Chosen By The Cursed Alpha King (Emilia) novel Chapter 170

ROSE’S POV

I stood in front of the full-length mirror in our bedroom, smoothing my hands down the front of the red satin dress Damien had picked out for me.

The fabric clung to every curve, shimmering under the soft lights like liquid fire.

It was bold, daring-nothing like the soft sundresses usually wore. The neckline dipped just low enough to make my heart race, and the slit up the side showed a teasing glimpse of leg when I moved. I felt beautiful, but also a little exposed. Vulnerable.

The door clicked open behind me, and I caught his reflection before l even turned around.

Damien.

God, the man was out of this world.

He wore a tailored black suit that hugged his broad shoulders and tapered down to his waist like it was made just for him-which it probably was. The crisp white shirt underneath made his tanned skin look even warmer, and the top button was undone, giving me the tiniest peek of the strong column of his throat. His dark hair was púshed back, a few strands falling forward in that effortlessly sexy way. And those sharp blue eyes-sharp enough to cut glass-locked onto mine in the mirror.My breath caught.

He looked Like sin wrapped in luxury. Like danger and desire all rolled into one devastating package.

I smiled, small and shy, because honestly, how did I get this lucky?

He didn’t smile back right away. He just stared, his gaze dragging slowly down my body-over the curve of my breasts, the dip of my waist, the flare of my hips, all the way to my heels and back up again. Heat followed everywhere his eyes touched, like his look alone could bern the dress right off me.

He crossed the room in three long strides, and suddenly he was behind me, his hands sliding around my waist, pulling me back plush against his hard chest. His body was warm, solid, and I melted into him without even thinking.

“You look so beautiful,” he whispered against my ear, his voice low and rough, sending shivers racing down my spine. “And so fucking tempting. I’m half a second from saying screw the dinner and keeping you here all night.”

His lips brushed the sensitive spot just below my ear, and I felt my knees go weak.

I laughed softly, tilting my head to give him better access even though I shouldn’t encourage him. “You flatter me.”

His grip tightened, one hand splaying possessively acrossmy stomach, fingers pressing into the satin. “I speak nothing but the truth, baby.”

I blushed hard, heat flooding my cheeks and lower. The way he said it-like he genuinely couldn’t believe I was his always undid me.

He leaned closer, his lips grazing my earlobe, breath hot against my skin. His voice dropped even darker, a velvet growl that made my stomach flip.

“When we get back tonight, I want to fuck you in this dress. I want to hike it up around your waist and feel this satin against my hands while I’m deep inside you.”

Oh God.

My whole body flushed crimson. I could feel the heat everywhere-my face, my chest, between my thighs. I turned in his arms, mouth parted, trying to find words, but all that came out was a shy, breathless “Damien…”

He chuckled, low and wicked, the sound rumbling through his chest into mine. His eyes were pure heat, promising everything he’d just whispered and more.

He took my hand, lacing our fingers tight. “Come on. Let’s go before I change my mind and lock the door.”

I let him lead me out of the bedroom, my legs still a little unsteady. He grabbed his keys, then opened the front door for me like he always did. Little things like that-him taking care of me in quiet ways-made me fall for himharder every single day.

Outside, the car waited with the driver already behind the wheel. Damien helped me in first, his hand steady on mine, then slid in beside me, his thigh pressing against mine the second the door closed. The partition was up, giving us privacy, and the city lights started sliding past the tinted windows as we pulled away from the house.

His hand found my knee immediately, thumb stroking slow circles through the satin. Every touch felt electric tonight. Maybe it was the dress. Maybe it was the way he couldn’t stop looking at me.

Tonight was a business dinner with one of his clients-someone important. He’d ask me to come, said he wanted me by his side more often, wanted me to get comfortable in his world. I’d almost said no. The idea of sitting across from some powerful stranger while trying not to look nervous terrified me. But then I thought about Damien— how hard he worked, how much he carried-and I told myself I needed to grow a backbone. If I wanted to be the woman he deserved, I couldn’t hide forever.

So here I was, heart pounding, trying to look calm while his fingers traced higher up my thigh, teasing the edge of the slit.

“You okay?” he murmured, leaning close so his lips • brushed my temple.

I nodded, turning to meet his eyes. “Just… nervous. I don’t want to embarrass you.”

His expression softened instantly. He cupped my cheek, thumb brushing my lower lip. “You could never embarrass me. You’re perfect. And you’re mine. That’s all anyone needs to know.”

I smiled, leaning into his touch. God, I loved him.

We pulled up to the restaurant twenty minutes later—a sleek, high-class place with dim lighting, crystal chandeliers, and valets in crisp uniforms. Damien stepped out first, then reached for my hand to help me. The cool night air kissed my bare shoulders, but his palm was warm and steady.

Heads turned as we walked in. Women stared at him-some subtle, some not even trying to hide it. I saw lips part, eyes linger on his face, his shoulders, the way he moved like he owned every room he entered.

But Damien didn’t look at a single one of them.

His eyes stayed on me. Only me.

And that made me feel like the most powerful woman in the world.

The host led us to a private table in the back where the client was already waiting. A man in his late forties, tanned, expensive watch glinting under the lights. His smile was wide and charming.

“Mr. Valkar,” he greeted, shaking Damien’s hand firmly.

Then his gaze shifted to me, and that smile grew evenbrighter. Too bright. “And you must be the lovely fiancee.”

Carlos raised both hands in mock surrender, chuckling. ” Pardon me. Of course. My apologies.”

But the damage was done.

The rest of the dinner passed in a blur. They talked numbers-resorts, investments, profit margins-but it all sounded like static in my ears. I nodded when I was supposed to, smiled when expected, but inside I was spiraling.What type of women?

Had Damien dated models? Heiresses? Women who knew exactly how to work a room like this without feeling like an imposter?

Every time I glanced at him, he looked tense-jaw tight, eyes hard, hand gripping his glass a little too firmly. He kept his other hand on my leg the whole time, thumb stroking soothing circles, like he knew I was unraveling.

I barely tasted the food.

When dessert finally came and went, I couldn’t take it anymore. needed air. Space. A moment to breathe.

“Excuse me,” I said quietly, standing. “I’m just going to the restroom.”

Damien stood too, ever the gentleman, his eyes searching mine. “You okay?”

I forced a smile. “Fine. Be right back.”

I walked away on legs that felt too shaky, weaving through tables until I reached the hallway with the restrooms. I slipped inside, grateful it was empty, and stopped in front of the mirror.

My reflection stared back-cheeks flushed, eyes too, wide.

The red dress suddenly felt too loud, too much.

Innocent.I gripped the marble counter, trying to slow my breathing.

Had I really thought I was making progress? That I could fit into Damien’s world? One comment from a stranger, and everything I’d built up in my head came crashing down.

I wasn’t the woman he needed. Not really.

I straightened my shoulders, smoothed my hair, and told myself to pull it together. I could do this. I had to.

I stepped out of the restroom-and froze.

Standing there, arms crossed, a cold smirk on her perfect red lips, was the last person on earth I wanted to see.