Chapter 2

“Ouch…” Amelia Johnson groaned, forcing her eyes open. Damien Taylor immediately released her, but in a sudden, impulsive move, Amelia threw her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his. It was her first kiss—clumsy, unpracticed, almost innocent. What Damien didn’t expect was that it was his first, too. The moment their lips met, a raw, unfamiliar heat surged through him. His mind went blank for a second before instinct took over, and he deepened the kiss. Just as passion began to override reason, Damien pulled back abruptly. He was breathing heavily. What the hell was that? He’d always prided himself on his self-control. Since when did he lose his composure like this? He quickly called a female attendant to help Amelia shower and change. About fifteen minutes later, Amelia had dozed off again, now dressed in dry clothes. When she woke, the first person she saw was Damien. She stared, wide-eyed and disoriented. “Relax, I’m not going to hurt you,” Damien said calmly from the sofa. Outwardly, he looked composed, but inside, he was still reeling—though he hid it well. Then Amelia remembered—this man had saved her. She sat up, sincere gratitude in her voice. “Thank you.” Damien gave a slight nod. “It was nothing.” It was only then that she really took in his appearance—he was breathtakingly handsome, like someone who’d stepped out of a dream. Honestly, he was the most striking man she’d ever seen, with an aura that was both cool and compelling. She slipped off the bed and walked over, extending her hand. “I’m Amelia Johnson.” “Damien Taylor,” he replied after a brief pause, shaking her hand. That electric sensation returned—intense and heart-jolting. Amelia checked the time, then picked up a pen and wrote a number on the notepad. “Mr. Taylor, here’s my number. Let me treat you to dinner sometime—you choose when and where.” He nodded. “I’ll keep that in mind.” Amelia smiled. “Then I’ll be going now.” She was in a hurry to get home. Damien stood up. “It’s not safe for you to go alone at this hour. I’ll drive you.” “Thank you,” Amelia agreed without hesitation. Strangely, she felt she could trust him—perhaps because he’d already helped her once. But when she saw his car, she froze. That sleek black sports car—the “Shadow Wing”—was one of a kind worldwide. She never expected it to be his. If she remembered correctly, this car belonged to the legendary Damien Taylor himself. Could the man beside her really be… that ruthless, untouchable second son of the Taylor family everyone in the capital feared? Looking back, she’d been so blinded by Ethan Collins in her past life that she’d ignored everything else. Otherwise, she would have recognized Damien immediately. Just then, Damien opened the car door for her. “Thank you,” Amelia said, swallowing nervously as she got in. After a moment of silence, she couldn’t resist asking, “Mr. Taylor, do you have any siblings?” “An older brother and a younger one,” he replied casually. “Why?” So he really is the second son… Then he must be that Damien Taylor. Amelia forced an awkward smile. “Nothing, I just thought… with looks like yours, it’d be a shame if your parents hadn’t had more children.” What were the odds? Of all people, she’d been saved by Damien Taylor himself. What a night. Just before she got out of the car, Damien glanced at her. “Miss Johnson, may I ask a favor?” “Of course!” Amelia agreed without hesitation—he’d helped her greatly, so it was only right to return the kindness. She was also curious—what could someone like Damien Taylor possibly need from her? “There’s a banquet tomorrow night. I need a plus-one.” As he spoke, he handed her an invitation. Amelia took it, and her eyes lit up. That banquet. This could be interesting. “No problem. I’ll be there.” But wait… Surely he had plenty of socialites eager to accompany him. Why choose her? As the thought crossed her mind, Damien suddenly leaned in closer…