Steam rose softly from the water as Chloe sank deeper into the warmth, resting her head against Damian's chest. His hands massaged her skin with lathering soap. She closed her eyes, the memory of their lovemaking still vivid, and inhaled the aroma of roses mingled with the warm, smoky sweetness of burning candles.

They'd fucked on the bed, spooning on their sides—Damian behind her, his body pressing into hers. His masculine scent aroused her; she ached for him even more. His movements were measured and deliberate, his cock's long, rhythmic thrusts filling her with pleasure.

He was careful with the baby growing inside her, whispering words of love and desire while caressing her hips with his steady hand. The climax shook her, leaving her breathless and trembling beneath his strong arms.

Now, in the bathtub, he rinsed her, every gesture laced with affection. His lips grazed the side of her neck before he pulled back to towel her off. Once dried, he sat and combed her damp hair, his fingers twisting it into a beautiful braid.

"How are you feeling?" he asked. "And how's our little one?"

"The baby's fine," she answered, leaning into him. "The nausea's fading, but the heartburn's started."

"Dami," she said quietly, her thoughts pulling her back to earlier. "You said things were going to change. What did you mean by that?"

He reached over to the bedside table, handing her a glass of water and two pills. "Take this first," he instructed to alleviate the mild pain from the flogging.

Chloe obeyed, swallowing the paracetamol before Damian grabbed a tube of lotion and massaged it into her back, where faint pink marks from their earlier session lingered.

"I was careful tonight," he said, his voice full of restrained intensity. "I'd never hurt you."

She sighed, feeling the cool relief as the lotion soothed her skin. "I know. But what you said earlier. Is it about Val? Are you thinking of... inviting her into bed?"

Damian's eyes narrowed. "If I wanted Val, I would've lost my virginity to her instead of you."

Chloe swallowed. Hard. "But you and her... before me, you did things together. Don't you think about her?"

He pressed a fist to his chest, his voice rough with emotion. "Shit, Chloe, I love you so much it hurts. Val's a knockout, but a ménage? That's not happening."

Chloe bit her lip, unsure. "But won't monogamy bore you?"

Damian laughed, shaking his head. "Babe, I could have plenty of women. There's always gonna be temptation, and I'm strong enough to say no. What we have, this marriage is sacred." He leaned in, brushing his lips against hers. "Tell me what excites you about me."

She smiled, her eyes brightening. "Everything. You're gorgeous. You walk into a room, and people can't help but stare. It's not just your looks, though—it's how sharp you are, how you see things no one else does. You're playful, but there's always this undercurrent..."

Damian chuckled, brushing his thumb over her lower lip. "Go on."

"I love the things you do," Chloe continued. "The way you make my favorite curry when I've had a bad day. The way you teach me, push me to be wiser. And I love that no one else can have you."

Damian's eyes darkened with intensity. "It's called commitment. I didn't have that growing up. My parents lived separate lives. That's not what I want for us, for our child." He cupped her face, his gaze locking onto hers. "You and me? We're a team."

Chloe's heart swelled as she rested her forehead against his. "You show me new things, even outside the bedroom. But... what turns me on is that edge you have. You're fast. Dangerous. And dirty."

His smirk deepened as he tilted her chin up. "How dirty are you?"

She leaned into his ear, whispering her response. His eyes widened before a slow grin spread across his face.

"Damn, Chloe!" He laughed, his breath warm on her skin. "We'll save that one for after the baby."

With a playful tap on her nose, Damian pulled her into bed, wrapping her in his arms. "When I first saw you across that room at the party, I felt like I already knew you. Theo asked me to distract you so he could make a move on Lisa, but the second I saw you? I didn't do it for him. I did it for me."

Chloe smiled, listening as he traced gentle patterns across her arm.

"Physically, you were my perfect picture. Curvy, strong, healthy. Dark hair, dark eyes... I've got a type," Damian admitted with a smirk. "But when you spoke... hell, I was hooked. You're smart, Chloe. Witty. You don't just learn fast—you think fast. I've never met anyone like you."

