Damien Sterling

Chapter 14: She's Everywhere

(Damien's POV –)

I should have been sleeping.

Instead, I was lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, thinking about her.

About the way she looked last night.

The way her lips parted just slightly before I kissed her.

The way she tasted—like defiance and something I wasn't ready to name.

I clenched my jaw, turning onto my side.

Enough.

It was just a kiss.

Just part of the deal.

Nothing more.

Nothing dangerous.

And yet…

I could still feel her.

Still see the way she looked at me afterward, breathless and furious.

I exhaled sharply, forcing my eyes shut.

Tomorrow would be different.

Tomorrow, I'd go back to being indifferent.

To proving that none of this affected me.

Tomorrow—

I'd pretend she wasn't already getting under my skin.

---

The Next Morning –

The smell of coffee pulled me from my thoughts as I stepped downstairs, rolling my shoulders.

And that's when I saw her.

Ava.

Sitting in the sunlit breakfast room, her hair tied back, her expression relaxed.

Laughing.

With my mother.

I stopped in my tracks.

Sophia was there too, smirking like she had just won a bet.

Richard sat at the head of the table, reading the newspaper, clearly unbothered by the scene in front of him.

And Eleanor?

She was smiling, sipping her tea, looking at Ava like she had always belonged here.

Like she wasn't a temporary contract.

Like she was family.

Ava must have sensed me watching because she turned slightly—meeting my gaze.

For a second, something flickered in her eyes.

Then—she smirked.

I clenched my jaw, stepping into the room, keeping my face unreadable.

"Morning," Sophia drawled, barely hiding her amusement.

Ava raised a brow. "You actually wake up before noon?"

I sat down, pouring myself a cup of coffee. "Don't get used to it, sweetheart."

She rolled her eyes, going back to whatever conversation she had been having with my mother.

I wasn't listening.

I was too busy watching.

Because she was different this morning.

Relaxed. Comfortable. Like she belonged here.

And I wasn't sure if that bothered me… or something else.

---

"So, Eleanor…" Ava hesitated for half a second before setting her coffee down.

I raised a brow.

She only hesitated when she was about to say something serious.

Eleanor smiled warmly. "Yes, dear?"

Ava straightened slightly, meeting her gaze. "I was wondering… if it would be okay for me to work."

Silence.

I frowned, setting my cup down.

Work?

Eleanor tilted her head. "You want a job?"

Ava nodded. "Yes. I don't want to just sit around doing nothing. I need to do something for myself."

Richard finally looked up from his newspaper. "You're engaged to my son. You don't need to work."

Ava's jaw tightened, but she kept her voice even. "With all due respect, Mr. Sterling, I don't want to depend on anyone."

I exhaled slowly, watching her.

She was serious.

Eleanor smiled softly. "Do you have something in mind?"

Ava bit her lip, thinking. "Not yet. But I'd like to figure it out."

Eleanor nodded approvingly. "Then we'll find you something."

Richard scoffed, setting his paper down. "Ava, your role is to support Damien, not to go running off to an office like some common employee."

Ava clenched her fists.

Before she could snap, Eleanor cut in smoothly. "I think it's admirable that she wants something for herself."

Richard's expression tightened.

But my mom wasn't asking for his opinion.

She turned to Ava, ignoring him completely. "I'll help you, dear. We'll figure something out together."

Ava's shoulders relaxed slightly. "Thank you."

My mom smiled. "Of course, sweetheart."

I watched the interaction, fingers tapping against my cup.

Ava wanted to work?

She had everything she could ever need here. And she still wanted more?

She was different.

And I was starting to realize…

I liked that about her.

---