11. Chapter 9 #2
It turns out that Damien is the man who opens the door for a woman, supports her elbow as she gets in, and waits to close the door until she has buckled her seatbelt. He seems to be a gentleman through and through.
Soon after, we’re sitting at a table in an Italian restaurant. The candlelight dances between us, creating a romantic atmosphere.
Our conversation is light, as if we’ve known each other for a long time. The waiter brings our order, but I get the impression that we’re more interested in the conversation itself than in what’s on our plates.
Damien tells funny stories from his life. “You have a beautiful laugh,” he tells me.
A modest smile spreads across my lips. “Thank you.”
“I’ll be honest, I can’t take my eyes off you. You’re so cheerful and charming. That’s why I’m rambling on like a madman: so I can hear your laugh again.”
I stare into his brown eyes. “You’re one of the good ones, aren’t you?”
For a moment, he doesn’t understand what I mean, but when he does, he turns serious. “I know nothing about that, Lily.”
I’m about to correct him when I realize that’s the name I gave him. Lily Montgomery. The temptation to tell him the truth is strong. But I can’t. And I don’t want to yet. The time will come when I reveal this secret to him.
“Do you think you’re not a good man?”
Damien takes my hand from the table, lifts it to his lips, and kisses my knuckles. As our hands drift downward, he doesn’t let go.
“I won’t hide the fact that I’ve done a lot of bad things in my life. I’ve done good things too, but—I just don’t feel like anyone special or good.”
Something in his tone of voice nags at me, but I can’t pinpoint it.
“Do you want to tell me what kind of bad things you’ve done in your life?” I press him.
“Maybe another time. I’m here to seduce you, to enchant you, not to push you away.”
I’m a little surprised. “And you’re talking about this so freely? About what your plans are for me?”
His smile widens. Watching me like a hawk, he licks his lips, and my treacherous eyes commit every second to memory.
“Life is too short not to speak openly about what you want. That, and not to pursue what you desire in life.”
“And you want…?” I say, almost in a whisper.
“You,” he finishes for me. “I want you. You know that, Lily.”
His bluntness is refreshing and alluring. Maybe it should scare me off, but it’s the exact opposite.
“What if I don’t feel the same way?”
“Then you wouldn’t be here. It’s that simple.
But that’s not the case, is it? I saw it in your eyes when we met, and I see it now.
There’s an attraction between us we’d both like to explore.
Because when I first saw you out there on the dance floor, it wasn’t just an ‘I’d sleep with her’ kind of thing.
And even though I can’t put my finger on what it is, I knew in that moment that it was something different. ”
Damien leans in, turns my hand over, and kisses my wrist. A shiver runs down my arm.
I gather my courage, raise my chin, and whisper, “You’re right. So we’ll just see where this takes us?”
“I think so. That’s exactly what I’d like.”
Golden flecks in his eyes sparkle as I nod.
“A chance. That’s all I’m asking for,” he adds. “Now tell me the first thought that crossed your mind when you woke up this morning.”
My eyes roll, but a smile spreads across my face. Of course I’m not telling the truth; I make up a funny minor story and amuse him until he burst into loud laughter. And I take great pleasure in being able to do this.
From that moment on, the conversation takes a lighter turn. We talk about plans for the future, and a little about the past. We talk about everything and nothing in particular. Time seems to vanish before our eyes.
Relaxed, we smile all evening. Damien turns out to be a funny guy, well established in life, and popular. Now and then his phone vibrates on the table, but he ignores it.
A notification pops up on my phone screen, accompanied by a vibration. A quick glance reveals Eli’s name. I resist the urge to roll my eyes—of course he chose this exact moment to text.
“Read the message. I don’t mind,” Damien says.
There’s nothing on his face to suggest he’s upset or angry. There’s only understanding.
EliZoe, answer the phone. We need to talk.
At the top of the screen, I do indeed see seven missed calls. I don’t check if they’re all from him; it doesn’t matter. How did I not notice this sooner?
ZoeNot now. I’m busy.
I look at Damien. I don’t know what to expect, but he’s just watching me. Waiting for me to finish. Apologetically, I glance at him as another message comes in.
EliI know you’re mad at me, but we need to talk about our last meeting. I need to see you.
A flush rises to my cheeks at the very thought of that moment. And I was doing so well at getting Elijah Montgomery out of my head.
ZoeWe’ll talk about it later. I’m kind of in the middle of a date.
For the next twenty seconds, Eli doesn’t reply. I know because I’m counting them. But when that message arrives, I choke on my saliva, and it’s not a pretty sight.
EliIf you want him to survive over 24 hours, don’t let him touch you.
Holy shit…