Her heart warmed, feeling the love radiate from his words.

"When we started dating, I saw how thoughtful you were and how you picked your battles wisely. You're strong but quiet. Calculated." Damian's lips brushed the top of her head as if he couldn't help but touch her. "You're everything I never knew I needed."

Chloe nestled into his chest, comforted by the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her cheek. Here, in his arms, everything felt right. She smiled softly, trailing her fingers over his skin. "You never told me about this change you mentioned earlier."

"You'll find out tomorrow." Damian smiled against her hair, the warmth of his breath heating her soul. "Vivianne's organized for your suitcases to be packed. The honeymoon starts tomorrow."

Chloe looked up, searching Damian's eyes. "Will I like your surprise... this change?"

Damian's lips curved into that devilish, knowing smirk that always made her stomach flip. "You might not like it," he teased, his tone dripping with dark seduction. His fingers brushed along her jawline, tilting her chin up. "But then again, you might love it."

She bit her lip, feeling excited and nervous about his plan. Damian was unpredictable, but that was part of why she loved him. He was the only person who could make her feel both in control and entirely at his mercy at the same time.

***

The next day, Chloe stepped onto the private jet, the soft hum of the engines vibrating beneath her feet. The sleek leather seats and polished wood gleamed in the low light, luxury at every corner. But Damian's words still lingered in her mind, curling uneasily in her chest.

"Things are about to change. And you might not like the choices I've made."

A flight attendant in a crisp navy uniform greeted them, her practiced smile warm. "Welcome onboard, Mister and Missus Scott—"

"Please. You can refer to me as Miss Carter. I've kept my name," Chloe explained with a tight smile.

"I'm sorry, Miss Carter," the attendant apologized, her cheeks reddening. "Please take your seats. We'll be ready for departure shortly."

Chloe looked at Damian, who chuckled at the folly. Her pulse quickened. "You're playing games again, aren't you?" she asked, suspicion gnawing at her when they walked toward the plush leather seats.

Damian's lips quirked into a dark smile, the kind that made her crave and dread what he might say next. "Isn't that why you love me?" His hand settled against the small of her back, fingers pressing in lightly as he steered her deeper into the cabin.

Chloe let out a quiet sigh. "I think you enjoy being the cat," she murmured, tilting her head slightly as she glanced back at him. "And others being the mice."

His pupils dilated, the darkness swallowing the sharp green of his irises. Amusement gleamed there. "Oh, I'm always up to something. That's the fun part." He leaned in, his breath brushing her ear. "Today, we see if you're over your past."

Her heart skipped. She blinked, trying to read the meaning hidden beneath his words. "What the hell does that mean?"

Damian kissed just beneath her ear, soft but teasing, before pulling back. "You'll see soon enough."

She turned to him, trying to read his face, but he headed toward the back of the cabin, a hint of a smirk still lingering on his lips. The knot in her stomach twisted tighter. Damian thrived on control and pushing her to her limits, but today felt different.

Her footsteps slowed as the click of the cockpit door opening caught her attention.

She froze.

Stepping out, casual as ever, was Chase.

The Chase Miller.

The man who had once made her question everything about her future with Damian. His presence hit her like a punch to the chest. He stood tall in his crisp pilot's uniform, the black jacket hugging his broad shoulders, gold stripes shining at the cuffs.

Chase's deep brown eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, memories flashed behind them. The easy smile, the dimple that tugged at the corner of his lips—he was exactly the same. Charming, confident, enough to make her heart race. But that was the past.

She had moved on.

"Captain," Chloe mused, a faint smile pulling at her lips.

Damian's hand slid to her lower back again, firmer this time, possessive in its subtlety. "Surprise," he murmured with dangerous satisfaction. "Didn't expect to see an old friend, did you?"

Chloe's heart pounded, but not because of Chase. It was Damian— as if he were testing her and getting a kick out of it. Was he asserting his dominance over Chase? Or her? Her pulse quickened.

