18. Chapter 15
Zoe
I’m doing my best to look extraordinary. My heart’s thumping so hard it hurts as I pull on black stockings.
Slow exhale. Let’s hope that calms my nerves.
Doubt sneaks into my mind like a thief in the night.
When I told Eli I knew exactly who Damien was, I wasn’t lying. His high-ranking position in Veirix only made things more difficult for me. I didn’t mention it to him. If Eli learned the truth, he would never in a million years allow another meeting with Damien. And Ryker would back him up.
That’s why they can’t discover the truth.
Not yet.
Red nails run along my leg and fasten the garters to my stockings.
Eli keeps popping into my thoughts. His face when he couldn’t win this battle against me.
His eyes, which expressed what his lips couldn’t say.
The thought of me being a mole was terrifying to him.
Given the chance, he would trade places with me in a heartbeat.
But he couldn’t.
He can’t.
Ever since then in Feather, he hasn’t left my side at all, appearing out of nowhere like a ghost. This alone complicates my plans.
He’s too close. Sensing something’s driving me, he’s growing suspicious.
Don’t screw this up, Zoe. There won’t be a second chance!
Closing my eyes, taking a few deep breaths, I push all the intrusive thoughts out of my head.
For this opportunity, I bought a new dress in a dark purple shade. Over my bare shoulders, I throw a white bolero. In the mirror’s reflection, a determined and fiery woman is visible. Here’s hoping Damien thinks the same thing, and that’ll let me sink my claws into him even deeper.
A hand instinctively wanders to my neck, where I wear a diamond necklace, a gift from Ryker.
During our meeting, we went over the plan and safety measures once more.
Pressing this diamond for three seconds activates an SOS signal.
Ryker, Theo, and Eli will at once be notified that I’m in deep trouble.
Hopefully, it’ll never come to that, and I won’t have to use it. Still, it’s good to know I have more than just my skills to rely on.
Any weapon could be a red flag for Damien if he found it, so that’s out of the question. That’s why I got a pair of diamond earrings to go with the necklace. One of them is a tracker in case location services are disabled on my phone, and the other is a bug.
Tiny as can be. But they could save my life.
I put my hands on my hips. My nerves are getting the better of me.
“Eli, if you can hear me, call,” I say, even though I’m completely alone in the apartment.
A few seconds pass before my phone rings and his name appears on the screen.
“Raven, are you okay?” Eli asks in a calm voice. I don’t know if that calmness is more for me or for him.
“Yes. I only wanted to check all these spy gadgets one more time.”
“They’re not spy gadgets,” he pants. “They’re safety measures.”
“Okay, okay.”
I press the earring, and Eli confirms that I’ve sent the signal and he can see my location. Then I do the same with the necklace. Once I’m sure everything is working, there’s a knock at the front door.
“I have to go, lover boy. He’s here,” I whisper.
“Take care of yourself, sweetheart.”
Stunned, I gape. Eli has never spoken to me that way. But before anything comes out of my mouth, he hangs up.
Picking up my small purse from the bed, I head for the door.
Damien’s waiting for me, standing with his legs a little apart. His hands are in pockets and his head bowed. At the sound of the lock, his head rises and warmth fills his eyes. A slow smile crosses his face.
“Lily,” he says, drawing out my name. “How is it possible that you’re even more beautiful than in my memories? They don’t do you justice.”
“We haven’t seen each other for a mere few days, so it’s impossible for you to have forgotten what I look like already.”
Damien takes a step forward, and the scent of his cologne envelops me. It’s sexy, with a hint of something sharp. Next, he moves closer and gives my lips a quick touch with his. “You’re right, there’s no way I could forget you. You’re constantly on my mind. It’s driving me crazy.”
I can’t tell if he’s being serious or joking, but since he’s smiling, I do the same thing. My hand lightly meets his firm chest. “It’s hard to believe a man such as yourself could be crazy about any woman.”
As I close the door behind me, a warm hand finds mine, and we walk side by side.
“I’m a normal man, and you’re the only woman who’s ever turned my head like this.”
If things were different, maybe I would believe such sweet little lies. Or maybe not. Something tells me this is closer to the truth than he realizes.
Damien showers me with compliments, one after another.
His driver maneuvers through the streets while he focuses all his attention on me.
I can’t say I’m not fond of it. It’s almost to the point where I struggle to remember my reason for being here.
But not even for a tick of the clock do I forget who the man sitting next to me is.
