Chapter 146: Chapter 148: The Morning After
Damien woke to sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows of his room and the warm weight of Aria curled against his chest.
Last night had been different, Just them. Making love slowly, Her soft gasps as he worshipped every inch of her body. The way she’d whispered his name like a prayer.
Afterward, they’d talked for hours. About the dinner. About his grandfather’s approval. About what "all in" actually meant for them.
And then they’d made love again, even slower this time, until they’d both been trembling and exhausted and completely sated.
Now, watching her sleep in the morning light, her hair spread across his pillow, her face peaceful and vulnerable, Damien felt something shift in his chest.
This was it. This was what he wanted for the rest of his life.
No more holding back. No more protecting himself from potential betrayal. Just this....her beside him every morning, in his bed, in his life, permanently.
His phone buzzed on the nightstand. A text from his grandfather: Lunch today. 1 PM. Old estate. We need to talk.
Damien replied: I’ll be there.
Aria stirred against him, her eyes fluttering open. When she saw him watching her, a slow smile spread across her face.
"Morning," she murmured, her voice still rough with sleep.
"Good morning." He brushed a strand of hair from her face. "Sleep well?"
"Mmm. Best sleep I’ve had in months." She stretched like a cat, the sheet slipping down to reveal her bare breasts, and Damien felt immediate heat pool in his groin.
"You’re trying to distract me," he said, his hand sliding down her side to her hip.
"Is it working?"
"Absolutely." He rolled them so she was beneath him, settling between her thighs. "I have lunch with my grandfather at one. Which gives us...." he glanced at the clock, "....four hours."
"Four hours for what?"
"For me to make love to my girlfriend properly. Multiple times. Until you can’t walk straight."
She laughed, the sound bright and joyful. "That’s quite an ambitious plan."
"I’m a very ambitious man." He kissed her slowly, deeply, taking his time. "And I have four hours to prove it."
Three hours later, they were both thoroughly satisfied and sitting in his kitchen, Aria wearing nothing but his shirt while he made them coffee.
"I could get used to this," she said, watching him make coffee with obvious appreciation.
"You should. This is the plan now. You. Me. Coffee every morning."
"Every morning?"
"Every morning. Which means...." he slid scrambled eggs onto her plate, "....you should probably move in officially."
Aria’s fork paused halfway to her mouth. "Are you serious?"
"Completely. You’re here most nights anyway. Your clothes are taking over my closet. Your toiletries are in my bathroom. We might as well make it official."
"That’s very romantic. ’Your stuff is here so you might as well stay.’"
Damien set down the pan, moved to where she sat at the counter, and turned her stool to face him.
"You want romantic? Fine. Aria Chen, I love you. I want to wake up next to you every morning and fall asleep with you every night. I want your things in my space because I want you in my life, permanently, completely, without reservation. Move in with me. Not because it’s convenient, but because I can’t imagine this place....can’t imagine my life.....without you in it anymore."
Her eyes were suspiciously bright. "That’s better."
"So?"
"Yes. Obviously yes. I love you too. And I want this....us....everything."
He kissed her, slow and deep, tasting coffee and promise and future.
His phone buzzed. Another text from Richard: Don’t be late. Important conversation.
"I have to go," Damien said reluctantly. "My grandfather wants to talk."
"About me?"
"Probably. Among other things." He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Take the day. Move your things from your apartment. Talk to your Mom, Tell her i am not stealing you away. I just need you here. Please make her understand.
Then come back and make yourself at home here. Completely at home."
"You trust me to redecorate your bachelor pad?"
"I trust you with everything that matters. A few throw pillows won’t kill me."
She laughed, kissed him again, and watched him dress with obvious appreciation.
"See you tonight?" she asked.
"See you tonight. And Aria? I meant what I said. All in."
"All in," she echoed, smiling.
*****
The old estate was in the Hamptons....a sprawling property that had been in the Blackwood family for three generations. Damien had grown up here after his parents died, and returning always brought a complicated mix of nostalgia and pain.
His grandfather was waiting in the study, expensive scotch already poured despite it being only one in the afternoon.
"Damien." Richard embraced him warmly. "Sit. We have much to discuss."
They settled into leather chairs by the fireplace, and for a moment, neither spoke.
"She’s living with you now," Richard said finally. Not a question.
"I asked her this morning. She said yes."
"Good. Moving fast, but good. No point dragging things out when you know what you want." Richard sipped his scotch. "I wanted to talk to you about several things. Aria. The business. And Harold Ashford."
"I’m listening."
"First....Aria. She’s extraordinary, Damien. Exactly what I hoped you’d find. Strong, honest, intelligent. She reminds me so much of your grandmother that it’s almost painful."
"I know. I see it too."
"But she’s also vulnerable in ways you need to understand. Her background, her past, the way she came into your life....these are all weaknesses that people like Harold will exploit. They’ll dig into her history, look for scandals, anything they can use to undermine her position."
"I won’t let them."
"I know you won’t. But you need to be prepared for what’s coming. The whispers. The social exclusion. The way certain doors will close because she’s with you." Richard leaned forward. "And you need to decide now....before it gets worse....if you’re willing to pay that price."
"There’s no price too high. She’s worth everything."
"Good answer. But have you told her about the potential costs? About what being with you might mean for her? The scrutiny, the judgment, the constant pressure to be perfect?"
