The next day felt like a strange kind of déjà vu. Aurora stood in front of her full-length mirror, staring at her reflection. A crisp navy dress clung to her curves, her long hair falling in soft waves over her shoulders. Business attire. Not a hint of anything personal. Not a hint of Dominic.
But she couldn't shake the feeling that everything was changing.
Today, they were scheduled for a high-stakes international business event—one that could solidify the merger between Lane-Raine Enterprises and the global partner they were courting. It would require their full attention, and their chemistry needed to be… carefully managed. They both knew how dangerous any slip could be.
A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts.
"Ready?" Dominic's voice filtered through, smooth as ever.
"Ready as I'll ever be," she replied, steeling herself.
When she opened the door, Dominic stood there, looking like he'd stepped out of a magazine. His tailored black suit was immaculate, a silver tie adding an edge to his usual cold, distant air. He looked at her for a moment, his gaze intense.
"You're late," she said, frowning.
"I had an important phone call," he replied casually. But there was something in his eyes. Something unreadable. "Shall we?"
Aurora nodded, adjusting her jacket as she stepped out into the hallway. It wasn't their first business trip together, but something about this felt different. They were no longer just two rivals. No, now there were rumors, speculation, and a powerful, undeniable tension between them. The kiss at the gala had thrown everything into sharp focus.
---
The flight was long, the kind that stretched on until it felt like time itself was warped. In first class, they sat across from each other, the divide between them almost palpable. Aurora flipped through her notes, pretending not to notice the way Dominic kept glancing at her over the rim of his whiskey glass.
"Stop looking at me," she finally muttered, not looking up from her documents.
"I'm not," he replied smoothly, his voice like honey.
Her eyes flicked up to meet his.
"Don't lie," she said, raising an eyebrow. "You're just waiting for me to say something you can use against me."
"No," he said softly, setting his glass down. "I'm waiting for you to admit the truth."
"The truth?" She let out a short laugh. "What truth?"
"That you can't resist me."
The words hung in the air between them, the silence thick with unspoken tension.
Aurora met his gaze, her heartbeat quickening despite herself. "That's a dangerous assumption."
Dominic leaned forward, his eyes flickering with something intense, something predatory. "Dangerous, yes. But true."
She felt her skin prickle, that mix of annoyance and something much darker. "Don't flatter yourself, Raine."
He smiled, and for a split second, it wasn't the cold, calculating smile she was used to. There was something more there—something dangerous. "If you say so. But we both know you feel it. Just as much as I do."
---
They arrived at the five-star hotel in London, where the conference would be held. The city was alive, a blur of lights and noise that made Aurora's pulse race in an entirely different way.
In their separate suites, they prepped for the evening event. She was getting ready when she felt that all-too-familiar sensation again. That feeling that he was there. Watching.
When she turned, Dominic was standing in her doorway, his silhouette dark against the light from the hall.
"I thought I told you to knock," she said, her voice tight.
He stepped into the room without asking, a quiet dominance in his every movement. "I thought I'd just save us both the trouble."
Aurora crossed her arms over her chest. "What do you want, Raine?"
"Don't play coy," he said smoothly. "I know what this is. What we are."
Her pulse quickened. "And what is that?"
"A game. A dance. You and me, testing each other's limits."
"And you think you can control me?"
"Control?" He smiled darkly. "Not control. Win."
"Isn't that your thing?" she shot back. "Always winning."
"Yes. And you're my favorite kind of competition."
The words hung in the air, thick with tension.
"Do you want to play, Aurora?" he asked, his voice lowering, the challenge clear. "You know you do."
Her heart skipped a beat. But she held her ground. "I don't play games with people like you."
He took a step forward. "Then why do you keep looking at me like I'm the one thing you can't resist?"
She felt it again—the pull between them, stronger now. More dangerous.
"I'm not afraid of you, Dominic."
He was standing too close now, his presence overwhelming. He reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers grazing her skin. The touch sent a shiver down her spine.
"I think you're terrified," he whispered. "Terrified of what might happen if we stop fighting."
Aurora inhaled sharply, suddenly aware of how close they were. Her pulse was racing, her body betraying her, but her mind fought to stay sharp. To stay in control.
"I'm not afraid of you," she repeated, her voice steadier this time.
He smiled, but it was a smile that made her want to pull away—and pull him closer all at once. "Then why do I feel like I'm the only one who can make you feel?"
---
The gala that evening was even more opulent than she had anticipated—grandiose, extravagant, a display of wealth and power. They were the power couple of the hour, smiling for photos, talking to sponsors, and trying not to look like they were about to set the room on fire.
And yet, with every glance, every touch, it felt like the world was shrinking around them. Every time Dominic's hand brushed hers, it sent a spark through her skin. Every time their eyes met, the world disappeared, and only he remained.
By the time they stood in front of the crowd for the keynote speech, the tension between them was unbearable. But they both played their roles—cool, composed, in control.
When it was over, Dominic's hand slid lightly onto her lower back as they made their way through the crowd.
"You did well," he murmured.
"Don't get used to it," she replied coolly.
"I won't," he said softly, his lips brushing against her ear. "But I will make sure you don't forget me."
And she was almost sure that she wouldn't.
---