Chapter 16
fifteen
Lily
It’s been almost two weeks since I met the mysterious masked man at Shadows and had the best orgasm of my life.
And, it’s been a week since I met Jack.
I can’t stop thinking about the man from Shadows, but it’s Jack who keeps blowing up my phone with requests for a date. He was a nice guy and great-looking, but there’s just something stopping me from agreeing to a date.
As I sit at my desk, a jumble of papers surrounding me like lost dreams, the familiar hum of the office falls silent as the phone rings.
I take a steadying breath, ready to greet the client with the professionalism I wear like armor.
Still, when I answer, a voice slips through the line.
It's calm, confident, and eerily familiar, sending shivers along my spine as memories dance just out of reach.
“Hello, this is Lily from Sunnyvale Real Estate,” I say, my voice even, masking the flutter of nerves that spike in my chest.
“Hi, I’m looking to schedule a showing for the Anderson Building on Main Street,” he replies, his voice a smooth timbre that sends ripples of recognition skittering across my mind.
“Of course! We have a few available times. May I have your name?” I ask, pulling up the listing on my computer, eager to manage this transaction. His voice sounds familiar, but I’m not sure exactly where I know it from.
“Damon,” he replies, and something in the way he says it sends a familiar rush through me, sparking an intense confusion that blooms in my chest, a memory half-formed but tantalizingly out of reach.
Damon? My heart races, and I can’t help but momentarily fall silent, the words caught in my throat.
I force my professional facade back into place, swallowing the surprise down with the lump of anticipation that forms in my throat.
Is this the man from my first showing with Jennifer?
The same one who watched me like I was his prey, but never called back to put down an offer on the building?
“Yes, the Anderson Building is a fantastic property! It has panoramic views of Sunnyvale and the ocean beyond. What time were you hoping to see it?” I ask, trying to maintain my composure as I pull up the schedule.
He shares a time that fits neatly with my calendar.
Still, I am acutely aware of the nagging familiarity in his voice, the way it resonates deep within me reminds me of how I’ve felt that confidence before, shrouded beneath the masks of Shadows.
My mind wanders back to the night spent in the arms of a stranger, and the flutter of desire rips through my chest as I grapple with the undeniable spark that ignites with each of his words.
“Great, I’ll pencil you in for tomorrow at three.” I continue, fumbling to maintain my professional demeanor, even as the connection sends electricity coursing through my veins. “Can you please confirm your contact number?”
He rattles it off, his voice fluid and captivating, and I feel a wave of uncertainty wash over me.
The entire exchange has an intensity that pulls me in—how is it possible I feel this drawn to someone I don’t truly know?
Just yesterday, I stood on the brink of fantasy, swept away by the allure of Shadows and the mystery of the masked man.
“Is there anything specific you’d like to know about the property before our meeting?” I inquire, my voice steady but laced with tension, eager to steer the conversation away from my own internal whirlwind of thoughts.
Damon asks a few insightful questions, keeping our conversation afloat with ease as I share my knowledge of the building's features. Each inquiry fuels that underlying connection, awakening memories of shared intimacy and desire, and the sense of familiarity clings to the edges of my consciousness.
“There are stunning spaces perfect for hosting events,” I say, feeling the excitement build. “It’s perfect for entertaining clients, too, especially with the views. They’re really breathtaking.” I take a breath, savoring the way my words escape, even as the past lingers in the periphery of my mind.
Damon listens attentively, punctuating my descriptions with thoughtful affirmations.
As I navigate this professional interaction, I feel a subtle tugging at my heart with a curiosity piquing beneath my careful control.
There’s something so alluring about this conversation that feels like an echo from a night steeped in desire, tempting me to lose myself once more.
The final arrangements are made, and as the call draws to a close, I feel that thrilling knot of familiarity settling into my chest. “Thank you, Damon. I look forward to meeting you tomorrow,” I reply, the tension in my voice dancing in time with the thrill of possibility.
“Me too, Lily,” he says. The way he speaks my name feels like he’s caressing my body. It pulls at the very core of me, igniting flickers of connection, and I know my life is about to be further entwined with the shadows of this man who draws me in like a moth to a flame.
