Chapter 7 Seven**** Terms of Engagement

The knock on the door was firm, deliberate. Lily's pulse quickened as she glanced at the clock. She hadn't been expecting anyone. Peering through the peephole, she wasn't surprised to see Damien standing there, impeccably dressed as always, with an air of control that seemed to swallow the narrow hallway.

She hesitated, gripping the doorknob. Did she really want to let him in?

"Are you going to keep me waiting out here, or should I come back with a battering ram?" His voice, deep and smooth, carried through the door.

Rolling her eyes, she swung it open. "What do you want now?"

He stepped inside without waiting for an invitation, his eyes casually scanning her small apartment. It was a stark contrast to his sprawling estate, but he didn't seem to care. Instead, he handed her a sealed envelope, his expression unreadable.

"What's this?" she asked, narrowing her eyes at him.

"Terms," Damien said simply, walking past her to the living room as though he owned the place. He sat on her couch, looking entirely at ease, while she stood frozen near the door.

"Terms for what?" she asked, following him, though she already suspected the answer.

"For the marriage," he replied, his tone calm, almost businesslike.

Her jaw tightened as she tore open the envelope, skimming the contents. Her fingers clenched the paper as she read through each line.

Damien's Terms:

1. They would share the same bedroom and bed.

2. She would attend all formal events as his wife.

3. She would maintain appearances publicly and privately.

4. Physical intimacy was non-negotiable.

5. She would not interfere in his personal or business matters.

"This is ridiculous," she said, throwing the paper onto the coffee table. "You expect me to just sign off on this?"

Damien shrugged, leaning back with a maddeningly confident smirk. "I'm giving you the courtesy of seeing the terms before we finalize anything. If you have any adjustments, feel free to add them. But don't think for a second I'll agree to something that makes me look like a fool."

Her eyes blazed as she grabbed a pen from the table and began scrawling her own terms on the back of the page.

Lily's Terms:

1. Separate bedrooms and no physical intimacy.

2. She would not play the dutiful wife in public.

3. She retained her independence, including the freedom to work.

4. No interference in her personal life.

She slapped the paper back on the table. "There. My terms."

Damien picked up the paper, his smirk deepening as he read her additions. "No physical intimacy?" He set the paper down and looked at her, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Are you under the impression this is a business merger, not a marriage?"

"That's exactly what it is," she shot back. "Or have you forgotten that you orchestrated this whole thing?"

"You're feisty," he said, leaning forward. "But if you think you can dictate the rules of our marriage, you're sorely mistaken."

"Arrogant bastard," she muttered under her breath.

He laughed-a low, genuine sound that caught her off guard. For a moment, she found herself staring at him, the way his face lit up when he laughed.

His eyes narrowed slightly as he caught her gaze. "Do you have a crush on me, Lily?" he teased.

Her cheeks burned. "In your dreams," she snapped, turning away to grab her bag, needing a moment to collect herself.

Before she could move, she felt him behind her, his warmth enveloping her as his arms slid around her waist.

"Get your filthy hands off me," she said, her voice shaky but defiant.

"Are you sure you want that?" he murmured, his breath brushing against her ear.

Her breath hitched as his hands moved, sending an electric jolt through her. When his lips grazed her neck, she froze, torn between pulling away and leaning into him.

"You're mine, Lily," he whispered, his voice dark and possessive. His hands roamed, igniting sensations she couldn't control.

And just as suddenly as it started, he stepped back, leaving her dazed and breathless. "I'll see you later, my sweet," he said, his tone laced with mischief.

"Get out," she managed to say, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and something she couldn't name.

He chuckled, pausing at the door to glance back at her. "I'll be back for more," he said, his eyes lingering on her for a moment longer before leaving.

As the door clicked shut, Lily sank onto the couch, her heart racing. She hated herself for the way her body had responded to him, for the flicker of something she couldn't entirely push aside.

What had she just gotten herself into?