips just a whisper away from his. "You think I won't do it?"

Damien's smirk didn't waver. "I think you want to do it."

She did.

And that was the problem.

Her fingers curled against his chest. Just one more inch. Just one—

A knock on the door shattered the moment.

Selene stepped back, her pulse racing.

Damien watched her, eyes hooded with something unreadable, before turning toward the door.

"Better get back to the party," he murmured, amusement

lacing his voice.

Selene clenched her jaw.

This wasn't over.

Not by a long shot.

Chapter 24 – The Second Attempt

Selene didn't like losing.

And Damien?

He'd won that round.

She fumed silently through the rest of the party, smiling at the right moments, nodding along to conversations, but her mind was elsewhere—still back in that damn study, replaying every second of their interaction.

He had flipped the script on her. Again.

And that was unacceptable.

So, she made a decision.

If Damien thought he could toy with her, she'd prove him wrong. She'd come at him harder, make him crack first, and when she had him exactly where she wanted—she'd walk away.

Game on.

—

The opportunity presented itself sooner than she expected.

The party had started winding down, guests saying their goodbyes, laughter mellowing into quiet conversations. Damien was in the kitchen, standing by the counter, sipping a drink like he didn't have a care in the world.

Selene took her time walking over, letting her heels announce her arrival.

He didn't look surprised to see her.

Of course, he didn't.

Damien set his glass down, watching her with that same unreadable expression. "Didn't get enough earlier?"

Selene smirked, stepping closer. "I don't like unfinished business."

His lips twitched. "Is that what this is?"

"Absolutely."

Selene reached out, brushing her fingers along his wrist before sliding them up his arm. She felt the slight shift in his breathing—the subtle tension in his muscles.

He wasn't unaffected.

Good.

She pressed closer, her voice dropping into a near whisper. "Tell me, Damien… do you always walk away when you want something?"

His jaw flexed slightly. "You're assuming I want something."

Selene smiled. "I know you do."

His hand suddenly caught her wrist, firm but not forceful. "And what if I told you that walking away is part of the fun?"

Her pulse jumped, but she didn't let it show. "Then I'd say you enjoy playing games more than I do."

Damien leaned in just enough for her to feel his breath against her cheek. "And yet, here you are. Trying again."

Damn him.

Before she could reply, his fingers traced up her arm—light, teasing, just enough to send heat sparking through her.

No. She was supposed to be in control.

Selene swallowed, narrowing her eyes. "You think this is a game, Damien?"

He smirked. "I think you're terrified of what happens if you stop pretending it is."

Her breath hitched.

For a second—just a second—she forgot the rules.

Forgot why she was doing this.

And that was the moment Damien stepped back, leaving her standing there, breathless and frustrated.

"You'll figure it out eventually," he said smoothly, picking up his drink. "Goodnight, Selene."

And with that, he walked away.

Leaving her there. Again.

Selene clenched her fists, her pulse hammering.

This wasn't over.

Not even close.

Chapter 25 – Before Going

Selene stood frozen in the kitchen, fingers still curled into fists, her heart pounding with frustration.

Damien had done it again.

Twisted the moment, walked away like he had all the control, leaving her standing there like she was the one chasing him.

It was infuriating.

And worse?

It was working.

She should leave. Go home. Pretend none of this mattered.

But before she could move, she heard footsteps.

Familiar. Steady.

And then—

A hand caught her wrist.

Selene barely had time to turn before Damien was there, standing too close, looking at her like he was debating something.

Her breath caught. "Damien—"

He didn't let her finish.

His hand slid to the back of her neck, and then—his lips were on hers.

It wasn't slow.

It wasn't soft.

It was a kiss that stole the breath from her lungs, that shattered every thought in her head, that sent fire rushing through her veins.

Selene gasped against his mouth, but he didn't pull away. If anything, he deepened the kiss, fingers threading into her hair, keeping her close.

She should stop this.

She should shove him away.

But she didn't.

Instead, her fingers curled into his shirt, pulling him closer, letting herself drown in the heat of him, the way he tasted, the way he felt.

And then—just as suddenly as it started—he pulled back.

Selene's lips were parted, her breath uneven. She stared at him, wide-eyed, trying to process what just happened.

Damien exhaled slowly, his thumb brushing her jaw before he whispered,

"I have to do this before going."

And then—he was gone.

Selene stood there, pulse racing, knees weak.

What the hell just happened?

And why did she feel like she had just lost again?

