One thing I did decide after his shooting incident is that I have no choice but to continue down the path Gabe has suggested. I’ve to try and make Damien remember me first, perhaps even fall for me again before I tell him about us. I need to be certain that he won’t reject Rian or me when he finds out the truth; I have to ensure my baby’s safety at all times. Because, if what Gabe says is true and if the people after Damien can risk shooting at him in broad daylight, then I am certain they have enough resources to get to Rian. He is our weakness and at this point, I don’t want Damien to be weak any more than he already is, thanks to his memory loss.

Jonathan’s call last evening came as a blessing in disguise. It gave me an excuse to stop pacing the house, to stop thinking and get out of my pajamas. And now thanks to him I’m here once again in front of my husband.

Damien breaks into my train of thoughts. “Did you know I’m working on this project with Sommerfield?”

“Jonathan did mention it when we met for dinner last night.”

He raises an eyebrow. “Jonathan is it?”

I shrug my shoulders.

“I don’t like surprises, Miss Singh and I don’t like being played.”

“Why do you think that you’re being played? I understood from Jonathan that your team hasn’t been able to give him what he wants whereas with my background and experience I probably can. So why not make the most of this arrangement? You may be amazed and may learn something in the process.”

“Cocky aren’t you, Miss Singh?”

“Not cocky, confident. And besides after that evening spent in your library, I quite think that we have moved way beyond formality, so call me Aaliya like you did before. I sure as hell am going to call you Damien, no matter what your title is.”

Heat stirs in his eyes at my words reminding me of what transpired between us in the library during the gala. His eyes wander over me in that all too familiar way and my skin sighs in delight. Damn! Being intimate with him has always clouded my brain and I need all my wits around me to deal with him because he’s different now from before. He’s just more of everything. He’s more certain of himself and so much more controlling. Even his aura exudes power. He’s totally unlike the gentle and calm man I fell in love with.

I remind myself that I have to stay in control of all our interactions. I can’t let what happened in the library repeat no matter how much I want him because he has to fall in love with me first. I refuse to be just another woman he slept with.

Damien