The Billionaire's Secret Stripper

Sienna Harper felt the weight of every gaze on her as she strode into the shimmering ballroom of the Blackwood Tower, her long emerald gown hugging her curves like a second skin. The room was packed with New York’s elite—billionaires, celebrities, power players. Normally, she could handle these events with ease. Tonight was different. Tonight, she was walking into the lion’s den.

She kept her expression cool, indifferent as if the low hum of tension curling in her gut didn’t exist. This was work. Nothing more, nothing less. As the lead attorney representing one of the city’s largest real estate firms, she was here to secure a multi-million-dollar merger. Her reputation was on the line, and she didn’t need distractions.

But she was lying to herself, wasn’t she?

She was here for another reason, too. One that had her nerves coiling tight as a spring. Damon Blackwood—the billionaire she had been avoiding for weeks—was hosting tonight's event. And seeing him again, in his world, would be a collision she wasn’t sure she could survive.

Sienna adjusted her clutch, forcing her shoulders back as she crossed the room. As she scanned the crowd, her heart lurched when she spotted him. He was standing near the bar, leaning casually against the counter, a glass of scotch in hand. Damon Blackwood cut an imposing figure, tall and broad-shouldered, his tailored black suit doing little to mask the raw power simmering beneath. His dark eyes scanned the room like a predator surveying his territory.

Before she could slip away unnoticed, their eyes locked. The room faded, and everything and everyone else melted into the background. His gaze didn’t waver, and neither did his smirk—a dangerous, knowing curve of his lips.

He pushed off the bar, his steps purposeful as he made his way toward her. Sienna’s breath hitched, but she forced herself to stand tall, refusing to let him see how much his presence rattled her.

“Ms. Harper,” Damon drawled, stopping just inches from her, his voice a deep, velvet hum. “What a surprise to see you here.”

Sienna gave him a polite, businesslike smile, though inside, her pulse quickened. “I’m sure it is, Mr. Blackwood.”

“Damon,” he corrected smoothly, his eyes never leaving hers. “You know that.”

“I’m here for work,” she said sharply, hoping to cut the tension with professionalism. “I don’t have time for whatever game you think this is.”

He chuckled, the sound low and dangerous, sending a shiver down her spine. “Game? I’m not playing any games, Sienna. I just didn’t expect to see you at one of my events. But then again…” His gaze flicked down her body before returning to her eyes. “You always did surprise me.”

Her heart pounded. His meaning was clear—he remembered. The club, the secrets she had buried.

“That was a long time ago,” Sienna said, her voice tight. “I’m not that woman anymore.”

“Oh, I know.” Damon took a step closer, his presence overwhelming, his heat pressing against her like a storm about to break. “But that doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten her. Or you.”

Sienna swallowed hard, her throat dry. “We’re in a professional setting, Mr. Blackwood. Let’s keep it that way.”

Damon’s smirk grew wider, his gaze darkening with a dangerous edge. “I’ll agree to that—for now. But we both know this isn’t just business, Sienna.”

Her body betrayed her, a flicker of heat tightening low in her belly. She hated how easily he could get under her skin, how his presence stirred up memories she’d fought so hard to bury. Memories of when she wasn’t just a lawyer, but a woman he’d once watched dance under the dim lights of an exclusive club, where secrets were whispered and desires fulfilled.

But that was years ago. She had rebuilt her life since then. She wasn’t going to let him ruin it.

Sienna took a step back, needing to reclaim her composure. “Excuse me, Damon. I have clients to attend to.”

She turned to walk away, but his hand shot out, his fingers gently wrapping around her wrist. The touch was electric, igniting every nerve in her body.

“Don’t pretend you can just walk away from this,” Damon said, his voice low and intimate. “From us.”

“There is no ‘us,’” she said through clenched teeth, yanking her hand free. “There never was.”

For a second, something dark flashed in Damon’s eyes, but then it was gone, replaced by that infuriating smirk. “We’ll see about that.”

Without another word, Sienna turned and walked away, her heels clicking against the marble floor. She didn’t look back, but she could feel his eyes on her, burning into her as if claiming her all over again.

This wasn’t over.

Not by a long shot.