Chapter 26 – Unraveled

Selene slammed the door to her apartment, her breath still uneven, her lips still tingling.

She pressed a hand to her chest, trying to steady the erratic rhythm of her heart.

This wasn't supposed to happen.

It was just a kiss.

Just lips on lips. Heat. Nothing more.

But it was. It was more.

Damien had kissed her like he knew her. Like he had seen past every defense, every carefully constructed rule she lived by.

And worse—she had kissed him back.

Selene squeezed her eyes shut, cursing under her breath.

This was wrong.

She didn't get shaken. She didn't let men crawl under her skin.

Yet here she was, pacing her living room like a woman completely unhinged.

Her phone buzzed on the coffee table. She snatched it up, needing a distraction, anything to pull her back into control.

It was Clara.

She hesitated for half a second before answering. "Hey."

"Hey?" Clara's voice was filled with suspicion. "Where have you been? You disappeared from the party."

Selene swallowed. "I—left early."

Clara hummed knowingly. "Left early, or left with someone?"

Selene stiffened. "No."

"Selene…"

She shut her eyes. Clara knew her too well.

"Fine," she muttered. "It was Damien."

A pause. Then— "Wait. You kissed him, didn't you?"

Selene's stomach twisted. "He kissed me."

A sharp inhale from the other end. "And you're freaking out."

Selene scoffed. "I am not freaking out."

"You sound like you're freaking out."

Selene exhaled sharply, dragging a hand through her hair. "It was nothing, Clara. It doesn't matter."

Silence. Then—

"Liar."

Selene's grip on the phone tightened. "It was just physical."

Clara sighed. "You don't get shaken by 'just physical,' Selene. Not ever."

Selene's throat went dry

She didn't have a response to that.

Because Clara was right.

Chapter 27 – Why Him?

Selene stared at the untouched coffee in front of her, fingers drumming against the side of the cup.

She shouldn't be here. She shouldn't be doing this.

Yet here she was—sitting across from Clara at their favorite café, fighting the urge to fidget like some nervous teenager.

Clara watched her with a knowing look, sipping her latte. "Alright, just say it."

Selene exhaled sharply. "Say what?"

Clara smirked. "Whatever's got you looking like you lost a bet with fate."

Selene scowled, then hesitated.

She didn't even know how to say it.

Finally, she dropped her hands into her lap and muttered, "Why is Damien affecting me?"

Clara's eyes widened, and then—of course—her smirk grew.

"Oh," she said, setting her cup down. "This is serious."

Selene shot her a glare. "I'm not in the mood for this, Clara."

Clara leaned forward, resting her chin on her palm. "Okay, let's break this down. You've been with plenty of guys, but none of them got under your skin. And now Damien does."

Selene shifted uncomfortably. "It's not that simple."

"Isn't it?" Clara tilted her head. "Let's start with the basics—do you like him?"

Selene opened her mouth, ready to scoff, but the words didn't come.

Like him?

That wasn't how she worked. She didn't like men. She used them, played them, enjoyed them—but she never felt anything real.

Clara saw the hesitation. Her expression softened. "Selene…"

Selene's jaw tightened. "I don't do feelings, Clara."

"I know," Clara said gently. "But maybe feelings are doing you."

Selene swallowed hard.

No. That wasn't possible.

It was just a kiss. Just tension. Just her mind playing tricks on her.

And yet

Why did

it feel like something inside her was unraveling?

Chapter 28 – Denial is a Losing Game

Selene crossed her arms, leaning back in her chair. "I don't do feelings, Clara."

Clara sighed, stirring her coffee absentmindedly. "You keep saying that like it's a rule of nature. But what if you just haven't met the right man until now?"

Selene scoffed. "Please. You sound like one of those hopeless romantics."

Clara smirked. "And you sound like someone who's terrified."

Selene stiffened. "I'm not scared of anything."

"Really?" Clara raised an eyebrow. "Because you've been spiraling ever since Damien kissed you."

Selene clenched her jaw. "It's just annoying, that's all. He thinks he knows me. He thinks he can—" she waved a hand in frustration, "—change me."

Clara's gaze softened. "And what if he's not trying to change you? What if he just sees you?"

Selene's throat went dry.

No. That wasn't possible.

Men didn't see her. They saw the version of her she allowed them to see—the seductress, the woman in control, the one who never let emotions interfere.

And yet, Damien looked at her like he saw everything.