Chase's smile didn't falter, but there was a deeper glint in his eyes as he spoke. "It's good to see you, Chloe."

Chloe straightened, holding her composure. "Likewise," she replied coolly.

Chase's brow lifted slightly, glancing at her stomach where the faint curve of her pregnancy showed beneath her dress. "You're pregnant? Wow. You didn't tell me when we last had lunch. Congratulations."

Her hand moved to her belly, her fingers resting protectively over the life growing inside. She smiled softly. "Thank you."

Damian's fingers flexed against her waist, his presence radiating a quiet control beside her. "Chase will be flying us today," he said. His fingers tapped rhythmically on her waist. "I thought it would be interesting to see if you've moved on."

"You know I have," Chloe huffed, leaving no room for doubt. Her expression softened, but the ache in her chest deepened. Damian was hers—infuriating, possessive, dangerous. She knew what he was capable of. He could destroy his enemies with the same psychological precision his mother had taught him, tearing them apart piece by piece. That kind of power couldn't be bought. And somehow, her own darkness was drawn to his.

Chase's smirk faltered for just a beat before he recovered, leaning back with casual ease. "Well," he said, a glimmer of something unreadable in his eyes, "it looks like everyone's moving on these days." He paused, his smile returning, this time with an edge. "Val and I are together now. We're dating."

Chloe blinked. The name sent a brief jolt through her—but only momentarily.

Val.

The woman who danced on the edges of Damian's world, orbiting just close enough to be noticed. Her husband's former lover, now her friend. It made sense, Chloe supposed. Chase liked to visit the club. He sat with Val at their wedding, flirting with her. The two were lonely, searching for love.

"That's good for you," Chloe said. She meant it. Chase had been important once, but her life was with Damian. Her hand moved to her stomach again, a small smile painting her red lips with satisfaction. "I'm happy for you both."

Chase tilted his head, studying her. "Really?" he asked, as if testing the waters of her sincerity.

"Really," she replied, glancing at Damian. Certainty anchored her as her fingers intertwined with his. "I've got everything I need."

Damian's fingers slid up her back, tracing the length of her spine as he leaned down to whisper in her ear. "That's my girl."

Chloe's chest swelled, warmth blooming under his touch. Whatever tests he threw at her, she had passed. Her future was certain. It was with Damian—her lover, her husband, and the father of her child.

As Chase took his place in the cockpit, Chloe farewelled the past, sitting by Damian's side and leaning into him.

***

Later, Chloe shifted in her seat, her fingers trailing lightly over the armrest. Her thoughts lingered on the interaction with Chase. She turned to Damian, her curiosity simmering just beneath the surface.

"Did you influence Chase's decision to move on with Val?" she asked.

Damian's lips twitched, barely suppressing a smile. "I may have."

Chloe blinked. The answer was unsurprising, yet another reminder of how much control Damian held over the world around them.

"Was this the change you were talking about? Bringing Val and Chase together?" she asked. "Because you're right. I don't like it..."

His eyebrow arched.

She smiled slyly. "I love it. And I'm looking forward to Zurich."

He traced patterns on her skin. "That's the change I was talking about. What you might not like. Switzerland's only part of the trip. There's more."

Chloe frowned, uncertainty tugging at her. "Dami, where are we going?"

Damian's eyes gleamed, wicked amusement flickering in their depths. "You'll see."

***

A/N: Do you believe children are products of their parents?

I didn't want to do this chapter and did a few rewrites on Word, but I scrapped those, giving way to this. Damian's darker side keeps emerging, something buried deep from being Saira's son. It's like there's a sadistic side to him, but he's sane and empathetic enough to control it. Chloe enjoys the thrill of it all. She's attracted to danger. Ah, they both deserve each other. 🥴The next chapter is in progress, and things will come together. Do you believe Damian has good intentions?

Will Chloe learn from Damian to deal with Gemma later?