Damian's POV
She was fire, and I had spent my whole life in the cold. Maybe that's why I couldn't look away."
I had expected resistance.
Robert Sinclair's daughter was never going to be an easy acquisition. I knew that before I even agreed to this arrangement. But what I hadn't expected was her.
Trina Sinclair wasn't just stubborn she was a goddamn wildfire.
From the moment she stormed into her father's office, eyes blazing, shoulders squared like she was ready for war, I knew this wouldn't be simple. But simplicity had never been something I needed. Control, yes. Order, absolutely. But easy?
Easy was boring.
And Trina Sinclair was anything but boring.
Now, sitting across from her at one of the most exclusive restaurants in the city. one of my choosing, of course. I watched as she glared at me like I had personally ruined her life. Which, in her eyes, I probably had.
"Are you always this quiet," she asked, pushing her untouched glass of wine away, "or are you just planning my demise in silence?"
I smirked. "Would you prefer I be more dramatic about it?"
She exhaled sharply, leaning back in her chair. "I'd prefer if you called this whole thing off."
I swirled the whiskey in my glass, watching the amber liquid catch the dim lighting. "That's not going to happen."
Her jaw tightened. "Figures."
She was beautiful when she was angry.
It was a dangerous thought one I had no business entertaining. But it lingered anyway. Maybe it was the way her skin glowed under the soft light, or the way her lips parted slightly when she held back another sharp remark. Maybe it was the challenge in her dark eyes, daring me to react.
I couldn't deny how beautiful she was. Her skin was a deep, rich brown that glowed under the right lighting, her hair, thick, dark, and wavy. It had a mind of its own, much like the rest of her.
There was confidence in her stride, an unapologetic fire in the way she moved.She was not just beautiful. She was undeniable. And that made her dangerous.
Either way, I couldn't deny it.
I had spent years navigating boardrooms filled with men who would slit each other's throats over a single percentage of stock. I had handled hostile takeovers, outmaneuvered seasoned executives twice my age, and won every single time.
But Trina Sinclair?
She was a different kind of opponent.
"What exactly are you hoping to accomplish here?" I asked, studying her.
She tilted her head. "Excuse me?"
"This little rebellion of yours." I set my glass down, meeting her gaze head-on. "What's your endgame, Trina?"
She blinked, like she hadn't expected the question. Then she scoffed. "My endgame? Oh, that's simple. I'm going to make you miserable."
A slow smile tugged at the corner of my mouth. "Is that so?"
"Damn right."
I chuckled, low and quiet. It had been a long time since someone had amused me this much. "And how do you plan to do that?"
She leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table, and for the first time that night, her lips curved into something wicked. "You'll see."
Something tightened in my chest.
For the first time in years, I didn't know what came next. And that? That was very dangerous.
I gazed at her glassy brown eyes. She intrigued me.
''Well,I would like to see where you would end up with that." I was almost forced to smile. The frown in her brows showed how annoyed she felt. I just wanted to get a reaction out of her and I finally got one.
She moved a bit closer and whispered. ''I can't wait to get that proud smirk of your face, Mr Blackwood."
"Things don't always go the way you plan, Miss Sinclair." I narrowed my eyes. "In this relationship,I call the shots and I'm sure you can't get close enough to rile me up."
I had to remind her I really didn't care about the arrangement.
It was merely an inconvenience.
I would have done so well as CEO without having to tie myself down in marriage. I didn't want to either. I could notice the flash of shock on her face. She masked it well but I noticed the crease on her forehead. It was good that I struck something. I was sure she just wanted to attack me, at least she knew now that actions had consequences.
A content smile laced my face as she sat and stared quietly. It seemed she was trying to study me.
"Cat got your tongue." I mused. "A minute ago you where ready to talk my ears off. Why are you so quite now, Firecracker."
Her face morphed into annoyance. I fought the smile. I finally got her to lose her cool demeanour.
"What did you just call me?." She looked like she would pounce on me any moment not that I would mind.
"Oh Tri, you humour me. Of all the things I said, that was all you heard?" I said picking up the menu. Was this how dates went, if it was I should have been doing it more.
This was somewhat interesting.
"So I look like a circus monkey to you right? I don't look funny in any way, so don't flatter yourself. I'm not here for your amusement." She said staring with a bored expression. "Don't call me that again. Don't you have manners. It's rude to call a lady names."
There was the hint of arrogance that kept me drawn to her.
Women always threw themselves at me at every slight opportunity. She was the first to talk back. I wasn't going to lie it tugged my interest.
I needed to end where this was heading to. I couldn't afford to be fond of her presence.
"Well, please decide what you would like to eat. I would like to talk about our plans for this marriage." I said in an assertive manner
She glared at me and started laughing. I was confused,What was going on?
"Bold of you to assume, I would accept marrying you." She said looking like I just said the most stupid thing in the universe.
Well this was proving to be difficult. Lucky I had planned for this resistance. I couldn't start another drama with my parents. And I can't start the quest of finding another wife when I just started accepting her presence.
"Now, My wife to be, don't be too quick to think you can excape me. We are both stuck in this together." She frowned,good it was sinking in. "Your dad would be bankrupt in three months. Your whole life would come crashing. If you are not thinking of yourself. Think of your poor parents, their workers and their families. How would they all survive it."
Her expression turned sad. Good to know she had sympathy. I could work with that weakness. She pitied what their lives would become. This was how I was going to get her.
"What's in it for you. I'm sure you didn't wake up and decide you wanted to become a good Samaritan and help our failing company. What do you gain?" She asked. I liked that she was smart. I wouldn't rope myself into this kind of situation if I wasn't desperate. Concern was for weak men.
"You are right I'm not that generous. But desperate times call for desperate measures. If I don't get married,I can't become CEO. You see I have worked so hard to keep my Grand parents legacy of what use would it be if someone else end up with that position. Plus I deserve it. I have worked tirelessly for something so little to stop me." I answered. There was no point lying to her.
I wasn't looking for love, just something to check off all the boxes.
"So I was right. I'm just the business transaction." She looked a bit sad. I understood. It was like we upturned her life and she didn't even get a say in it. Not like I would change anything. But I still felt bad for her.
"I'm sorry you got caught up in this. But a deal is a deal. I get a wife,and your father's company survives."I didn't mean to be that blunt about it. Her eyes laced with tears. She tried to maintain composure. She stared determined not to look weak before me.
"Thank you for reminding me what my worth is." She moved her chair. "I would like to take my leave. I'm sure you already have my phone number. Please make sure to let me know when the wedding would take place and any further arrangements. Goodbye Mr Blackwood." She said picking up her purse and walking away.
She swayed so gracefully. I was too stunned to talk. No woman had walked out on me before. Before I could say anything. She was already gone.
I picked up my phone to call my driver. Not before I messaged her.
'We still have a lot to discuss, Firecracker. Expect to see me soon. Your Husband-to-be.'
Oh, this beautiful woman confused and intrigued me.
"I would figure you out,Trina Sinclair." I said under my breath with a light chuckle.