Chapter 16
Aria’s POV
My fingers trembled as I reached for the card, then pulled back. Was I really considering this? Trading myself like some commodity? The thought made my stomach churn. Yet the alternative—watching my fledgling company collapse, letting down my employees and myself—seemed equally unbearable.
My iPhone's vibrant ringtone cut through the silence, making me jump. Sophia's name flashed on the screen, and I answered immediately.
"Hey, Soph—"
"Aria," her voice came through broken by sobs. "I... I don't know what to do... how am I supposed to..."
My spine straightened instinctively. Sophia Kim, my rock since college, never cried. "Sophia, what's wrong? Take a breath and tell me."
"It's my mom," she managed between ragged breaths. "Carmen had a heart attack. They rushed her to the hospital an hour ago."
My heart sank. Carmen Kim was Sophia's only family since her father had passed away when Sophia was in high school. "Oh my God. Is she stable? What are the doctors saying?"
"They need to perform emergency bypass surgery," Sophia's voice cracked. "The doctor says it's critical. But Aria... the procedure costs over a hundred thousand dollars. Even with insurance covering part of it..."
I closed my eyes, understanding the implications immediately. When we'd launched Stellar Impressions, we'd both drained our savings. Sophia had been sending most of her salary to help her mother with medical bills even before this emergency.
"The hospital wants a deposit before they'll schedule the surgery," Sophia continued, her voice small and broken. "I don't have that kind of money, Aria. I don't know what to do."
I checked our company accounts in my head—we barely had enough to cover this month's payroll for our small team. My personal account wasn't much better after paying rent on both my Brooklyn apartment and contributing to the office space.
"Don't worry," I heard myself saying with far more confidence than I felt. "I'll figure something out. Your mom will get that surgery, I promise."
"But how—"
"Just stay with your mom. I'll handle it," I said firmly, already reaching for the key card with my free hand. "I'll call you back soon with details."
After hanging up, I stared at the plastic rectangle in my palm. Devon Kane's offer suddenly seemed less like a moral dilemma and more like the only lifeline available. Sophia needed me. Her mother needed me. My employees needed me.
With a deep sigh, I stood up, smoothed down my dress, and headed for the elevators. As I rode up to the penthouse level, I tried to rationalize my decision. This was just business—an exchange of services. I could handle with Devon Kane. I'd survived worse.
Standing outside suite 1507, I hesitated for just a moment before knocking firmly on the door. The sound echoed in the plush hallway, marking what felt like a point of no return.
When Devon opened the door, he was wearing a black bathrobe that hung open just enough to reveal his sculpted chest and abs. His dark hair was slightly tousled, as if he'd been running his fingers through it. Despite the late hour, his eyes were clear and alert—another reminder of his chronic insomnia.
"Ms. Harper," he said, his expression revealing nothing. "I see you've considered my offer."
His voice was smooth as aged whiskey, and I forced myself to meet his gaze directly. "I have conditions."
One corner of his mouth quirked up. "Of course you do."
"The funds need to be transferred today. Not after the contract is signed, not tomorrow. Today."
Devon leaned against the doorframe, studying me with those penetrating eyes. "That's unusually urgent."
"It's non-negotiable," I stated firmly.
"And your other conditions?" he prompted.
"One month exactly. Not a day more." I kept my voice steady despite the way my heart hammered against my ribs. "And complete confidentiality. No one can know about our... arrangement."
Devon considered me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Finally, he stepped aside to let me enter. "Done."
I brushed past him into the suite, catching his scent—sandalwood and something uniquely him—as I moved. The door clicked shut behind me with a finality that made my skin prickle.
Before I could turn around, Devon's hands were on my waist, pulling me back against his chest. His lips found the sensitive spot just below my ear, sending an involuntary shiver down my spine.
"Cold?" he murmured, his breath hot against my skin.
I tried to steady my breathing. "No."
Devon spun me around, pressing me against the wall. His eyes had darkened to storm clouds, intense and dangerous. Then his mouth was on mine, demanding and possessive. The kiss was nothing like the tentative exploration from our first night together—this was a man claiming what he believed was already his.
My body responded traitorously, melting into him even as my mind raced. His hands moved down to my hips, gripping firmly as he pressed his body against mine. I couldn't stop the small tremor that ran through me.
Devon pulled back slightly, his eyes narrowing as he studied my face. "Why are you shaking?" His voice had an edge to it. "You're not afraid of me, are you? It's not like this is our first time."
Heat rushed to my face. "I'm not afraid of you."
"Liar," he whispered, his mouth curving into a predatory smile. "Lying has consequences, Aria."
In one fluid motion, he lifted me, my legs instinctively wrapping around his waist as he carried me to the bedroom. The suite was massive, decorated in shades of gray and blue with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a spectacular nighttime view of Manhattan.
Devon laid me on the king-sized bed, looming over me with an expression that made my heart race. "You were very adamant downstairs that you wouldn't accept my proposal," he said, slowly removing his robe to reveal his perfectly sculpted body. "What changed your mind? You need the money that badly?"
I swallowed hard, deciding honesty was the best approach. "Yes... I need money to help pay my employees, to help my best friend pay for her mother's medical bills. So thank you for agreeing to the contract."
A soft chuckle escaped him as he joined me on the bed. "I agreed to a contract, yes," he said, his fingers tracing a path from my collarbone down between my breasts. "But that doesn't mean I accepted your terms as presented."
Confusion flickered across my face. "What?"
Devon leaned in close, his lips brushing against my ear. "Your proposal needs several revisions," he murmured, his hand sliding beneath my dress. "For instance, this clause here..." His fingers pressed against me, finding a spot that made me gasp. "Needs to be much more... detailed."