Innocent

Beatrix slowly lifted her eyes, her gaze moving from his shiny polished shoes, up to his elbow, across to his abdomen before stopping on his chest. He was wearing a suit, she noticed, taking a deep breath she finally looked at his face.

Her gaze clashed with the most vivid amber eyes she had ever seen. Immediately, her throat ran dry and her heart started to beat faster.

The man before her looked nothing like she had been expecting. He wasn't an old bald man with a pouted belly or anything. The first thought that popped into her mind was that he was the most handsome man she had ever seen.

Standing well over six feet, almost six foot four or so, he had broad shoulders and strong arms, flexing with muscles under the suit he wore.

His long, powerful legs were clad in suit pants that he paired up with simple brown leather shoes.

He had jet black hair and a face which looked like it was sculpted by the gods themselves. Every inch of him was flawless.

He was dangerous, alright. Even his beauty screamed sinister.

His face was blank as his eyes narrowed at her, before it broke into a full, rakish grin. An unfamiliar tingle rode up her spine.

"It's okay." Her father was the first to speak, breaking the silence.

He nodded and walked further in the room, dominance and intimidation in his every step.

Her father and brothers stood up as everyone greeted him.

As he shook hands with everyone, her nerves spiked up tenfold and a sweat broke in her palm.

Her stomach lurched some more when he finally reached her.

She was the only one sitting and he was staring at her. His eyes studied her, making her insecure.

"You're staring shamelessly," was the first thing he said to her. His voice was deep and dark with a faint trace of a familiar accent.

Beatrix blinked and flushed in embarrassment.

"And now you're blushing, hmmm interesting." He grinned and stretched his hands forward.

"Damien Niarchos."

Beatrix was lost in a trance but was immediately jolted back to the present when she heard someone clear their throat.

She couldn't tear her eyes off his as she slowly lifted her hand to place it in his outstretched one.

When her hand touched his, she almost flinched as her heartbeat thudded even louder.

Gripping her hand softly,an inexplicable feeling jolted through her as soon as their hands touch and she tried to shake it off putting it down on the nerves.

She tried not to swallow the lump in her throat as her heart quickened, aware of the unnameable energy in the air.

This man was doing something swift and devastating to her sensibilities.

"B-beatrix Quinn." She replied.

He pressed a kiss on the back of her hand, his gaze locked on hers.

"A beautiful name for a beautiful woman."

Beatrix blinked. A lovely pink hue rose to her cheekbones. Her mouth worked to form a response but none released from her lips.

He let go of her hand and sat down, taking the seat across her and she noticed the hard look on his face.

"So, tell us Damien how country ZY is?"

********

The dinner ran out smoothly. Fortunately no one forced her to talk as they were all busy talking about some boring territories.

Now she was sitting alone with Damien in the private room. They had left them to get to know each other.

The silence was too awkward for her. Beatrix had her head lowered as she fidgeted with her fingers.

"Can you not..." she paused, feeling awkward.

"Stare at me like that?"

"Like what?"

Beatrix looked up at him.

"Like what you're doing now."

Then she looked away and took a gulp of the water in front of her.

"Can't I stare at something pretty?"

His words almost made her choke. Beatrix coughed out and flushed.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

His voice slid through her like silk. It took her some

time to reply but she was able to stammer, "Y- yes…"

Silence reigned between them again and she twisted her glass of water on the table in front of her around in her fingers, keeping her eyes on it before letting out a breath and asked

"W-Why do- you want to marry me?"

"Good for business." He said simply.

"What about you? Why did you agree to this?"

Beatrix shrugged, "Because I wanted to. My father knows what's best for me." she said, lying straight through her teeth.

"You're lying." He said outright narrowing his eyes.

Beatrix averted her gaze, "I-I'm not."

She whispered. She didn't know if this was some sick game for him to taunt her or something but he knew exactly why she was doing this.

It's not like he had given her a choice. Beatrix thought bitterly.

Damien stood up from his seat and walked closer to her, leaning next to the table right where she was seated. Leaning down, his cold fingers press

against her chin as he pushed her face upwards.

"Look at me." He demanded. Gulping, Beatrix looked him dead in the eyes.

"W-what do you want?" Beatrix flushed as she asked.

"The truth. You hate me don't you? After all, I'm taking away your youth from you."

"Hate is a strong word, Mr. Niarchos." Beatrix replied surprised with herself at her boldness.

He chuckled lowly, "Damien."

"What?"

"Call me Damien. I think moaning Mr. Niarchos would be a turn off since that is my father's name."

"W-what…."

Beatrix muttered under her breath, the temperature of her body rose, leaving a pink stain on the crests of her cheekbones.

Damien touched the intense blush on her cheeks in surprise.

"You're blushing?" His fingers slid under her chin, forcing her head up so he could see her eyes.

"Could you really be that innocent?" He muttered more to himself.

Beatrix averted her gaze and bit her lips.

Damien pulled away and muttered to himself in amazement.

"You're truly innocent."

Beatrix swallowed as the dark prince of a man

observed her with unconcealed interest.

A tendril of sensation popped in the pit of her stomach as warning bells rang in her head.

He was definitely the beast that would ravish her .

And of course, she didn't want that.

Did she?