Clara studied her, waiting. "Selene, be honest—what's scaring you more? The fact that he kissed you… or the fact that you felt something?"

Selene gripped the edge of the table. "I didn't feel anything."

Clara sighed. "Then why are you here, having this conversation?"

Silence.

Selena hated that she had no answer.

Chapter 29 – Cracks in the Mask

Selene exhaled sharply, gripping her coffee cup like it was the only thing grounding her.

Clara wasn't letting this go. And the worst part? She wasn't wrong.

Selene's voice was tight when she finally spoke. "Even if I did feel something, what difference does it make?"

Clara gave her a knowing look. "It makes all the difference."

Selene shook her head. "No, it doesn't. Feelings ruin things. They make you weak. They make you… vulnerable."

Clara frowned. "Who told you that?"

Selene looked away. "Experience."

Clara sighed, leaning forward. "Selene, not every man is the same. Not every situation is the same. Damien is not the guys you've played with before."

Selene let out a bitter laugh. "That's exactly the problem. If he were like the others, I wouldn't be here, having this conversation. I'd be done with him already."

Clara tilted her head. "And why aren't you?"

Selene swallowed hard. She didn't have an answer to that either.

Clara's expression softened. "Maybe because, deep down, you know Damien isn't just another fling. Maybe you're afraid that if you let yourself feel something real, you'll lose control."

Selene clenched her jaw. "Control is the only thing that keeps me from getting hurt."

Clara shook her head. "No, Selene. Control is just your excuse for never letting anyone in."

Selene went silent.

Because Clara was right. And that terrified her more than anything.

Chapter 30 – The Truth She Won't Admit

Selene glared at her coffee like it had personally betrayed her. "You make it sound so easy, Clara. Like all I have to do is snap my fingers and suddenly I'll be okay with… this."

Clara shrugged. "I didn't say it's easy. But I am saying you're making it harder than it needs to be."

Selene scoffed. "Because I refuse to let a man control me?"

Clara sighed. "Because you refuse to let yourself feel anything. And I get it, I do. You think if you don't feel, you can't get hurt. But Selene… you're already hurting."

Selene's grip on her cup tightened. "I'm fine."

Clara gave her a look. "Fine people don't spiral over a single kiss."

Selene opened her mouth, then shut it.

Clara leaned in. "You don't have to admit it to me. But at least admit it to yourself—Damien has gotten under your skin in a way no one else has."

Selene's stomach twisted. No.

That wasn't true. It couldn't be.

Damien was just another man. He wanted the same thing they all did. He was just… persistent.

That was all.

Right?

Clara studied her, her voice softer now. "What are you so afraid of?"

Selene's pulse pounded in her ears.

She wasn't afraid.

She wasn't.

But the words that left her lips betrayed her.

"…That he's different."

Clara smiled, but it wasn't teasing. It was knowing. "Maybe that's not such a bad thing."

Selene swallowed hard, looking away.

It was a very bad thing.

Because if Damien really was different 

Then she had no idea what to do next.

Chapter 31 – Running Again

Selene's breath felt too tight in her chest, her pulse pounding like a warning siren in her ears.

Clara was waiting, watching, expecting something.

Selene couldn't give it to her.

She shoved her chair back abruptly, the legs scraping against the floor. "I have to go."

Clara sighed but didn't look surprised. "Selene—"

"I can't do this." She grabbed her bag, barely able to meet Clara's eyes. "I just… I need to work."

Clara's voice was calm, but the weight of it followed Selene as she turned away. "You always run when things get real."

Selene hesitated for half a second—long enough to feel the truth in Clara's words—before forcing her feet to move.

She walked out without looking back, pretending 

it didn't hurt.

Chapter 32 – Nowhere to Hide

Selene buried herself in work the moment she got back to her office. Emails, reports, meetings—anything to keep her mind busy, to drown out Clara's words.

You always run when things get real.

She scowled, typing faster. She doesn't know what she's talking about.

Everything was under control.

At least, that's what she told herself.

Until she stepped into the elevator, her head still full of spreadsheets and deadlines—only to look up and see him.

Damien.

Leaning casually against the wall, arms crossed, watching her like he already knew exactly why she was tense.

Her stomach flipped.

"Selene," he greeted, his voice smooth. "Didn't expect to see you here."

She swallowed, her throat suddenly dry. "It's my office building," she said, too sharply. "Why wouldn't I be here?"

A slow, knowing smile tugged at his lips. "No reason."

The elevator doors slid shut.

