Chapter 11
Chapter eleven
Damien
Inever let Luna out of my sight as I make my way through the crowd, shaking hands and accepting congratulations on another successful benefit. Last year’s event raised over five million for the foundation. We’re on track to exceed that tonight.
“Damien Wolfe, as I live and breathe.”
The voice hits me like a cascade of ice water as Francesca Vega steps in front of me, blocking my path back to Luna.
She stands closer than appropriate, her red dress cut in a dramatic V that draws attention to the cleavage she’s spent considerable money perfecting.
Her smile promises things I have zero interest in.
“Francesca. I didn’t know you were in Denver. Or that you were on the guest list.”
Nothing in my tone gives away the irritation at seeing my ex.
If you can even call her an ex. Ours wasn’t a relationship.
It was a fuckfest that turned into a shitshow of epic proportions.
We fucked for three weeks, longer than I’ve fucked any other woman, other than Luna.
But when it had run its course for me and I stopped answering her calls, she didn’t take it well, to say the least. It took months for me to get her off my back, and it was only after I introduced her to an acquaintance who was into her kinks that she stopped harassing me.
“Just flew in yesterday. When I heard about the benefit, I simply had to attend. Tiffany was so gracious to extend the last-minute invitation.”
I need to have a talk with my EA.
She places her hand on my arm, her red nails standing out against the black of my tux. “You know how I adore your passion for animals.”
I remove her hand. Every part of me recoils from the contact, from any touch but Luna’s.
“Your donation is always appreciated. If you’ll excuse me—”
“Don’t be so cold, darling.” She steps closer, the scent of her heavy perfume making me want to step back, but Damien Wolfe doesn’t retreat. “We had such fun together. Don’t you miss me… even a little?”
I spot Luna with Cade over her shoulder. The way she carries herself, confident and at ease despite the opulent surroundings, makes Francesca’s practiced seduction seem cheap and tawdry in comparison.
“No, I don’t. It was six years ago, Francesca. We’ve both moved on.”
Her smile falters, then hardens. “Have we?” She turns, following my gaze to Luna. “Ah. Not your usual type, is she?”
Luna and Cade reach us before I can respond.
My hand moves to Luna’s back without thought, settling low, fingers splayed wide.
The touch anchors me as her scent wraps around me.
My breathing evens out. The tension in my shoulders loosens.
And yes, everyone watching will know exactly what this means.
Mine.
“Luna, this is Francesca Vega. We knew each other some years ago.” The past tense is deliberate. “Francesca, Dr. Luna Foster.”
Francesca’s gaze slides over Luna from head to toe. Her lips curve into something that might be called a smile if it held any warmth.
“A doctor? How impressive.” Francesca’s tone makes it clear she finds it anything but. “What kind of medicine do you practice?”
“I’m a wildlife veterinarian.” Luna’s smile is unwavering. “I run a sanctuary for injured and rehabilitating wild animals.”
“A veterinarian?” Francesca’s eyebrows rise. “How… untamed. I suppose someone has to look after the wild things.”
My jaw tightens, anger rising at Francesca’s condescending snub of what Luna does, but Luna just laughs. The sound is genuine, not forced or awkward, and it catches Francesca off guard.
“Definitely untamed. Last month, I had to remove shotgun pellets from the rear end of a 400-pound black bear.” Luna takes a sip of her champagne, her eyes dancing with amusement. “But I do get to wear much more comfortable shoes to work than these heels. That’s a definite perk.”
Cade chuckles under his breath, and even I can’t help the smile that tugs at the corner of my mouth, despite the unwelcome reminder of Luna’s injury. Francesca’s face hardens for a split second before her social mask snaps back into place.
“How fascinating. Damien has always had such diverse tastes.” She turns to me, disregarding Luna. “We must catch up properly before I leave town. Call me.”
“I’m afraid my schedule is quite full. Perhaps next time you’re in Denver.”
Which will hopefully be never.
Francesca’s smile doesn’t reach her eyes. “You always did play hard to get, darling. It’s what made the chase so delicious.” She glances at Luna again. “Enjoy the benefit, Dr. Foster. I hope some of these wealthy patrons can spare a thought for your bears.”
With that parting shot, she slinks away into the crowd, the exaggerated sway of her hips doing nothing for me.
Luna watches her go. “Well, she’s delightful. Former girlfriend?”