This time, he takes me to a small Italian restaurant.
“Would you fancy a glass of wine? You seem tense,” he says once the hostess has led us to our table.
I shift in my chair and drop my gaze. At first, I stay silent for dramatic effect, then I glance up at him from under my lashes. “I’m sorry. I won’t lie, I’m a little nervous.”
“Why?” he asks, genuinely curious, not taking his eyes off me. His face has a gentle expression. One corner of his mouth curves upward.
“I’ve truly been looking forward to this date. There was even a time when I thought you wouldn’t call. It’s how I am. When I like someone... I get a little nervous.”
Damien leans in, and a warm hand lands on my knee. My first instinct is to pull my leg back, but I catch myself and force my body to relax. It’s easy to sense that kind of tension in another person.
Damien’s thumb rubs the spot back and forth. I allow myself to fantasize it’s Eli’s hand warming that spot.
“I’m sorry, Lily. Work sometimes steals my time and doesn’t ask for permission. I didn’t mean to ignore you; it’s just that work turns into a crazy battlefield.”
A waitress in a white uniform interrupts us. “Welcome to Providence. I hope you’re having a lovely evening.” Damien’s hand disappears from my leg, yet the warmth remains there. “Are you ready to order? Perhaps I can recommend something?”
With gratitude, I accept when my date suggests he’ll order for the two of us. And as soon as the waitress walks away from the table, I continue the conversation. “So, what exactly do you do? It seems like work is a big part of your life.”
“Isn’t work important to all of us? I’m in sales. International contracts and distribution, you could say. But it’s a boring topic.”
Slippery bastard. At least he’s not lying.
Though it’s inelegant, I rest my elbow on the table and lean my chin on my hand. I continue the conversation. “On the contrary. It sounds very interesting. And a responsible job. I’m sure you’ve already had some successes.”
He laughs in a manner similar to someone who has heard a good joke. Then he answers, “You could say that. My company’s actually planning to take over a larger share of the American market, but also to expand into Europe. That’s why it’s such a busy time.”
“And what does your company deal in?”
The smile fades from Damien’s face for a little while.
Shit.
Inside, I panic that I’ve already raised the first red flag. I control that urge, though, since he has no idea. He can’t be aware of anything.
To authenticate myself, I created a life story online. A file, just in case he tried to check me out. I even took over one of the social media profiles with insignificant photos.
Finally, the suspicion fades from his face. Leaning back, he answers with such ease as if he were talking about the most boring job in the world. “It’s a pharmaceutical company.”
“You save people’s lives. That’s fascinating. Don’t downplay your contribution because what you do is important to the world,” I say.
“You know what? You’re right. It is important to the world, and besides bringing money to my table, it also gives me satisfaction. What kind of work do you do, Lily?”
Our waitress chooses this moment to bring our order.
She also brings two glasses of wine, which I taste right away.
I then repeat what he can find out about me online.
“I’m a freelance software developer. Mainly I work on game design, but I hope to spread my wings soon and find a more serious project. ”
Damien raises his eyebrows high. This news has surprised him. “Computers? I’m impressed. I would never have guessed.”
With pride, I raise my face. “That’s good. I like that I can surprise you.”
I don’t know how he’ll react. I’m constantly torn between being a submissive, soft woman who makes him feel like a big man, and my true self, glimpses of which he can catch through the cracks in my armor. But I have my answer when his eyes show a flicker.
“I like that too, but I like you more, Lily. Not just physically. Don’t get me wrong, because you’re a gorgeous woman. I also like what I observe in you. You told me you like me, and that’s why you’re nervous. Let me simply say you’re not alone in this. We’re on the same page.”
A blush creeps up my neck and pools on my face. Heat ignites my cheeks. “I don’t know what to say,” I say honestly.
“You don’t have to say anything.” Damien shrugs. “I just wanted you to know.”
How is it possible for this devil incarnate to be such a sweet guy? Either he’s a great actor or he has a split personality.
“Do you need help to find bigger gigs than the ones you have now? Let me know. I’ll ask the right people.”
“Thank you, Damien. I appreciate that.”
Regardless of whether it’s appropriate, he places a hand on my cheek and leans in, and his lips meet mine. The kiss is slow, and I’m responsive. His lips are soft and warm, with a faint taste of the wine he’d been sipping lingering on them.
But… Nothing.
No feelings.
Zero spark. Zero reactions.