The 365 days wife

The silence was thick, the tension suffocating.

Ava's breath came in shallow gasps as she lay beneath Damien, her body pressed against the mattress while his firm grip held her captive. Just moments ago, she had thought she had the upper hand, pushing him, taunting him—but now, she was trapped, his intense gaze pinning her in place just as much as his body did.

Then—

The door creaked open.

Damien froze. Ava's body went rigid beneath him. The dim light from the hallway barely illuminated the dark room, but the familiar voice that followed sent a jolt of panic through Ava's veins.

"Sir? Is everything alright?"

It was Mrs. Bella, the head housekeeper. Her voice was laced with concern, but she didn't step inside. The darkness in the room kept her from seeing what was happening, but the slight hesitation in her tone made it clear she wasn't convinced that all was well.

Ava felt Damien's muscles tense. If Mrs. Bella stepped even an inch further into the room, she would see them—see the way Ava's nightdress was crumpled up around her thighs, the way Damien's body caged hers, the undeniable closeness between them.

But Damien remained unshaken. His voice was firm, authoritative, as he spoke.

"Everything is fine, Mrs. Bella. You may leave."

There was a brief pause.

"I heard noises, sir. I just wanted to make sure nothing was wrong."

Ava barely stifled a gasp when she felt Damien's fingers trail along the curve of her thigh, a silent, possessive warning. The touch sent an unexpected jolt of heat through her body, and she cursed herself for reacting.

"I said everything is fine," Damien repeated, his voice sharper now, leaving no room for argument.

Another pause. Then—

"Very well, sir. Goodnight."

The door shut with a quiet click, and the sound of retreating footsteps echoed down the hallway.

Ava exhaled shakily, thinking the ordeal was finally over. But before she could even process her relief, Damien's grip on her waist tightened, yanking her closer until her chest was pressed against his.

His breath was warm against her ear as he whispered, "You got lucky."

Ava swallowed hard, her fingers clutching the sheets as his grip on her didn't ease. She was too aware of the way her barely-there nightwear had ridden up, how his rough, calloused hands were now against her soft, exposed skin.

Then he moved.

His hand slid lower, exploring the delicate curve of her hip before moving to cup the swell of her ass beneath the silky fabric of her nightdress. His thumb brushed the sensitive skin just beneath the hem, igniting a slow burn inside her.

"You should be punished for sneaking in here," Damien murmured, his lips brushing against her jawline, teasing her.

Ava's breath hitched.

"You—You can't," she whispered, though her voice lacked its usual sharpness. She was too aware of how dangerously close they were, how her body was betraying her with every second that passed.

Damien smirked, sensing her hesitation. His lips ghosted over her neck, his fingers tightening against her skin. "I can't?" he repeated mockingly. "You forget, Ava… I make the rules here."

She shivered at the way he said her name, the dark promise hidden in his tone.

But she had to fight this.

Gathering what little strength she had left, she pressed her palms against his chest, attempting to push him away. "Remember what the contract says," she whispered breathlessly. "No touching unless necessary."

Damien let out a low chuckle, amused by her defiance. His fingers danced along the edge of her nightdress, teasing the sensitive skin of her thigh.

"I don't remember signing a contract that dictates what I can or can't do in my own room," he murmured.

Ava glared at him. "You did," she shot back. "And it says—"

"Who cares about that contract?" Damien interrupted smoothly. He dipped his head lower, his lips now grazing the delicate skin just below her ear. "Since you love invading my privacy, it's only fair that I invade yours."

Her pulse skyrocketed.

"You're impossible," she whispered.

"And you're tempting," he countered, his voice laced with amusement.

She hated how her body reacted, how the heat pooling in her stomach made it harder to push him away.

His hands roamed dangerously close to the parts of her she didn't want him to touch. His thumb traced slow, lazy circles along her hip, and she knew that if she didn't stop this now, it would go too far.

Summoning every ounce of willpower she had, Ava pushed him—harder this time.

"Damien, stop," she demanded.

His eyes darkened, a mix of frustration and desire flashing across his face. For a second, she thought he might ignore her protest.

But then—

A sudden knock on the door.

"Sir? Are you sure you don't need anything before I retire for the night?" Mrs. Bella's voice called again.

Ava's eyes widened.

Damien let out a sharp breath, his irritation clear. He pulled away slightly, though the heat between them still lingered in the air.

"Damn it," he muttered under his breath.

Ava quickly scrambled to sit up, adjusting her nightdress, her cheeks burning. She refused to meet his gaze as she slid off the bed, already heading toward the door.

Before she could escape, Damien's voice stopped her.

"You're running now?" His tone was laced with something unreadable.

Ava turned, her heart still racing. "You said I was lucky," she murmured. "So I'm taking my luck and leaving before you change your mind."

A smirk played on his lips. "Smart choice."

But his eyes told a different story.

As she slipped out of the room, closing the door behind her, Ava knew one thing for sure—

This wasn't over.

Not even close.