Sienna stood outside Damien Blackwood's penthouse, gripping the handle of her suitcase like it was a lifeline.
This was insane.
She had spent the past twenty-four hours convincing herself that signing the contract had been the smart choice. That it was just business. But now, standing in front of the sleek double doors leading to his world, reality crashed down on her.
She was moving in with a man she barely knew.
A man who looked at her like he could read every single thought she tried to hide.
The doors opened before she could knock.
Damien stood in the doorway, dressed in a crisp white shirt with the top buttons undone, revealing just a hint of his toned chest. His sleeves were rolled up, exposing strong forearms, and his gray eyes swept over her in quiet assessment.
Sienna swallowed hard. This was going to be hell.
"You're late," Damien said, stepping aside to let her in.
She lifted her chin. "You're welcome for showing up at all."
His lips twitched, as if he were amused, but he said nothing.
Sienna dragged her suitcase inside and nearly lost her breath. The penthouse was ridiculous. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed the glittering city skyline, casting a golden glow across the sleek modern furniture. The open-concept space stretched endlessly, with a glass staircase leading to what she assumed was the second floor.
Everything screamed wealth and power—just like Damien himself.
"Ground rules," Damien said, closing the door behind her. "First, this isn't a vacation. You're here to play your role, and that means following my lead."
Sienna rolled her eyes. "Yes, sir."
His gaze darkened. "Careful with the sarcasm, sweetheart."
Her stomach fluttered at the low, warning tone. She forced herself to look away, pretending to admire the penthouse instead.
"Second," he continued, stepping closer, "we'll be sharing a bed."
Sienna spun to face him so fast she nearly tripped. "Excuse me?"
Damien smirked, clearly enjoying her reaction. "The press will expect photos of us inside the apartment. If you have your own room, it'll raise questions."
She scowled. "You're telling me a billionaire like you doesn't have a guest room?"
"I do," he admitted. "But if anyone finds out you're sleeping in it, the whole engagement will look fake."
Sienna crossed her arms. "So what, we just… sleep next to each other like an old married couple?"
His smirk deepened. "I don't just sleep, Sienna."
Her face burned. "You are unbelievable."
"And you're too easy to tease," he murmured, his voice laced with amusement.
She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "Fine. But I'm drawing a line down the bed."
Damien chuckled. "By all means."
Before she could say anything else, a sharp voice interrupted them.
"Well, this is new."
Sienna turned just in time to see a tall blonde woman step into the penthouse like she owned the place. She was dressed in a designer dress, her lips painted blood red, and her cold blue eyes locked onto Sienna like she was an intruder.
Damien's expression darkened. "What are you doing here, Lillian?"
Lillian. His ex-fiancée.
Sienna's stomach twisted.
"Oh, don't act so surprised, darling," Lillian purred. "I heard the most fascinating news and had to see for myself."
Her gaze swept over Sienna dismissively. "So, this is the woman you're engaged to?"
Damien's jaw tightened. "Yes."
Lillian let out a laugh, cruel and sharp. "Oh, Damien. You must be truly desperate."
Sienna clenched her fists. She had no idea who this woman was, but something about her made her blood boil.
She wasn't about to let some bitter ex humiliate her.
So, before she could think twice, Sienna stepped closer to Damien, wrapped her hand around his arm, and smiled sweetly. "You know what's truly desperate? Showing up uninvited to your ex's home."
Lillian's smirk faltered.
Damien glanced down at Sienna, something unreadable flickering in his eyes.
Lillian recovered quickly, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "Enjoy your little arrangement while it lasts." She turned on her heel and strode out of the penthouse, her heels clicking against the floor.
The moment she was gone, Sienna let out a breath and dropped her hand from Damien's arm. "Well, that was fun."
Damien studied her. "You handled her well."
Sienna shrugged. "I've dealt with worse."
Something in his gaze shifted—an intensity that made her pulse race.
For a second, it felt like he was seeing her in a way no one else ever had.
Then he turned away. "Come on," he said, heading toward the bedroom. "I'll show you where you'll be pretending to sleep."
Sienna groaned. This arrangement was already a disaster.