Chapter 8 – The Line Between Us

Sophia didn't stop walking until she reached her car.

Her hands trembled as she pulled open the door and slid into the driver's seat. She gripped the steering wheel, taking deep, steady breaths, willing the heat in her body to subside.

That kiss…

It wasn't supposed to happen.

She had kissed Damien to prove a point—to show that she was in control.

But in the end, she had only proved how powerless she was against him.

And worst of all… he knew it.

She could still feel the ghost of his touch on her skin, the way his hands had held her like he wasn't just claiming her body—but her soul.

Sophia clenched her jaw.

She wouldn't let this happen.

She wouldn't let Damien Blackwood consume her.

With a sharp breath, she turned the key in the ignition and drove away, leaving him behind.

At least, that's what she told herself.

Because no matter how far she went… she wasn't sure she could ever truly escape him.

---

The next morning, Sophia arrived at her office earlier than usual, hoping to drown herself in work.

She needed the distraction.

But the moment she stepped into the building, she felt it.

A presence.

Powerful. Dominant.

Him.

Sophia's heart skipped a beat as she saw Damien standing in front of her office, leaning casually against the doorframe like he belonged there.

Like he belonged anywhere she was.

She should have known he wouldn't let last night go so easily.

Taking a slow breath, she straightened her spine and walked toward him, masking her emotions with a cool expression.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, keeping her voice steady.

Damien smirked.

"Good morning to you too, sweetheart."

Her eyes narrowed. "Don't call me that."

His smirk only deepened. "You didn't seem to mind it last night."

Heat rushed to her cheeks, but she refused to let him get to her.

She crossed her arms. "If you're here to talk about what happened—"

"I'm here for business," he interrupted smoothly, pushing off the doorframe.

She frowned. "Business?"

His gaze darkened. "You forget, Sophia. I own shares in this company."

Her stomach dropped.

No.

No, no, no.

She knew Damien had investments everywhere.

But she never thought he would interfere with her career.

"You wouldn't," she said, eyes flashing.

He took a step closer, his voice dangerously soft.

"I would."

Her breath hitched.

She hated how easily he affected her.

How could he invade every part of her life?

Her work was supposed to be her safe space.

And now… he was here.

---

Sophia squared her shoulders.

She wouldn't let him win.

"You can own as many shares as you want, Damien," she said coolly. "But this is my company."

His gaze flickered with amusement.

"Your company?" he repeated. "That's cute. But let's not forget who the real power players are."

She clenched her fists. "Are you trying to threaten me?"

Damien tilted his head, studying her.

"Would you like me to?"

There was a challenge in his voice.

One that made her pulse race.

One that made her want to fight him.

Because that was what they did.

They pushed.

They challenged.

And they both liked it too damn much.

Sophia took a slow step forward, meeting his gaze head-on.

"I don't scare easily, Damien."

His eyes darkened.

"Neither do I."

For a long moment, they just stared at each other, the tension between them crackling like a live wire.

And then—Damien smirked.

"We'll see how long you can keep that attitude, sweetheart."

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Sophia standing there, her heart pounding.

She had won this round.

But something told her… the game between them was far from over.

---

Sophia had never been one to let emotions cloud her judgment.

Yet, here she was, pacing in her office, replaying every second of her last encounter with Damien Blackwood.

The audacity.

The arrogance.

The way he had looked at her—like he owned her.

She had spent years building this company, fighting tooth and nail to make a name for herself in the corporate world. And now, out of nowhere, Damien had inserted himself into her territory.

She stopped pacing and exhaled sharply.

No.

She wouldn't let him distract her.

Damien Blackwood was nothing more than a temporary problem. A challenge.

And if there was one thing Sophia had never backed down from—it was a challenge.

---

An hour later, she received a message from her assistant.

Ms. Reid, Mr. Blackwood has scheduled a board meeting in thirty minutes.

Sophia's jaw tightened.

Of course he did.

She gathered her composure and strode into the boardroom, where the company's executives were already seated.

And there he was.

Damien.

Sitting at the head of the table like he had always belonged there.

Like he wasn't an invader in her world.

He glanced up at her, and their eyes locked.

A slow, knowing smirk spread across his lips.

"Nice of you to join us, sweetheart."

She forced a polite smile. "I assume you have a reason for calling this meeting, Damien."

His gaze flickered with amusement. "I do."

He leaned back, exuding confidence.

"I've decided to increase my stake in the company."

A murmur rippled through the room.

Sophia's fingers curled into fists under the table.

"What exactly are you proposing?" she asked, keeping her voice steady.

Damien's smirk deepened.

"A partnership."

Sophia's heart skipped a beat.

A partnership?

He had to be joking.

"You want me to work with you?" she said, incredulous.

"Why not?" Damien said smoothly. "It would be mutually beneficial."

"I don't see how," she shot back. "I built this company without your help."

His dark eyes gleamed.

"True. But with my help, it can go even further."

She hated that part of her knew he was right.

Damien had power. Influence. Connections.

But that didn't mean she trusted him.

Or that she was willing to play his game.

...

The meeting ended with no final decision, but one thing was clear—Damien wasn't going anywhere.

Sophia was the first to leave, heading toward her office.

But she barely made it through the door before she heard the sound of it closing behind her.

She turned sharply.

Damien.

Standing in her office like he belonged there.

"You have a habit of entering places uninvited," she said coldly.

He smirked. "And you have a habit of pretending you don't want me here."

She crossed her arms. "I don't."

His gaze darkened. "Liar."

Sophia's breath caught.

The way he said it—low, rough, intimate—sent a shiver down her spine.

She took a step back.

He took a step forward.

"You can fight me all you want, Sophia," he murmured. "But I'm not leaving."

She lifted her chin. "And if I refuse your partnership?"

Damien tilted his head, studying her.

"Then I'll make you an offer you can't refuse."

Sophia's pulse raced.

This wasn't just business.

This was war.

And she wasn't sure who would win.