Chapter 5 Dangerous Games

Calla couldn't stop the adrenaline rush that coursed through her veins as she left Damien's office that night. Her skin still tingled where his touch had grazed her jaw, and she had to admit to herself, albeit reluctantly, that the pull between them was undeniable. But the more she fought it, the stronger it became. And she hated that.

She had always been in control of her emotions-always the one pulling the strings in every interaction. Yet with Damien Rourke, she felt like she was dancing to a rhythm she couldn't hear and had no hope of mastering.

But she was no rookie. Calla Rose knew how to play the game. She wasn't about to let a billionaire with too much power and too much charm get the best of her.

The next morning, as she walked into the gleaming marble lobby of Rourke Enterprises, Calla squared her shoulders. Today, she was going to show Damien that she could play just as dirty as he could.

When she entered Damien's office, she was met with the same cool, calculating stare. He was already seated behind his massive mahogany desk, looking every bit the ruthless CEO he was. His usual sharp suit, the crisp lines of his white shirt, the expensive watch on his wrist-it all screamed power. And the way he looked at her made her feel as though she was standing on the edge of a cliff, daring her to jump.

"Good morning, Miss Rose," Damien said, his voice smooth, devoid of the tension that had filled the room the night before.

"Good morning, Mr. Rourke," she replied, her voice steady but with an edge. "I trust your evening was as exciting as mine."

Damien's lips twitched, the corner of his mouth lifting in that infuriating, sexy smile of his. "I'm sure it was," he said, his tone laced with something darker, something that sent a shiver down her spine. "But today is all about work, Calla. No distractions."

She walked over to his desk, leaning in just slightly, so close that she could feel the heat of his body radiating toward her. "I'm sure I won't be a distraction," she said, her voice low and teasing, "but I'm not here for idle chit-chat. What's the first task?"

Damien studied her for a moment, as though deciding whether to tell her. Finally, he handed her a stack of files. "These are the reports you'll need to review. After that, I want you to go through our client database. I'm looking for patterns in the way people are responding to our recent campaign. Find me something new, something... valuable."

Calla raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a playful smirk. "You've got it all figured out, don't you?"

Damien met her gaze head-on, unflinching. "I always do."

Calla took the files from him, deliberately brushing her fingers against his as she did. The touch sent an electric jolt through her, and she couldn't help but notice the slight tightening of his jaw.

She turned and made her way to her desk, throwing a glance over her shoulder. "I'll be sure to impress you, Damien. Don't worry."

His response was quick, and it hit her like a slap in the face. "I don't need you to impress me. I need you to make me money."

Calla's chest tightened at the sudden shift in his tone. But she refused to back down. She wasn't intimidated. No matter how much he made her feel like she was playing with fire.

Hours passed as Calla poured over the files Damien had given her. She worked quickly, her sharp mind picking up on the smallest details that others might overlook. She was damn good at her job, and if Damien thought she was just some distraction, he was going to learn the hard way that she was more than capable of handling herself.

She was so absorbed in her work that she didn't hear the door open, but when she looked up, there he was. Damien stood in the doorway of her office, watching her with a look in his eyes that sent a jolt of heat straight to her core.

"Impressive," he said, his tone dark and full of something she couldn't quite place.

Calla stood up, her posture rigid as she walked toward him, her heels clicking on the floor with every step. "I told you I'd get it done."

Damien didn't move, his gaze locked on her as if he were studying her every move. "You've done more than that. But now... let's see if you can handle the next part of the job."

Calla raised an eyebrow. "And what's that?"

Damien's lips quirked, and for a brief moment, his eyes flashed with something primal. "A little test of your loyalty. You're going to attend a private event with me tonight. There will be important clients there. Some of them... aren't the kind of people you usually deal with. I need to see how well you can handle yourself."

Her pulse quickened. A private event? With Damien? Surrounded by wealthy clients and potential power players?

She was intrigued-and maybe a little bit excited.

"And if I fail?" she asked, her voice cool, though the challenge was clear in her eyes.

Damien's smile was wicked. "If you fail, you're out. No more job. No more playing in my world."

It was a risk. But Calla wasn't one to back down. "Then I guess I'll just have to succeed."

Damien's eyes darkened, and for a moment, she saw something flicker in them-something raw and hungry. "You're just what I need, Calla Rose," he murmured. "Don't disappoint me."