Chapter 12
I pull Andrea closer,her bare skin warm against mine. She nestles into the crook of my arm, head resting on my chest. Her hair tickles my nose, smelling of perfume and sweat.
Shes so quiet. Too quiet.
This isnt like her at all. My Andrea is passionate and fiery. The weight of tonights revelations must be crushing her.
Learning the man she trusted most has been lying, manipulating her this whole time. I know that soul-deep ache of betrayal all too well.
Memories of Natalies deception flood back, unbidden. The way my heart shattered when I realized shed been unfaithful with Ethan—my best friend. That sickening feeling of the ground crumbling beneath my feet.
I shake my head, banishing the ghosts of the past. Andrea needs me now, in this moment. I wont fail her like I failed myself back then.
Hey, I murmur, stroking her silky hair. Talk to me, babe.
She shifts, tilting her head up to meet my gaze. Those aquamarine depths are turbulent with a storm of emotions I cant begin to untangle.
I...I dont know what to say, she whispers, voice cracking. Everythings just...wrong. Upside down.
I know it is. I press a tender kiss to her forehead. But well get through this together, alright? Ive got your back.
She nods, blinking back tears. I trusted him, Damien. Brandon was...he was like a father to me.
The rawness in her voice cuts straight to my soul. I pull her tighter against me, as if I can absorb her pain through sheer force of will.
That sick son of a bitch took advantage of you, I growl. Used your trust to control you, keep you under his thumb.
Andrea flinches at my harsh tone. I force myself to soften, reining in the fury simmering inside me. Getting angry wont help her right now.
Sorry, babe. I just...the thought of someone hurting you like that... I trail off, jaw clenched.
I know. She rests her palm against my cheek, grounding me. Youre just trying to protect me. But Im tired of being the woman in need.
It wont always be like this.
Promise?
Yes, I promise. Well get to the bottom of this and get you back to what you love most. Music.
A weary smile tugs at her lips, and some of the tension seeps from my body. This woman, god. She sees right through me, even at her most vulnerable.
Thank you. She snuggles closer, basking in the protective embrace of my arms.
For a few blessed moments, the world shrinks down to just the two of us, cocooned in our private sanctuary. Then her brow furrows, a flicker of unease rippling across her delicate features.
What about the record deal, though? she asks softly. If Brandons been lying about all this other stuff...
Ah, there it is. The other bombshell I dropped tonight, on top of everything else.
You dont have to worry about that, I assure her. Ive got it all under control.
Her eyes widen, searching my face for answers. But...how? You said you bought out the label?
Guilty as charged. I cant help the proud grin spreading across my lips. Consider yourself an independent artist now, Miss Kingsley. No more controlling managers, no more strings attached.
A startled laugh bubbles up from her chest. You...you did that? For me?
Of course I did. I brush a stray curl from her face, cradling her cheek. Your music, your life...it should be yours, babe. No one elses.
Unshed tears glisten in her eyes as she gazes up at me, awestruck. In that moment, I know without a shadow of a doubt—Id tear down the whole goddamn world for this woman.
But how?
We can create a new contract for distribution and make it a collaboration with the label. This includes you retaining the rights to your previous works too.
Oh my god… That must have cost you a fortune.
Dont worry. It was an investment.
Thank you, she breathes, leaning in to capture my lips in a searing kiss.
I lose myself in the velvet heat of her mouth, the salty-sweet taste of her. This incredible, resilient woman owns every last shred of my blackened soul.
And I wouldnt have it any other way.
So, Damien, how did you find out about all this?
Andreas head tilts up, her clear eyes search mine. The transparency of her gaze reflects the fear she must be feeling right now.
For a moment, I weigh my options, debating whether to be honest with her or not. I dont want to underestimate her, not after everything shes been through. In the end, I decide to trust her. Shes proven herself to be stronger than she looks, and she deserves the truth.
My friend Ethan owns, among other things, a private technology and security company. His company is the one that currently backs up all of the clubs security systems.
What does that have to do with my stalker?
It has everything to do with it. When I heard about your alleged stalker, I asked Ethan to look into it. Ive had him on the trail of this man ever since.
And what did you find out?
Andreas face betrays her unease, as if shes eager to wrap this up and move on. Too bad for both of us, this wont be as straightforward as wed like.
This person, whoever they are, has been after you for a while now. Also, the lurker from the private concert was not the same person who wrote the letters. That guy was actually a nobody who was being paid to steal some of your belongings.
Do you know who paid him?
I nod. I believe that he’s a harmless, if slightly obsessive, fanatic. But that led me to discover other things. These letters, for example, have been sent to you for about five months now.
Five... five months? asks Andrea, and I nod.
Thats about the time you and Logan called it quits, I say, a pang of sadness in my voice.
In my possession, I have evidence that implicates Logan. For instance, some of the letters contain lyrics that heavily reference his new songs.
He couldnt. He wouldnt be able to...
Andreas eyes widen, fear creeping into them. Its only natural, I suppose. The idea of someone close by, watching her every move, is enough to unnerve anyone. But I wont let anything happen to her.
Some of the details within the letters are quite explicit. Whoever is sending them knows you well. Thats why I decided to get involved.
And this is why you bought the record label?
A successful record label is a good business to invest in, I state, deciding to downplay the matter.
