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Chapter 13 Business and
Pleasure
By the time Friday evening rolled around, Ariana Cole found herself reveling in the quiet chaos she had unleashed.
Liam’s reputation was starting to crack, Sienna was second–guessing everything, and Ariana?
She was completely unbothered.
For the first time in a while, she didn’t have to fake a smile or pretend she wasn’t plotting the downfall of two people who had taken her for granted.
She poured herself a glass of wine, letting the warmth settle in her chest as she scrolled through her phone. Just as she was about to put it down, a message popped up.
Damian Blackwood: You free tomorrow?
A slow smirk curled on her lips as she typed back.
Ariana: Depends. Are you finally taking me on a proper date, Mr. Blackwood?
His reply was almost immediate.
Damian: That depends. Are you finally admitting you want one?
Ariana laughed, shaking her head. Cocky bastard.
Ariana: Pick me up at noon. Surprise me.
Damian: Wear something comfortable. And maybe a little dangerous.
Ariana arched a brow. Dangerous?
Now she was intrigued.
At exactly noon, Damian pulled up in a sleek black motorcycle.
Ariana stared from her doorstep, arms crossed, one perfectly sculpted brow raised.
“You ride?” she asked, lips twitching.
Damian smirked, pulling off his helmet. “I do a lot of things, sweetheart.”
She rolled her eyes but couldn’t ignore the way the sight of him in a fitted leather jacket did things to her
insides.
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Chapter 19 Business and Pleeers
Batman held out a helmet “Hop on”
Ariana hesitated for a split second before deciding screw it
she took the helmet, straddled the bike behind him, and wrapped her arms around his torso
The engine rosted to life, and just like that, they were off
Ariana ween’t sure what was more thrilling the speed or the man she was pressed aga
Probably both
821
Their first destination was a bustling open–air market, filled with the scent of freshly baked bread, spiced meats,
and exotic flowers.
Ariana slid off the bike, adjusting her hair as Damian watched her with amusement.
“You look good on my bike,” he said casually,
Ariana smirked. “I look good on anything”
Damian chuckled, leading her through the crowd, “Come on. I’m starving”
They wandered through the stalls, stopping to sample handmade chocolates, roasted almonds, and freshly squeezed lemonade,
At one point, Ariana picked up a piece of street art–a beautiful sketch of a woman looking over her shoulder, her expression unreadable.
“It reminds me of you,” Damian murmured, watching her.
Ariana raised a brow. “Because she looks mysterious?”
“Because she looks like she’s about to ruin someone’s life,” he said, smirking
Ariana laughed, nudging him playfully.
“Buy it for me,” she teased.
Damian handed the vendor a hundred–dollar bill without hesitation.
Ariana’s lips parted. “That was four dollars.”
Damian shrugged. “Consider the rest a tip for good taste.”
Ariana shook her head, tucking the sketch under her arm.
Damn him for being charming.
“Tell me, Ariana,” Damian mused as they walked past a neon–lit arcade. “Are you any good at games?”
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Chapter 13 Business and Pleasure
Ariana smirked. “Depends on the game.”
He stepped closer, lowering his voice. “What about the kind where the loser buys dinner?”
Ariana arched a brow. “I never lose.”
“We’ll see.”
They entered the arcade, and before she knew it, it was war,
Damian crushed her in racing games, but she absolutely destroyed him in air hockey.
“You cheated,” he accused as she scored yet another point.
Ariana tossed her hair over her shoulder. “That’s loser talk, Blackwood.”
Damian leaned in, his eyes dark. “We’ll see who the real loser is when I take you to the shooting game.”
Ariana narrowed her eyes. “You think you can beat me at shooting?”
“Sweetheart, I don’t think. I know.”
Fifteen minutes later, Ariana was standing in front of the scoreboard, glaring at the results.
Damian–750 points.
Ariana–749 points.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” she muttered.
Damian smirked, oh so smug. “Looks like dinner’s on you.”
Ariana huffed. “Fine. But I’m picking the place.”
They ended up at a cozy rooftop restaurant, where they sat near the edge, the city lights glowing beneath them.
Ariana sipped her wine, watching as Damian rolled up his sleeves, exposing strong forearms.
“Are you trying to seduce me?” she asked, raising a brow.
Damian smirked. “Is it working?”
Ariana pretended to consider. “Maybe a little.”
He chuckled, swirling his drink. “Tell me something, Ariana. What would you be doing tonight if I hadn’t kidnapped you?”
Ariana exhaled. “Honestly? Probably reveling in Liam’s misery.”
Damian shook his head, amused. “You’re terrifying.”
Ariana smirked. “And yet, here you are.”
Damian’s gaze darkened slightly. “Here I am.”
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For a moment, neither of them spoke. The air shifted, thickening with something neither of them wanted to
name yet.
Then Damian leaned forward, his voice dropping.
“Tell me, Ariana,” he murmured. “Do you always let strange men take you on motorcycle rides and buy you art?”
Ariana’s lips parted. “No.”
His smirk widened. “Good.”
She swallowed, feeling a very dangerous pull.
“You’re playing with fire, Damian.”
His gray eyes burned. “Sweetheart, I am the fire.”
Ariana’s pulse skipped.
She needed to get out of here before she did something reckless–like drag him across the table and kiss him
senseless.
She pushed her chair back. “Let’s go.”
Damian drove her home, the ride back quieter, more charged.
By the time they reached her penthouse, Ariana was buzzing.
She came down from the bike, and flipping her hair as she removed her helmet she turned to him. “Thanks for today.”
Damian smirked. “So, you admit
you
had fun?”
Ariana exhaled dramatically. “I’ll allow it.”
He chuckled. “Goodnight, little troublemaker.”
She chuckled too and handed the Helmet to him.
Ariana hesitated for a fraction of a second–just long enough for her pulse to race.
Then, before she could talk herself out of it, she leaned forward and pressed a quick peck to his lips.
She pulled back immediately, shocked at herself.
Damian froze.
For a second, there was nothing but silence.
Then, his eyes darkened, his jaw tightening.
“Ariana,” he murmured, low, dangerous.
But Ariana–completely flustered–simply spun on her heel and ran inside, locking the door behind her.
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Her heart raced.
Her fingers brushed her lips.
What the hell did I just do?
Outside, Damian stood still, hands clenched at his sides.
His head tilted slightly, his tongue flicking against the corner of his mouth as he smirked to himself.
“Interesting,” he muttered, before getting back on the bike.
Oh, this was going to be fun, he thought and raced off.
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