Chapter 187
Aria's POV
I widened my eyes, feeling the heat rush to my cheeks as Devon's words hung in the air between us. "Just here?" His question was both tempting and terrifying.
"No," I whispered, gently pushing against his chest. "Not here." My voice was barely audible, a rejection that somehow sounded like a plea. Devon's eyes darkened slightly, but the corner of his mouth curved into that dangerous half-smile I was beginning to know too well.
"Then a kiss will have to do," he murmured, not waiting for my response before capturing my lips again.
This kiss was different—more demanding, more consuming. His hands moved to my waist, pulling me closer until there was no space left between us. Despite my earlier protest, my hands found their way to his shoulders, no longer pushing away but drawing him closer. I could feel his heart beating against mine, rapid and strong. When he finally broke the kiss, his gray eyes had turned almost black in the moonlight, a vulnerability I'd never seen before flickering briefly behind his usual coldness.
His fingertips traced my collarbone, sending shivers down my spine. I noticed the slight tremble in his touch, contrasting with his confident words.
"Meet me at the parking lot when this is over," he said, his voice low and commanding, yet there was something else—a need, perhaps even uncertainty. Then he straightened his jacket and walked away, disappearing into the shadows as if nothing had happened, but the rigidness in his shoulders told a different story.
I remained frozen for several minutes, my fingertips touching my lips in disbelief. My breath came in short, uneven gasps.
"What am I doing?" I whispered to the empty space around me. The voice in my head was screaming, condemning my recklessness. This was supposed to be a business arrangement—simple, clean, transactional. Now it felt dangerously complex.
Devon Kane was arguably Manhattan's most dangerous man, and I was being pulled into his orbit like a helpless satellite. "He's completely insane," I muttered to myself, "and I must be too." But even as I said the words, I knew I was lying to myself. There was something real developing between us, something that terrified me more than his reputation ever could.
Fifteen minutes later, after collecting myself in the ladies' room and reapplying my lipstick, I returned to the ballroom. The chatter and music washed over me, but I barely registered any of it. My eyes scanned the crowd, searching for Devon's tall figure, until I spotted him across the room.
Standing beside him, dressed in a custom Chanel gown that probably cost more than my monthly rent, was Mandy Stevens. Her golden hair was styled in perfect waves, her makeup flawless. She looked like she belonged next to him, a fact that made my stomach tighten uncomfortably. I felt suddenly underdressed despite my carefully chosen outfit.
Mandy's sharp eyes noticed me immediately, and her gaze drifted to the faint red marks on my neck that I hadn't completely concealed. Her expression shifted from polite interest to calculated assessment, lips tightening ever so slightly.
"Aria Harper," she greeted with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "I didn't see you earlier at the gala. Where have you been hiding?" Her gaze flickered between Devon and me, searching for confirmation of her suspicions.
"I just needed to use the restroom," I lied smoothly, despite the nervous flutter in my chest. "I haven't seen Devon until now."
Devon raised an eyebrow at my lie but said nothing. I noticed his jaw clench slightly, the only indication that my words had affected him. The ghost of a smile played on his lips, private and knowing.
Mandy clearly didn't believe me. She looped her arm through Devon's possessively, her voice honey-sweet. "Eleanor specifically asked me to accompany Devon tonight. We make quite the perfect pair, don't you think?"
Devon's expression didn't change, but I noticed his shoulders tense slightly. His eyes remained fixed on me, communicating something I couldn't quite decipher. Was it an apology? A warning? Or something else entirely?
Mandy turned back to me, her smile sharpening. "Perhaps we could chat privately sometime, Aria. I hear your company's been looking for investors?" The threat beneath her words was thinly veiled.
Just as I was scrambling for a response, Anna appeared at my side, professional as always. "Ms. Harper, there's an urgent call for you," she said, her eyes silently communicating a rescue mission. I nodded gratefully, feeling a rush of relief.
"You'll have to excuse me," I said to Mandy and Devon, managing a graceful exit. As I turned, I caught Devon's gaze once more. For just a moment, his mask slipped, revealing an intensity that made my breath catch.
Once we were safely out of earshot, Anna leaned in. "Mandy was talking about you in the ladies' room. Saying you've been securing contracts through... unconventional means."
I took a deep breath, complex emotions flickering across my face. The sting of the accusation was sharp, but not as sharp as the pang I felt at seeing Devon and Mandy together. "Thank you, Anna," I said sincerely.
Anna reminded me that Calvin Reed had just been hospitalized due to his injuries, and suggested I go see him to ensure our negotiations could continue. I hesitated, thinking of Devon waiting in the parking lot. The sensible choice was clear—business before... whatever this was with Devon.
"No," I found myself saying. "I have something more important to handle." My fingers unconsciously touched the marks on my neck, and my expression hardened with resolve.
The parking garage beneath the hotel was eerily quiet at this hour. I arrived fifteen minutes early, positioning myself behind a concrete pillar with a clear view of the entrance. My heart raced with anticipation, though I tried to convince myself it was merely strategic planning. I needed to see Devon before he saw me—to have just one moment when I could observe him unguarded.
The smooth purr of an engine echoed through the garage as a sleek black Maybach glided in, parking in a reserved space. Devon stepped out, his tall figure commanding attention even in the dim lighting. He adjusted his cufflinks and turned toward the exit. Even in profile, his jawline looked sharp enough to cut glass, his posture rigid with the power he carried so effortlessly.
"Devon, wait!" A woman's voice bounced off the concrete walls.