Aurora should have said no.
Every rational cell in her body screamed at her not to go. To keep her distance. To keep the lines clear.
But here she was—standing at the grand entrance of a private estate on the cliffs of Mont Claire, overlooking the sea. The Raine Foundation Gala was the most elite annual event on the East Coast, and only the crème de la crème were invited. It was lavish, exclusive, and dripping in power.
And Dominic had personally invited her.
"Let's play nice for the media," he'd said on the phone. "Appear united. Trust me, it'll be good for the merger."
But the moment she stepped out of the limo in a midnight-blue gown that kissed every inch of her body like a lover, she knew this had nothing to do with business.
The photographers snapped like mad.
Dominic was waiting at the top of the marble staircase.
Black tux.
Hair slightly tousled like he'd run his hands through it moments before she arrived.
He looked at her the way a storm looks at the sea—like he knew he was about to wreck her.
"Stunning," he murmured as she reached him.
"You act like you didn't handpick this dress," she replied.
"I didn't," he said, offering his arm. "But I'm kicking myself for not thinking of it first."
As they entered the ballroom, all eyes turned to them.
They looked too good together. Dangerous, even.
"Smile," Dominic whispered against her ear. "We're the power couple everyone wants to hate."
---
The evening unfolded in a slow burn.
They moved like a well-oiled machine—meeting billionaires, dodging nosy questions, exchanging subtle touches that could be mistaken for polite affection but meant far more. Every glance was a dare. Every shared look a game of tension neither of them dared to name.
And then came the dancing.
Aurora usually avoided ballroom traditions, but Dominic pulled her onto the dance floor with the confidence of a man who knew she wouldn't refuse.
His hand settled low on her back, his other clasping her fingers as a slow waltz began.
"You're doing this on purpose," she murmured as they swayed, bodies too close.
"I'm doing what?"
"Turning this into something it's not."
He dipped his head slightly, lips brushing the shell of her ear. "You think this is pretend?"
She didn't answer.
Because it didn't feel like a performance anymore.
And she hated how much she liked it.
But then she saw her.
Tall. Elegant. Blonde. Dripping with diamonds.
Talia Grayson.
Dominic's former fiancée.
The one his family had once arranged for him to marry.
The one Aurora hadn't even known would be here.
Jealousy stabbed like ice in her gut.
"Talia," Dominic said as the woman approached, his voice clipped. "Didn't realize you were back in town."
"Just for the gala," she said, eyes flicking to Aurora. "You must be Aurora Valentine. The one who's… keeping Dominic busy."
Aurora gave her a slow, razor-sharp smile. "That's one way to put it."
Talia arched a brow. "Well, Dominic always did like difficult women."
"I'm not difficult," Aurora said smoothly. "I'm just not obedient."
The air crackled. Dominic cleared his throat.
"Talia, I believe the governor was looking for you."
Talia didn't move. "It's good to see you again, Dom. Don't let this merger distract you too much… from what matters."
She kissed his cheek lightly, smiled at Aurora with poison behind her teeth, and walked away.
Aurora stepped back. "Wow. That was fun."
Dominic looked irritated. "I didn't know she'd be here."
"Sure."
"I mean it."
"You've got a great collection of beautiful, polite exes," she snapped. "She fits the vibe."
He grabbed her hand, voice low and rough. "I don't want her, Aurora. I never did."
"Then why did you look so… torn?"
"Because you looked jealous," he shot back. "And it messed with my head."
She blinked, stunned by his honesty.
"You want the truth?" he asked. "I'm not good at this. I'm not the guy who falls. But you? You're under my skin in ways I can't explain. And when she walked up to us, all I wanted was to take you somewhere private and make sure you forgot she even existed."
Aurora's breath caught.
But before she could respond, a server approached.
"Miss Valentine? There's a call for you. Urgent."
She followed the man outside to the balcony, answering the phone with a frown.
Her lawyer.
"Aurora, we've got a problem. Your ex—the one from the leaked photos? He's threatening to sell a false story to the press. He wants money to stay quiet."
Her stomach dropped. "What kind of story?"
"One that claims you were sleeping with him during the merger negotiation."
Her vision went white-hot with fury.
"You're joking."
"I wish I was. He knows exactly what he's doing. Trying to paint you as a manipulative seductress who used romance to get the deal."
The call ended, and for the first time in years, Aurora felt vulnerable.
Not angry.
Not defensive.
Just… exposed.
Dominic found her on the balcony minutes later, his face tense.
"I heard. Adrian just told me."
She laughed bitterly. "Of course. The one time I try to play by the rules..."
Dominic stepped in front of her. "He's bluffing."
"He's smart. He'll make it look real enough. You'll start to doubt me—just like everyone else."
"I won't," Dominic said firmly.
"You already did once."
"I didn't know you then. I do now."
She looked up at him, searching his face.
"Why are you doing this? Defending me. Trusting me. What do you want, Dominic?"
He cupped her face, his thumb brushing her cheek.
"You."
Her walls threatened to fall again.
But she had built them too high to let them shatter in a single night.
So she said nothing.
Let the silence stretch.
And he didn't push.
He just stood with her in the moonlight, knowing he was getting closer.
And she hated how much she wanted him to keep trying.
---