Aurora Lane did not lose her cool.
She could dominate a boardroom with stilettos and sarcasm. She could tear apart a billion-dollar deal with a single smirk. But right now?
She was losing her mind.
Her phone had exploded the moment she stepped into her penthouse. Messages, headlines, emails—every tabloid, gossip blog, and financial publication was running with the same story:
"Power Couple or PR Stunt? Dominic Raine and Aurora Lane Share Fiery Kiss at Gala!"
"Enemies Turn Lovers?"
"Is the Merger More Than Business?"
She turned the screen off and tossed it onto the couch.
She could still feel his mouth on hers.
Dominic. Smooth, sharp, deliciously arrogant Dominic.
She paced the floor in her heels, her silk gown still clinging to her body. She hadn't even changed. Couldn't. Her head was spinning.
It wasn't the kiss.
It was that she had kissed him back.
For half a second, she let herself fall into it. Into him.
Her chest tightened. No. No.
This wasn't romance. It was warfare.
---
The next morning, Dominic walked into his office like nothing had happened.
He was in black again—tailored to perfection. His expression unreadable. Cold. Calculated. Exactly how he liked it.
Vincent stared at him like he'd grown two heads.
"You kissed her."
Dominic didn't look up from his desk. "Yes."
"In public."
"Yes."
"At Global Tech's gala."
"Yes."
Vincent dragged a hand over his face. "You've lost it."
"No. I've just changed the game."
"You do realize the media is spinning this like it's a royal engagement? Stock prices surged overnight."
"Good. Let them talk."
"What does Aurora think?"
Dominic's jaw clenched. "She'll come to understand."
---
She didn't.
When he arrived at the Lane-Raine boardroom for their scheduled strategy meeting, she was already there, sitting at the head of the table, a coffee in one hand and murder in her eyes.
"Let's talk about boundaries," she said before he could open his mouth.
Dominic sat. Calm. Patient. Deadly. "Aurora—"
"No," she cut him off. "You don't get to use my name like we're something. That kiss? That was a PR move without my consent. You made me look like your prop."
"It was damage control," he said coolly. "You were being hounded."
"And you thought shoving your tongue down my throat would help?!"
He leaned forward. "You didn't stop me."
Her lips parted.
Heat flared in her chest.
Then rage.
"I should've kneed you in the groin."
"But you didn't."
"I will next time."
They stared each other down.
Around the room, their executive teams fidgeted, pretending not to listen while hanging on every word.
Finally, Aurora stood. "Here's what's going to happen. We set rules."
Dominic's brow arched. "Rules?"
"Yes. For the merger. For us. Rule One: no public affection. None. Ever. No touching. No smirking. No lingering glances."
"I don't smirk."
She shot him a look.
He smirked.
She ignored it. "Rule Two: we don't discuss anything personal with the media. Ever. This is business. We are not a couple."
"Shame."
"Rule Three: if you ever try to kiss me again without permission, I'll bankrupt your ass."
Dominic leaned back in his chair, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Permission, huh?"
She narrowed her eyes. "Don't test me."
"I like these rules," he said smoothly. "You're sexy when you're angry."
She threw a pen at his head.
He dodged.
Everyone else looked like they were either about to die laughing or dial HR.
---
After the meeting, Dominic found her alone in the corridor. The walls were glass, and the sunlight cut sharp lines across her figure. She looked like power incarnate—sharp, dangerous, divine.
"I didn't do it to humiliate you," he said quietly.
Aurora didn't look at him. "You did it to win. I get it. That's what we both do, right?"
"You kissed me back."
"Momentary lapse in sanity."
He stepped closer, his voice dipping. "It wasn't just PR. You felt it. Same as I did."
She finally met his gaze. "That's the problem, Raine. You feel something, and you think it means something."
"And you don't?"
"I bury it. Then I win."
He gave a soft laugh. "You're impossible."
"And you're dangerous."
They were nose to nose now, neither willing to back down.
"Tell me to stop," he whispered. "Say it. And I will."
She hesitated.
Long enough for him to see her pulse race.
But she said it anyway.
"Stop."
He nodded, jaw tight. "Then I will."
And he walked away.
---
That night, alone in her penthouse, Aurora stood by her window, staring out at the glowing skyline.
She had won the battle.
But her lips still burned from the war.
---