A Tempting Arrangement (Twisted Vows Book 1)

43. Misty

“Did you want a—”Whatever I was about to ask evaporates from my mind when I spot Damon standing in front of the mirror in my small bathroom. His hair’s slicked back, wet from his shower, and I follow a rivulet as it makes its way down the curves and valleys of his chest and disappears into the towel slung low around his hips.

My cheeks heat as I slowly make my way back up, taking in every detail of his tanned, cut body. His muscles twitch under my gaze, and he leans into me when I reach out to touch him.

“If you keep looking at me like that, I’m never getting out of here.”

The reminder of him leaving has the muscles in my back tightening, and I cross my arms in front of me. “What if I said I didn’t want you to go?”

Matthias called an hour ago to let us know he’d set up a meeting with the Ricci family tonight. Everything in me screamed to not let him go. That there’s no way it’s not dangerous. Damon, on the other hand, doesn’t seem worried at all.

He moves toward me, cupping my face between both palms. “It’s adorable when you worry about me, but I promise I’ll be fine. No one would dare start anything in the Vaults.”

I let out a breath and lean against the doorway, not exactly happy about this whole thing. I didn’t like that he was even having to do this because of me, no matter how pleased I am that he’d gone a little crazy after seeing my scars. ’Cause let’s face it, that’s hot.

Damon kisses between my brows before turning back to the sink and using a round bristle brush to lather shaving cream and apply it to his face. The sweet smell of sandalwood fills my nose, and I can’t help but move in closer.

I follow his hand as he drags the blade of his razer down in a perfect line along his cheeks. I have no idea what’s overcome me, but I’m suddenly asking, “Can I shave you?”

Damon smiles, the cream on his face making him look funny as he says, “Is this an attempt to slit my throat with a blade?”

“I…I don’t know. Forget it.” My neck and cheeks heat with embarrassment, and I take a step toward the exit.

Damon wraps his hand around my waist, stilling me as he holds out the razor. “Have you done this before?”

“No.” I bite my lip because I’m starting to question this entire idea.

“Okay.” He sits on the edge of the tub, spreading his knees, then gestures me between them.

I bite my lip as the edge of his towel spreads, revealing more of his thighs, but not quite high enough to see what I want.

“Eyes up here, Little Nymph.” Damon’s smirking at me, and I blush again.

I huff. “This is totally not my fault. If I was just in a towel, you know you’d be looking.”

Damon’s eyes go dark, and he catches the bottom of my dress, tugging me closer. There’s a gleam to his eyes that I don’t quite make out until it’s too late.

White lather is spread across my exposed chest, my low neckline providing plenty of real estate for his assault. I squeal and tug his ears backward, trying to break free, but both his arms are wrapped around me, locking me in place.

He laughs, full and deep, and the smile he lands on me takes my breath away. His normally cloudy gray eyes are crystal clear, capturing all the light in the room as he looks up at me. My heart swells in my chest, my lungs struggling to fill against my tight rib cage. I think I’d do anything to have him look at me like this again.

Damon cups the back of my neck and pulls my lips to his. I don’t even care that the taste of shaving cream fills my mouth or that it covers my cheeks. Not when he’s kissing me so gently, owning me to my very soul.

He doesn’t let go until he’s explored every inch of my mouth, and still, his eyes don’t leave mine.

“You are beautiful.” His voice is reverent. He grabs the towel from the bar and proceeds to wipe off my cheeks, down my neck, and over the swells of my cleavage.

His touch makes my body come alive, and the realization that I love Damon slams into me. I thought I’d been smart enough to protect my heart, but this man’s been smashing down any wall I put between us. I don’t say the words. Can’t say them. Not when all of this will end, but that doesn’t stop my heart from aching.

“You going to start, or are you just going to keep staring? I’m okay with both,” Damon says smugly.

I roll my eyes and hold the razor to his cheek, not nearly as confident now that I’m about to start. His hand covers mine, and he slowly guides the blade to his skin, dragging it downward, showing me how to do it.

He lets go of me, and we’re silent as I concentrate, taking care not to nick him. His breaths fan over my fingers as I make my way around his mouth in short, controlled strokes. The air feels thick around us, tension building with each second he trusts his face in my hands. Shit. I need to get a hold of myself.

I push distracting thoughts about him aside, switching them with the upcoming auction for Mia’s charity. I’d demanded being able to keep planning it, even after Damon had pulled an overbearing move and changed my job to his personal PR. He’d agreed to his brother and him participating in the auction, and at the time, I’d been thrilled, but now I’m less than happy to have someone else bid on a date for my husband.

The razor scratches a bit too hard, and Damon’s eyes slit open, peering up at me with one raised brow.

I let out a breath. “So I was thinking. Since we’re publicly married now. I don’t think you should be bid on at Mia’s gala.”

“You’ll be the one that wins. Just bid whatever it takes.”

I make a displeased sound in response, still not happy about the bidding itself.

He hums in the back of his throat. “You’re cute when you’re jealous.”

I hold the razor up like a threat, and he just laughs.

He strokes his thumb over my jaw. “Always be like this with me.”

My legs go weak, and I place a hand on his shoulder for balance. Trying to play it off like he’s not absolutely destroying me with his words, I play along. “You’re obsessed with me, aren’t you?”

He pulls my face to his, his lips rubbing against mine. “Something like that.”