Chapter 3 Terms and Temptation

Zara stood in front of the mirror, staring at her reflection like she was watching someone else.

The dress clung to her body like second skin - black satin, backless, and dipped low in the front. She had never worn anything like it. The diamond earrings sparkled like they knew they didn't belong on someone like her.

"Elise, this is too much," she said, turning awkwardly. "People will know I don't belong."

Elise raised an eyebrow as she zipped the last part of the dress. "That's the point. You're not supposed to belong. You're supposed to make them wonder."

Zara blinked. "Is that what Damien told you to say?"

"No," Elise said with a tight smile. "That's what I learned working for him."

The gala was held in a ballroom that looked like something out of a royal fantasy. Crystal chandeliers bathed the room in golden light. Waiters glided past carrying champagne. And everyone - everyone - turned when Damien Blackwood walked in with Zara on his arm.

He didn't say much.

Just leaned toward her as the cameras flashed and whispered, "Smile like you're in love."

She forced a smile, her heart pounding so loud she could barely hear the music.

They moved through the crowd with the kind of elegance Zara had only seen in movies. And though Damien hadn't touched her more than to guide her with his hand at her waist, there was a tension between them - tight, invisible, electric.

"Who's that with Damien?" she heard someone whisper.

"His new one," another woman replied, clearly annoyed. "No one knows her name."

"That means it's serious."

As the night wore on, Damien played his part perfectly. Charming. Distant. Powerful. But when no one was looking, his eyes would slide back to Zara.

She felt it every time.

Like she was standing too close to a fire.

Later, in the car on the way back to the mansion, he finally spoke.

"You handled yourself well."

"Thanks," she said. "You don't look disappointed."

"I'm not."

There was a pause.

"Do you enjoy being stared at?" he asked suddenly.

She looked at him. "No. I'm not used to it."

"Get used to it," he said. "They're not staring because they admire you. They're staring because they want to tear you apart."

Zara's stomach tightened. "Why would they want to do that?"

"Because they can't understand why someone like me would choose someone like you."

Ouch.

But strangely, his tone wasn't cruel - just honest.

She nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. "Well, lucky for them, this is just temporary."

Damien turned to look at her fully. "Is it?"

Zara blinked. "Isn't it?"

He didn't answer.

Just looked at her like he was seeing through her, then leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes.

Back at the mansion, Zara stepped out of the car before he did. The driver opened the door for her, and the cool air bit at her bare shoulders.

Damien stayed behind, phone already in hand, barking something in a low voice to someone on the other end of the call.

Zara headed inside alone.

The silence in the mansion was louder than the gala had been. She climbed the stairs to her room, kicked off the expensive heels, and sank onto the bed.

But she didn't sleep.

She lay there, staring at the ceiling, heart tangled in something she couldn't explain.

He hadn't touched her.

He hadn't kissed her.

But he was already under her skin.