And suddenly, she was

trapped.

Alone.

With him.

Chapter 33 – Cracks in the Armor

The elevator hummed softly as it descended, the space between them impossibly small.

Selene kept her gaze locked on the doors, her arms crossed tight over her chest. Just a few floors. Breathe. Ignore him.

But she felt him.

The quiet confidence. The heat of his presence. The way his eyes never left her.

"Running away again?" Damien's voice was low, teasing—but there was something deeper beneath it. Something unreadable.

She scoffed. "Not everything is about you."

"Isn't it?"

Her jaw clenched. "Get over yourself."

Damien chuckled, and the sound did something frustratingly dangerous to her pulse.

Then he moved.

Not much—just a step closer—but it was enough.

Selene inhaled sharply. The air felt too thick, her skin too aware.

He leaned in, his voice softer now. "Tell me something, Selene."

She swallowed. "What?"

"Why are you shaking?"

She froze.

Damn him.

Damn him for noticing, for peeling back the mask she so carefully maintained.

She forced herself to scoff, tilting her chin up. "I'm not."

He reached out, and before she could stop him, his fingers brushed against her wrist—where her pulse was racing.

"Liar."

Heat coiled in her stomach.

The doors slid open.

Selene bolted.

Chapter 34 – Nowhere to Run

Selene had barely caught her breath when fate decided to play another cruel trick on her.

An emergency meeting. A last-minute schedule change. And suddenly, she was sitting across from Damien in a glass-walled conference room, every exit feeling impossibly far away.

Tension coiled in the air like a brewing storm.

He didn't even have to say anything.

One glance—one knowing, infuriating glance—was enough to remind her of that damn elevator, of the way his fingers had grazed her wrist, the way her pulse had betrayed her.

She crossed her legs, straightened her back, and lifted her chin. Fine. If he wanted to play games, she'd play better.

But then the room went silent.

And she realized everyone was waiting—for her.

Damn it.

She had no idea what had just been said.

Slowly, she turned her head. And, of course, Damien was watching her.

Amused.

Too amused.

Her fingers curled into her lap.

"Selene?" someone prompted.

Before she could scramble for an answer, Damien leaned back lazily in his chair. "I'm sure she was just deep in thought."

A challenge.

She felt it in every syllable.

Selene forced a smirk. "Of course. Unlike some people, I actually think before I speak."

The team chuckled. But Damien?

Damien just smiled.

And somehow, that was worse.

Because that smile said, This is

n't over.

And God help her, she believed him.

Chapter 35 – Breaking Point

Selene stormed down the hallway, her heels clicking against the polished floor.

She needed air. Distance. Anything to escape the way Damien got under her skin.

But fate wasn't done with her yet.

A hand caught her wrist, spinning her around—too fast, too close.

And suddenly, she was against the wall, staring up at Damien.

Her breath hitched.

His grip wasn't tight, but it was firm. Grounding. His gaze burned into hers, frustration and something darker swirling beneath the surface.

"Enough," he said, voice low, rough.

Her heart pounded. "Let me go."

"No."

That single word sent heat spiraling through her, because damn him, he wasn't playing her game anymore. He wasn't teasing.

He was done.

And so was she.

Selene shoved at his chest, but he didn't move. "You think you can just—"

"Stop pretending."

Her breath caught.

Damien leaned in, his lips dangerously close to hers. "Tell me you don't feel this," he murmured. "Tell me you don't want it."

Her throat tightened.

She should lie.

She should push him away.

But she didn't.

Instead, she grabbed his tie, yanked him

closer—

And crashed her lips against his.

Chapter 36 – After the Fall

The kiss was fire and fury, a clash of frustration and desire.

But when it broke, silence settled between them—thick, heavy, dangerous.

Selene took a step back, her fingers still curled around Damien's tie, her breath ragged.

What had she done?

Damien didn't move. He just watched her, his expression unreadable, his chest rising and falling with the same uneven rhythm as hers.

For once, he didn't have a smug remark. No teasing. No challenge.

And that terrified her more than anything.

Because this wasn't a game anymore.

She let go of his tie as if it burned her. "This was a mistake."

Damien's jaw ticked. "Right."

She turned, ready to flee. To pretend none of this had happened.

But then his voice cut through the air, stopping her cold.

"Run all you want, Selene."

She clenched her fists.

He took a step closer. "But you and I both know—you'll come back."

Her heart pounded.

Because deep down, she feared he was right.

This is just the beginning .