“Briefly,” I admit. “It was over quickly once I realized she saw animals as accessories rather than living beings.”
Luna’s posture doesn’t change. No jealousy tightens her features, and no insecurity creeps into her expression.
“I’m going to guess a tiny purse dog she dyed red to match her outfit?”
The accuracy of her guess startles a laugh out of me. “A Pomeranian. And it was pink.”
“Even worse.” She sighs, her sympathy for the dog obvious. “Well, she’s certainly beautiful.”
“She’s nothing compared to you.”
It’s happening more and more. This loss of control, this honesty that slips past my walls.
Color blooms across her cheeks. Her gaze drops, then rises to meet mine.
“Smooth talker.”
I move into her space, close enough to catch the hitch in her breathing.
“Not smooth. Honest.”
Her lips part. The blush spreads down to her collarbone, visible above the neckline of her dress. She toys with the stem of her glass, suddenly fascinated by it.
“You’re staring,” she whispers.
“I know.”
For the next hour, Luna accompanies me as I make my way around the room, introducing her as I play the role of the charming host, thanking donors, discussing the foundation’s achievements, and shaking hands with politicians and celebrities whose support lends credibility to our cause.
Luna is magnificent, moving through the crowd with effortless grace.
When the governor pulls me aside, she assures me she’ll be fine.
It takes longer than I anticipated, and when I return to the ballroom, I see her engaged in an animated conversation with a photographer whose work we’ve featured in our campaigns.
I watch as she uses her hands to demonstrate something that looks like the wingspan of a bird of prey, given her gestures. The photographer grins like she’s just made his entire night. Everyone she talks to comes away smiling. She has that effect on people. On animals. On me.
But watching her captivate another man makes my hands curl into fists at my sides.
The photographer is harmless. Cade mentioned something about a husband, but that knowledge does nothing to stop the heat climbing up my neck.
Logic doesn’t touch this. Sharing her feels like bleeding out in slow motion.
I want her attention. All of it. Only on me.
I start moving without conscious thought, determined to reclaim what’s mine when Cade appears at my elbow.
“A word?”
We move to a quieter corner of the ballroom. It’s only because I’m eager to hear what he thinks after the time he spent with Luna that I let him delay me from going to her, but my gaze stays on her.
Cade glances toward her, then back to me. “She’s remarkable.”
“Yes, she is.” I don’t bother hiding the pride, the hunger, and the possessiveness in my voice.
“That’s the problem, Damien. You’re in too deep. I can see it in how you look at her. This definitely isn’t just about sex anymore.”
“I already told you that.”
“But I don’t know if I’d call it love either.
It’s different seeing you with her in person, not just watching you watch her through monitors like some lovesick stalker.
” He meets my gaze. “You’re losing it. The look you were giving that photographer—it’s the same look you get right before you kill someone. ”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“I’m serious. You looked ready to walk over there and rip his head off with your bare hands.”
Because I was.
“Your point?”
“My point is, you can’t hide yourself from her much longer. Not when you’re two seconds from murdering harmless photographers. So, what’s your plan? She’s not stupid, Damien. I’ve seen her studying you tonight, like she’s trying to make sense of what she’s seeing.”
I rake my hand through my hair. How many times are we going to have this conversation?
“I’m working on it, Cade. So back the fuck off. I’ll tell her when I’m ready.”
“When? Because this thing between you two—” He gestures between Luna and me. “—is a lit fuse, and it’s going to explode in your face. All our faces.”
“I said I’ll handle it.” The words come out steady, but my gut tells a different story.
Cade sighs. “Now that I’ve met her, I see why she’s captivated you. She’s everything you said she was. Brilliant, passionate, genuine, but you need to pull it together.”
Luna approaches, a glass of champagne in her hand, her eyes bright.
“There you are. I was thinking you’d abandoned me to the wolves.”
I’m the only wolf in your life, little doe.
“Never. Just fulfilling my duties as host.”
“Well, you’re very good at it, even if you hate every minute.
” She touches my arm, and even through the layers of my tuxedo, the heat of her fingers seeps into my skin.
Her touch is the worst kind of agony, but I want to drown in the pain.
“I just met Senator Howard. He told me the foundation is funding a new wildlife corridor through three counties. That’s incredible, Damien. Why didn’t you tell me?”