pte

fingers were on the keys, but her thoughts were far away. The room was too silent, too motion

ot with the usual arrogant tone he used but with something close to concern. It had thrown her off, le

er, though it was like electricity that could be felt but not touched. Damon's admission about the budget had surprised her. It wasn't like him to back d

ughts. She picked it up, expecting to see Claire's name

t the off

s not a request, but a command, with no reason given. Typical Dam

h

came withi

now when y

to go. She should not pay attention to him, and let him play his games all by himself. But there was something in his voice, or maybe

. He was standing with his back to her, looking out of the window, the outline of his figure clear against the lumin

en he

you would

t resigned. She hated ho

lied, keeping her distance.

just stared at each other for a few seconds and then he shifted in his chair to face her and the silence w

he said, his tone strong

ld, calculating, and always in control. But now, standing before her, he looked...diff

me?" Ava inquired; she spoke so

n't waver. "

s. Damon had this ability to drag her into his universe, to make her experien

games," she snapped. "If y

and for the briefest of moments, the tough exterior he always had was not present. She saw

ed, trying to ignore the feeling of him be

black hair. He looked like a man who had not sle

lackwood Enterprises like a hawk eye its prey, hoping for the best chance to attack. There had been some talk around and

t?" Her voice was barely s

hrough proxy companies. Slowly, quietly. Before anyo

ed. "Why did you al

ook like two burning coals. "I have been handling this for mont

wasn't invincible. He was not the invincible millionaire that she used to believe he was.

e said softly, and the

changed. It was no longer about power or con

id, with his voice shaking as

pon her tongue. Damon looked her in the eye and for a moment she saw not the cold killer whose life h

elt that in her something had shifted in some way she wa

eply and then nodd

arkness of his penthouse. His lips pulled back over his teeth in a satisfied smile as he looked at the nu

begun, and Lucas had ev