As I hang up, the phone falls to my desk with a soft thud, and I take a moment to catch my breath.
The walls of my office close in on me as excitement and confusion swirl together in a dizzying dance.
I have to remember that I’m standing at the precipice of something.
What does it mean to desire someone without knowing them?
The thrill of the unknown beckons, calling me back toward the shadows where everything seems possible.
Driving through Sunnyvale, Mel calls me.
“Hey,” I answered.
“So, Jack keeps bugging me about a date he keeps asking you on. Are you ghosting him?” She asks.
“I’m not ghosting him, I’m just not sure if I want to date him,” I reply honestly.
Someone honks behind me. “Are you driving?” Mel questions.
“Yeah, I’ve got a showing. I think it’s that hot guy from a few weeks ago.” I smile to myself.
“Oh, nice!” she squeals. “Maybe he will ask you out?” I can hear people talking in the background, and I can tell that she is at her office.
My heart flutters at the thought, but really, the only man I care to do anything with is one whom I don’t even know.
“Hey, I am pulling up to the building. I will see you at home.” I end the call before Mel can say anything else. Sometimes she can be unpredictable.
As I pull into the driveway of the Anderson Building, the sun hangs low, casting a warm glow across the sleek architecture that rises before me with a striking beacon of possibility.
I can’t help but feel a flutter of anticipation in my chest, eager to meet the man whose voice had ignited a whirlwind of emotions, a flicker of something deeper bubbling just beneath the surface.
The building stands impressive against the skyline, its clean lines and expansive glass windows reflecting the hues of sunset in mesmerizing patterns.
I step out of my car, letting the weight of the day’s anticipation roll off my shoulders as I take a moment to admire the exterior.
This is a space that promises potential—a place where dreams could unfold amidst its polished surfaces.
With each step I take toward the entrance, I feel my heart quicken.
The sight of the building elicits a mix of nerves and excitement that collides into a heady cocktail, thrilling in its unpredictability.
I imagine the countless memories waiting to be made within its walls, how it might transform the lives of its future occupants.
As I cross the threshold and enter, the spacious lobby unfolds before me like a blank canvas, the ambiance tinged with an electric quality that excites my senses. The floor is polished, gleaming like the ocean's glossy surface, and I catch the faint scent of fresh paint and opportunity.
I pull out my phone to double-check the time, excitement thrumming beneath the surface as I anticipate Damon’s arrival. Just then, the door swings open, and I turn, ready to greet him, my breath hitching in my throat.
He steps through, a vision clad in a tailored suit that fits him like a second skin, dark hair tousled just right, adding to his commanding presence. My pulse quickens, caught off guard by the undeniable attraction that sparks between us like static electricity.
“Lily,” he greets me, his voice smooth as silk, and it wraps around me like a warm embrace, igniting all the fantasies I’ve kept hidden within. “Thanks for meeting me here.”
I nod, momentarily speechless as I take in every detail of him and the strong lines of his jaw, the depth of his dark brown eyes, and the quiet confidence that radiates from him.
“Of course, I’m excited to show you the space,” I finally replied, forcing myself to break the spell.
“I assume the last property we viewed wasn’t to your liking? ” I ask nervously.
“I did like it, and I’m still talking with my investors about it. However, I really wanted you to show me this property. Just you.”
His eyes bore into mine, and I shiver from the look of absolute hunger he’s giving me.
“Oh,” I quip
As we begin to walk through the vacant offices, the atmosphere crackles with tension.
I highlight the property's features, with each room showcasing breathtaking views of Sunnyvale and the ocean beyond.
But as I lead him deeper into the space, every word feels charged, imbued with an attraction I can hardly suppress.
“What do you think?” I ask, gesturing toward a large window framing the expansive view. “This space would be perfect for client meetings, offering an incredible backdrop that’s hard to resist.”
He steps closer, his presence enveloping me as he peers out over the landscape.
“It’s remarkable,” he replies, and I can feel the warmth of his gaze lingering on my face as if he’s seeing right through to my thoughts.
The way he looks at me makes my skin tingle; a connection blooms amidst the open space, impossibly palpable.