Devil CEO's Desire

Dawn painted Rome's skyline in shades of gold and rose as Evelyn stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows of Ben Carter's penthouse. The silk of her wedding dress whispered against the marble floor, a reminder of the whirlwind ceremony that had taken place just hours ago. No grand cathedral, no hundreds of guests – just a quiet ceremony in the judge's chambers, with Marco Romano as the sole witness. The simple platinum band on her finger caught the morning light, sending prisms dancing across the walls.

Her new husband had disappeared into his home office immediately after bringing her to the penthouse, leaving her to explore what would now be her home. The space was a study in modernist luxury – all clean lines and sophisticated minimalism, yet somehow cold, untouched. Like its owner, it revealed everything and nothing at once.

The sound of a door opening pulled her from her thoughts. Ben's reflection appeared in the window beside hers, his tall frame casting a long shadow across the polished floor. He'd shed his suit jacket, and the crisp white shirt stretched across his broad shoulders as he moved to stand beside her.

"Your things will arrive within the hour," he said, his deep voice breaking the morning silence. "I had Marco arrange for your personal items to be collected before the authorities arrived at your family's house."

Evelyn turned to face him, studying the man who was now her husband. In the soft morning light, the sharp angles of his face seemed less severe, though the intensity in his storm-grey eyes remained unchanged. "Thank you," she replied, genuine gratitude in her voice. "What happens now?"

A ghost of a smile touched his lips. "Now, Mrs. Carter, we begin the performance of our lives." He moved to the kitchen island, where a steaming cup of coffee waited. "The media already knows about your family's situation. By noon, they'll know about our marriage. Every eye in Rome will be watching to see if this is a desperate attempt to save your family's reputation or..."

"Or if the Devil of Wall Street has finally found his match," Evelyn finished, accepting the second coffee cup he offered. Their fingers brushed briefly, sending an unexpected spark of awareness through her.

Ben's eyes darkened slightly at the contact. "The world loves a good romance, especially when it involves someone like me. We'll give them what they want – the fairytale of the ruthless businessman tamed by love. It will distract them from the less pleasant realities of your father's situation."

"And us?" The question slipped out before she could stop it. "What are we to each other, beyond this arrangement?"

He set his cup down slowly, considering her with that penetrating gaze that seemed to see straight through her carefully constructed walls. "We're partners, Evelyn. Everything else..." He paused, something unreadable flickering across his face. "Everything else will develop as it will."

The morning sun caught the planes of his face, highlighting a small scar near his temple – a reminder of his mysterious past. Evelyn found herself wanting to reach out, to trace that mark and understand its story. Instead, she gripped her coffee cup tighter.

"I meant what I said last night," she said softly. "I want to learn everything. Not just about the business, but about you. If we're going to convince the world this is real, we need to at least understand each other."

Ben moved closer, close enough that she could smell his expensive cologne mixed with something uniquely him. "Understanding me comes with risks, Mrs. Carter. There are parts of my past that aren't meant for your world."

"I'm not from that world anymore," she reminded him, lifting her chin. "The moment I signed that contract, I chose to step into yours."

Something that might have been admiration flickered in his eyes. He reached out, his fingers brushing a strand of honey-blonde hair from her face. The touch was gentle, belying the strength she knew those hands possessed. "You're either very brave or very foolish," he murmured.

"Maybe both," she answered, refusing to back down from his intense gaze. "But I'm here now, and I won't play at being just another society wife. You wanted a partner – let me be one."

The moment stretched between them, charged with unspoken possibilities. Then Ben's phone buzzed, breaking the spell. He checked it briefly. "The press is gathering downstairs. Are you ready for your first appearance as Mrs. Carter?"

Evelyn squared her shoulders, channeling years of watching her sister command attention. "I'm ready."

His hand settled at the small of her back, warm and steady. "Remember – from now on, every move we make is watched, every gesture analyzed. We're not just husband and wife; we're Rome's newest power couple."

She leaned into his touch slightly, drawing strength from his solid presence. "Then let's give them something worth watching."

As they moved toward the elevator, Evelyn caught their reflection in the mirrored walls. They made a striking pair – his dark power complementing her softer grace. For the first time, she didn't feel like she was standing in Victoria's shadow. Here, beside this dangerous man who had chosen her, she was finally stepping into her own light.

The elevator doors closed on the morning sun, sealing them in their private world for one last moment before they faced Rome together. In the enclosed space, Ben's presence seemed even more overwhelming, his energy filling the air with unspoken tension.

"One last thing," he said, his voice low and intimate in the small space. He turned her to face him, his hands settling on her waist. "If we're going to convince everyone this is real..."

His lips met hers with unexpected gentleness, a stark contrast to his powerful presence. Evelyn's hands found their way to his chest, feeling his heart beating strong and steady beneath her palms. The kiss deepened slowly, like a story unfolding one word at a time, until she forgot about the cameras waiting below, forgot about everything except the way he made her feel both vulnerable and invincible at once.

When they finally parted, his eyes had darkened to the color of a storm at sea. "Now you look properly kissed," he murmured, his thumb brushing across her lower lip. "Let them wonder about that."

The elevator chimed, announcing their arrival. As the doors opened to face the waiting press, Evelyn realized something that thrilled and terrified her in equal measure – that kiss hadn't felt like part of their performance at all.

It had felt like a promise.