The 365 days wife

Ava didn't stop moving until she reached the safety of her own room. She pressed her back against the door, her chest rising and falling with each frantic breath. Her fingers clutched at the fabric of her nightdress, still warm from Damien's touch.

What the hell was that?

She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to push away the memory of his lips grazing her skin, the possessive grip of his hands, the husky taunt in his voice.

This wasn't supposed to happen.

Her contract with Damien was clear—no touching unless necessary. Yet he had completely disregarded that, acting as though the rules didn't apply to him.

But was she really surprised?

Damien Cole was a man who played by his own rules, bending the world to his will. He was arrogant, controlling, and infuriatingly unpredictable.

Ava exhaled sharply, forcing herself to move. She strode toward the bed and sat down, her mind still racing. If she wasn't careful, she would get caught up in his dangerous games.

She wouldn't let that happen.

She had to remind herself why she was here.

This marriage was nothing more than a transaction. It was a deal—a means to an end.

And yet…

The way Damien had looked at her tonight, the way he had touched her, made her question if she would truly be able to keep her emotions locked away.

A shiver ran down her spine.

No.

She couldn't afford to think like that.

Shaking off the lingering heat in her body, Ava stood up and grabbed a robe, tying it around her waist. She needed a distraction, something to clear her mind.

Food.

Yes, she'd get something from the kitchen.

With quiet steps, she exited her room and made her way downstairs. The mansion was eerily silent, the soft glow of the chandeliers casting elongated shadows along the hallways.

She walked carefully, her bare feet making no sound against the cool marble floors. The mansion was enormous, yet it always felt suffocating, as if Damien's presence was carved into every wall, lingering even when he wasn't around.

Reaching the kitchen, she flicked on the light and moved toward the fridge, searching for something quick to eat.

But just as she reached for a bottle of water, a deep voice cut through the silence.

"Couldn't sleep?"

Ava gasped, whirling around.

Damien.

He stood in the doorway, arms crossed over his chest, his piercing gaze locked onto her. He was still dressed in the same dark silk robe from earlier, but now it hung loosely around his frame, revealing a hint of his sculpted chest beneath.

But that wasn't what caught her attention.

Her breath hitched as her gaze involuntarily dropped lower.

The robe did little to conceal the thick, hard outline pressing against the fabric.

Her stomach twisted. Was he… aroused?

Heat rushed to her face, but she quickly looked away, gripping the water bottle tightly.

"I—" she hesitated before lifting her chin defiantly. "Not that it's any of your business, but yes. I was hungry."

Damien took a slow step forward, his expression unreadable. "You should be more careful wandering around the house at night."

She frowned. "Why? Are you saying I'm in danger in my own home?"

He smirked. "Not in the way you're thinking."

Ava's stomach tightened at his words. She hated how easily he could make her feel vulnerable with just a single sentence.

"I can take care of myself," she shot back, opening the fridge again to grab a small container of strawberries.

Damien watched her for a long moment before leaning against the counter. "Is that so?"

She ignored him, taking a bite of a strawberry.

"You ran away earlier," he pointed out.

Ava tensed but refused to look at him. "I walked away."

"Same thing."

She scoffed, setting the container down. "You're impossible."

He chuckled, his voice deep and smooth. "And yet, you keep coming back for more."

Ava turned to glare at him. "I didn't sneak into your room for fun, Damien. I just wanted to know what you were hiding."

His smirk widened. "And yet, you ended up beneath me."

Heat rushed to her cheeks. "That was an accident!"

"Was it?"

Ava inhaled sharply. He was playing with her, testing her.

She straightened, her voice firm. "Remember, I'm not in this contract to get intimate with you."

Damien's smirk deepened. "And you think I need you for that?"

Ava narrowed her eyes.

He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a whisper. "I can get many girls, Ava."

Something sharp twisted in her chest, but she ignored it. "Then go find one," she challenged.

His eyes darkened with amusement, but before she could react, he reached forward, his large hand cupping her breast through the thin fabric of her robe.

Ava gasped, her entire body stiffening. "What the hell are you doing?"

Damien's thumb grazed over her nipple, and she smacked his hand away, her breath uneven.

His gaze never wavered. "How much will it cost for your body tonight?"

Ava froze.

Her mind blanked for a second before rage surged through her veins.

Her palm connected with his cheek in an instant, the sharp sound echoing through the kitchen.

Her chest heaved as she glared at him. "I am not a whore, Damien!"

For the first time, he looked genuinely surprised, his jaw clenching. But then, instead of anger, a slow, taunting smile curled at his lips.

"You sure act like one sometimes," he murmured, rubbing his jaw.

Ava's blood boiled. "You're disgusting."

She turned on her heel, gripping her strawberries and storming out of the kitchen.

As she climbed the stairs, she could still feel his gaze on her back.

She hated how he made her feel.

But what terrified her even more…

Was how much she liked it.