7. Damien
Damien
M orning sex.
The best fucking way to start a day.
My thoughts were consumed by the woman in my bed, the softness of her skin beneath my fingertips and the way her pussy spasmed around me, strangling my dick while creating the best mind-blowing torture. Everything about Ella was perfection, from her soft mews to the way she screamed my name as she was falling apart. A few frantic thrusts more and my orgasm hit with the power of a barreling freight train. Stars exploded in supernovas as I let out a loud rumbling roar. With my heart beating in double time, I slowly did the one thing I didn’t want to do—disconnect our union.
Ella rolled beneath me, her shining blue eyes stared up at me, and her smile grew. “I agree.”
Lying to her side with my elbow on the pillow and my head held by my fist, I felt a twinge from the damage I’d done to my right hand. Stifling a grimace, I asked, “Pray tell, what do you agree with?”
Ella scooted up against the headboard and took my right hand in hers. “Oh, Damien, we never put ice on this.” Her nose scrunched. “It looks a little better. How does it feel?”
I stretched out my fingers a couple of times. Each assertion ached, yet everything moved, making me relieved I hadn’t broken anything. That wasn’t true. I would be happy to learn I broke my brother’s nose. “I hope it feels better than Darius’s face.”
With a scoff, she shook her head before placing kisses on my bruised knuckles. “You could have it looked at today at the hospital.”
Hospital.
“Fuck.” I spun and flung back the blankets. “What time is it?” Standing fully nude, I turned this way and that, looking for my phone as simultaneously, the world beyond our bubble came crashing down upon my shoulders.
“Your phone is plugged in by the desk.”
Plugged in.
I couldn’t recall plugging it in last night, or before we fell asleep.
By the time I reached for my phone, Ella was beside me, wrapped in a sheet. In the middle of my mental chaos, she was standing before me, a Greek goddess. Laying her fingers on my arm, she explained, “I woke up earlier and checked both of our phones. I couldn’t get yours to respond so I plugged it in.”
I let my phone die.
That was something I’d never do, had never done.
Fuck.
“I’m supposed to be the one taking care of you.”
“That’s not completely true,” she said with a grin. “I’m not a delicate flower in danger of wilting.”
“You’re not. I still like taking care of you.” My smile returned. “Dressing you.” I teased the sheet from her breasts. “Undressing you.”
“I like that too. I also like taking care of you. I know you want the world to see you as invincible. Remember, I know you. I can love you for your obstinate alpha ways and also for a man who is better with me by his side.”
Her words faded as the screen of my phone came to life. “It’s after one.”
Sunday afternoon.
This had to be the longest day in the history of days.
Ella’s eyes opened wide. “Shit. Is there any news from the hospital?” She turned toward our luggage. “What time is checkout?”
“We didn’t indicate we were leaving today,” I mumbled as I took in the number of missed calls and text messages. Instead of reading, I hit the icon next to my mother’s name. As her phone rang in my ear, I met Ella’s worried gaze. The room around us stilled; only the hum of the air conditioner was present. Finally, Mom answered.
“Damien, where are you?”
My free hand ran over my mussed hair. “Fuck, Mom. Asleep. I haven’t slept like that in…” I looked over again at Ella. “…in a long time. How is Dad? How are you? Is the security team there?”
“Your dad is still sleeping. His blood pressure started to go up. The nurses said it was probably from pain, so they increased his pain medication.” She took a ragged breath. “I’m looking at the monitors now. His numbers are better.”
I let out a sigh of relief. “That’s good to hear. What about the security?”
“They’re here. A man named Conner introduced himself to me. He promised to keep Darius and Amber away.” She sighed. “Oh, your father would be furious, but I won’t put up with the tension. There’s too much.”
“If Dad is upset, he can be upset with me. I don’t give a shit.” I scoffed. “Fuck, let him be mad. That means he’s doing better.”
“I love you.”
My voice softened. “Love you too, Mom.”
“How is Ella?”
My cheeks rose. “She’s perfect.” She was no longer standing in the doorway. I could hear sounds coming from the other room.
“Tell her thank you.”
“Thank you?”
Mom’s voice sounded lighter. “If you slept that well, I bet she had something to do with it.”
“She did. We’ll be to the hospital as soon as we can.”
“Damien, you should go back to Indy. Your dad is as steady as he can be. Dani is waiting for your call. We met with Stephen this morning. Danielle has voting proxy for Derek and me. Gloria has called a board meeting for nine o’clock tomorrow morning.”
“Fuck,” I growled, my grip of the phone tightening.
“You take care of Sinclair. I know you can.”
My head was buzzing as I clenched my teeth. “I will.”
“Keep me informed.”
“Will do. Bye.”
Ella was back to the doorway to the living area, her arms crossed over her breasts and the white sheet still her only clothing. “Your dad?”
“Same. Mom said they upped his pain meds.”
“What upset you?”
“Gloria Wilmott called an executive board meeting for nine tomorrow morning.”
Ella inhaled and nodded. “What do you think our chances are of pulling some strings at city hall?”
“What strings?”
“We need our marriage license, and we need it today. I don’t know many court clerks who work on Sunday.”
I eased a bit of the pressure on my molars.
Pulling strings.
Getting favors.
My life was spinning out of control, but I still had tricks up my sleeve—well, if I was wearing sleeves. “We’re getting that license today.”
“You sound confident.”
“As confident as I am that tonight, you’ll be screaming my name back in Carmel.”
Ella snagged her lower lip with her teeth. “I’m not sure about cohabitation. I mean…five months, remember? Keeping this marriage a secret.”
Stepping closer, I lifted her chin. “You’re mine. Today we’ll have the license to prove it. I don’t give a damn if we’re at my place or yours. As of sometime early this morning, they both became ours .”
She opened her eyes wide. “Can Stephen postdate a prenup?”
I stood taller. “A prenup? Are you protecting your assets?”
“Yours.”
Pressing my lips together, I shook my head. “Tell me, did you marry me for my money?”
Ella’s smile turned sultry. “Yes, and for your cock. Especially for your cock.”
“We’ll work this out. One thing at a time.”
“I didn’t marry you for your money,” she said, “and I’m willing to sign a prenup to prove that.”
I tugged at the sheet as the rich aroma of coffee awakened my taste buds. “I’ll make you a deal.”
Ella gasped as the sheet fell to the floor. “Damien.”
“Walk that sexy ass over to the coffee while I call Johnathon and get things moving with the marriage license.”
“That’s not a deal. What do I get?”
“My cock whenever and wherever you want it.”
She hummed and tapped her finger on her chin, pretending to think over my offer.
“Oh, one more thing,” I said as I leaned down to give her a kiss. Just as quick, I reached for her elbow and spun her away. My hand landed with a loud slap to her ass.
“Ow,” she squealed as she jumped away.
“Now I get to watch that sexy ass with my handprint in bright red.”
Her eyes sparkled as she backed away from me. “You used your right hand. Did it hurt?”
“Like a motherfucker.”
“Good.” She turned back around, swaying her behind and giving me the view I wanted.