Damien was quiet for a moment. "We’ve talked about it. But maybe not enough."
"Then talk more. Make sure she understands what she’s signing up for. Because once you make this relationship public....once you integrate her fully into your world.....there’s no going back. She’ll be a target. And you need to make sure she’s prepared for that."
"I’ll talk to her."
"Good. Now.....the business." Richard’s expression became more serious. "I’ve been reviewing the quarterly reports. The expansion into Asian markets is progressing well. The acquisition of Chen Technologies is complete. You’ve done excellent work."
"Thank you."
"But there are concerns. Several board members have expressed worry about your relationship with Aria affecting your judgment. About potential conflicts of interest. About the optics of the CEO dating his personal assistant."
Damien’s jaw clenched. "My personal life doesn’t affect my professional judgment."
"I know that. You know that. But perception matters, especially when we’re talking about billion-dollar decisions and shareholder confidence." Richard paused. "I’m not saying end the relationship. I’m saying you need to manage the optics carefully. Perhaps give Aria a different role. Something that doesn’t look like you’re sleeping with your subordinate."
"She’s brilliant. She could do any job in the company."
"Then give her one that showcases that brilliance. Make her Chief Innovation Officer. Or head of the new tech division. Something that makes it clear she’s there because of her merit, not because of who she’s sleeping with."
Damien nodded slowly. It made sense. "I’ll talk to her about it."
"Do that. Now.....Harold Ashford." Richard’s expression darkened. "That man is a snake, Damien. He always has been. And after what he tried to pull at that dinner party, I don’t trust him at all."
"Neither do I."
"I know you’ve been holding back in dealing with him and Victoria. Out of respect for the relationship between our families. The business connections. The social ties." Richard’s eyes were hard. "Stop."
"Grandfather...."
"I mean it. Harold orchestrated that entire dinner to humiliate Aria. To make her look unsuitable. To pressure you into ending the relationship. And when that didn’t work, do you really think he’s going to give up?"
"No."
"Of course not. He’s going to dig deeper. Look for dirt. Try to destroy her reputation or yours or both. And you need to be prepared to fight back. Ruthlessly."
"I won’t hesitate to protect her."
"Good. Because I know what you’re capable of, Damien. I raised you. I taught you how to be ruthless when necessary. How to destroy enemies before they destroy you. And I’m telling you now....Harold Ashford is an enemy. Victoria is an enemy. And you need to treat them accordingly."
"The business relationships...."
"Can survive. We don’t need Ashford Capital. We’re strong enough to stand on our own. And if Harold wants to make this a war, then we’ll give him one. But on our terms, not his."
Damien felt something dark and satisfied settle in his chest. Permission. His grandfather was giving him permission to stop playing nice.
"What about the social implications? The fallout?"
"Let there be fallout. The people who matter.....the people whose opinions actually count.....will respect strength. And the ones who don’t? Fuck them. They were never really on our side anyway."
Richard refilled their glasses, his expression thoughtful.
"Your father was too soft. Too willing to compromise, to play nice, to avoid conflict. And it destroyed him. Loving your mother broke him when she died because he’d made her his entire world and had no strength left when she was gone."
"I’m not my father."
"No. You’re stronger. Harder. More like me. Which is both good and dangerous." Richard met his eyes. "You love Aria. I can see that. But don’t make her your only source of strength. Don’t lose yourself in her the way your father lost himself in your mother. Love her, protect her, build a life with her.....but maintain your own foundation. Your own power. Your own identity."
"I understand."
"Do you? Because I’ve watched you these past months. Watched you obsess over her. Punish yourself for wanting her. Struggle with trust issues that are paralyzing you both. And I’m telling you now....let it go. Either forgive her completely or walk away. But stop torturing both of you with this halfway commitment."
"I’m all in now. I told her last night."
"Good. Then act like it. Give her a real position in the company. Move her into your home officially. Make it clear to everyone that she’s not temporary. That she’s permanent. That anyone who comes after her comes after you."
"And Harold?"
"Handle him. However you see fit. Just make sure when you do, it’s decisive. Permanent. I don’t want this dragging on for years."
Damien felt a weight lift from his shoulders. "Thank you."
"Don’t thank me. Just don’t let them hurt her. Because if they do, if they manage to drive her away or destroy her.....you’ll never forgive yourself. And I’ll have to watch you turn into your father. And I can’t survive that twice."
The vulnerability in his grandfather’s voice hit Damien hard.
"I won’t let that happen."
"See that you don’t." Richard stood, moved to the window. "One more thing. Aria’s mother....Mei Chen. I want to meet her."
"You do?"
"If Aria is going to be part of this family, then her family becomes our family. I want to know the woman who raised such an extraordinary daughter. Want to understand where Aria comes from, what shaped her." He glanced back at Damien. "And I want Mei to know that her daughter is safe with us. Protected. Valued. That we’re not just using her."
"I’ll arrange it."
"Good. Now get out of here. Go home to your girlfriend.
******
As Damien drove back to the city, his mind raced with plans. A new position for Aria that showcased her abilities. A formal introduction of Mei to the family. And most importantly....dealing with Harold and Victoria.
If they wanted a war, he’d give them one.
And he’d make damn sure they regretted ever targeting the woman he loved.