But this is about more than investment, Damien. Its about my career. This is about me.
I know, and thats why I care about all of this. Because I cant let anyone hurt you, Andrea. Do you understand me?
My hands gently cup her face. I stare into her eyes, noticing how she looks both excited and afraid at the same time, but finally she nods.
This will affect the club, Damien.
I know.
In an indirect way, it already has, but thats not something I can tell her.
My obsession with this investigation has consumed me, distracting me from my friends lives—and Club Allure—and leaving me distant even when they need me most. But the thought of keeping Andrea safe from the lurking dangers weighs on my mind more with every passing day.
My hands clench into fists as memories of Logans smug face flood my mind. The white-hot rage I felt upon suspecting he was Andreas stalker nearly consumed me. I had to bite my tongue to keep from unleashing the violent storm brewing within. Thankfully, Ethan helped me regained control before doing something Id regret.
People know me and wouldnt be surprised if I fucked that dude up. But I didnt want to be the source of more tabloids for Andreas sake.
The red haze of rage had descended, visions of shattering his smug features dancing before my eyes. I wanted to smash his face in and leave that pretty mouth of his toothless, to make him feel the fear and vulnerability that Andrea now carried with her.
Only the rational voice deep within stayed my hand, reminding me that rash actions could jeopardize everything Im working towards. But that fury still simmers beneath the surface, a caged beast waiting for the right moment to strike.
The point is, Ill do everything in my power to stop all of this. You have to trust me.
When she nods again, I pull her close, allowing her face to nuzzle against my neck and as I run my fingers through her hair.
Her breathing gradually calms, and her shoulders relax.
I tilt my head towards hers, my breath catching in my throat as she lifts herself up, her body pressing deliciously against mine. Her lips part in anticipation, emerald eyes darkening with desire as they lock onto my mouth.
Andrea swings a leg over my body and lowers until her moist heat rests on my now rock-hard cock.
The air thickens with the electric tension between us, every nerve in my body thrumming with awareness of her proximity. And my need to be inside her.
My hands find her waist of their own accord, pulling her flush against me, as a grind my cock between her folds. She moans as our mouths finally collide in a searing kiss.
Her soft curves mold perfectly to the hard planes of my body, kindling a slow burn of need that courses through my veins.
She needs this, and I need her.
I lose myself in the velvet heat of her kiss, savoring the taste of her, the scent of her surrounding me until there is nothing else in the world but her.
I surrender myself hopelessly, knowing that I cant do anything else but belong to her. I cant be or do anything else. No matter how much it terrifies me, I know I have to give myself to the one person who could truly destroy me.
I have to remind myself that shes had an emotionally taxing day. Because all I want to do is drive deep into her heat.
Damien, please…
Andrea, youve had?—
Please….
Im a goner. Id deny her nothing.
I roll Andrea over until shes on her back.
I trace my fingers along Andreas soft skin, feeling her shiver beneath my touch. Her body is warm and all mine.
Today, we showed the strength of our connection. That she trusts me and Im willing to disregard all that I am to ensure her safety. But now is about pleasing her.
I lean in to kiss her, I can taste the sweetness of her lips, ready to explore every inch of her.
Youre mine, Andrea. This neck…
I start by kissing her neck, feeling her pulse quicken beneath my lips. She moans softly, and I can feel her body responding to my touch.
These breasts…
I move down to her breasts, taking my time to tease her nipples with my tongue. She arches her back, pressing herself against me, and I can feel my cock aching to be inside her.
But I continue to kiss my way down her body, savoring the taste of her skin. When I reach her pussy, I take a moment to admire her beauty.
Shes wet, and I can see her clit peeking out from between her folds.
And this pussy… I take a deep breath, inhaling her scent, and then I dive in.
Damien…
I start by licking her slowly, savoring the taste of her. She moans louder, and I can feel her body tensing up.
I use my fingers to spread her open, giving me better access to her clit, flicking my tongue against it, feeling her body jerk in response.
Her breathless moans and the way her hips bucked against my face told me she was close. I redoubled my efforts, licking and sucking her swollen clit with renewed fervor, my tongue swirling around it in a frenzy.
Her juices coated my chin as she writhed beneath me, her nails digging into my scalp, her body taut with mounting pleasure.
Finally, she cums, screaming my name as her body convulses. I continue to lick her, savoring the taste of her orgasm. Shes gasping for breath, and I smile up at her.
But Im not done. My cock throbs, aching with a need to be inside her.
I position myself above her, and she looks up at me, and I enter her slowly. Savoring the feeling of her tight pussy wrapped around my cock.
Fuck…. I growl.
Andrea moans, and bucks as I fill her up, and I allow myself to get lost in the sensation.
I start to move, thrusting in and out of her with a steady rhythm. She meets me thrust for thrust, and I can feel our bodies moving together in perfect harmony.
As we fuck, I can feel myself getting closer and closer to the edge. I can hear Andrea moaning my name, and I know that shes close too.
I reach down to rub her clit, and she cums again, screaming my name as her body convulses. I follow soon after.
Andrea, baby…
I know, she cups my face as I fill her with my cum.
This is the first time weve had sex without protection. And Ive never been raw inside a woman, but I know this woman will be my wife.