by Measha Stone
Serena rolled her eyes. “Thanks, but the extra few minutes won’t save me. That man has it in for me.”
“You don’t have to take his session requests,” Jason reminded her.
Serena straightened up and frowned, like the idea of turning him down was worse than accepting him.
“It’s fine. I can handle him.” She turned her gaze to Angel. “I hear you’re flying the coop.”
“Yes. Damien, the man I contracted at the party last night, is taking a long contract. I’m going to be staying with him for a while.” Angel slid past her into the apartment.
“I’ll meet Mr. Jones in the usual room downstairs, Jason. Thanks.” Serena shut the door and followed Angel into the living room, where Celeste sat curled up with a magazine.
“How long a contract?” Serena asked.
Celeste looked up from the magazine. “You took a long-term contract? With whom?”
“Damien,” Serena answered for Angel.
“The guy from the party?” Celeste put the magazine down. “You barely spent an hour with him.”
“I knew him in high school.” Angel waved a hand and marched into her bedroom. She pulled her suitcases from the closet and laid them open on her bed.
“Does he know how inexperienced you are?” Celeste demanded, barging into the room.
“Celeste—”
“Angel. You and I both know you don’t have anywhere near the experience you told Peter you had when he hired you. This could be dangerous.” Celeste plopped down on the bed beside the suitcases.
“I have to meet Mr. Jones, so I can’t stay, but, Angel, listen to Celeste. Okay?” Serena wrapped her arms around Angel in a tight squeeze. Her lavender perfume surrounded them both. “And, don’t forget to stop by to say hi, all right?”
“I promise.” Angel patted her hand and smiled. Serena frowned, but glided from the room.
“You have to tell him,” Celeste pressed.
“I already did.” Angel grabbed a fistful of hangers from the closet and brought the dresses to the bed. “I told him everything.” She yanked the hangers from each garment and went about packing them neatly into the suitcases.
“And what did he do?” Celeste asked, plucking a wooden hanger from the suitcase and tossing it aside.
“What do you think he did?”
“I heard he’s really into domestic stuff, like husband-spanking-wife shit. Is that it? Did he spank you?” The joviality in Celeste’s voice could have been a little less obvious in Angel’s opinion.
“I’m not saying.” The heat on Angel’s cheeks probably told Celeste everything she needed to know. And her sudden burst of laughter confirmed it.
“He did! Oh, Angel!” Celeste clapped her hands. “You’ll be perfect for him! Look at these dresses, and you’re really old-fashioned in your own way. It will be great. How long a contract did he take? A month?” She cast a glance at the suitcases. “You’re taking everything.”
Angel sighed. She couldn’t lie. Secrets had gotten her into the mess she was in, and she couldn’t keep the lie going.
“Ash found out I wasn’t honest on my application.” Enough of the truth without giving away information she was supposed to keep to herself.
Celeste’s smile dropped. “Damien told him?”
Sure. That worked and was pretty much the truth.
“Yes. It’s okay, though, Damien had already put in for the contract. I just can’t keep the apartment anymore.” All truish.
Celeste reached over the suitcase and grabbed Angel’s hand. “If this thing with Damien doesn’t work out, call me. I can get you a cheap apartment in the city. Maybe Peter will let you go work for him at Tower.”
Angel squeezed her hand and nodded. “I’ll call. I’m sure everything will be fine.”
Celeste screwed up her lips. “Speaking of Tower, I have to grab a shower and get ready. I’m heading over there tonight with an old friend who’s visiting and wants to see the nightlife. I’m not bringing him here.”
Celeste climbed off the bed, gave her a hard hug, and jogged out of the room. Angel finished packing her things. She’d gotten lucky Damien had been the man at the party the night before. She could have ended up with a man less considerate, less caring. Michael Bertucci could have succeeded in ruining her and humiliating her family.
Slowly, she sank onto the bed.
She didn’t deserve to be so lucky.
Chapter 7
She’d chosen him.
Damien watched Angel unpack her suitcase in his bedroom. He’d offered to help, but she’d waved him away. Dress after dress came out of the suitcase, and he couldn’t help but smile.
“My friends tease me because of my wardrobe,” she said, reading his mind. “Too old-fashioned.” She shrugged and disappeared into the walk-in closet again with a few more dresses hanging from her fingers.
“Nothing wrong with old-fashioned,” he said, moving to the bed and looking inside the suitcase. “I love your dresses.” He grinned when she returned. “Makes it easier to get to that ass of yours.”
A blush covered her cheeks, and she pulled the suitcase closer to her, snagging a small pile of panties. “It’s a good thing I went back to pack up instead of letting Ash’s men do it.”
Damien’s smile waned a fraction. “We’re not going to think about other men touching your panties,” he decided out loud. After Ash took Angel’s deception with as little anger as he had a right to, it would be bad form for Damien to barge into the Annex and start crushing heads.
“Maybe I shouldn’t put these away,” she said with a frown. “I mean it’s only a few weeks.”
“Use the top drawer. It’s empty.” He pointed to the dresser. “And it’s for as long as you want.”
“I’m just saying, this is a little fast, don’t you think? We only just met, well, re-met, I suppose, or just met, because you didn’t remember me from high school.”
He shook his head over her babbling then zipped the suitcase and moved it to the closet.
“It’s bedtime, Angel.” He grabbed her hand and led her over to the bed.
She sighed. “I didn’t unpack the other bag. It has my pajamas.”
He tugged her back toward him when she tried to walk away. “You don’t need pajamas.”
“Oh?” She smiled.
“Exactly. Now, come here so I can work this zipper for you.” He spun her around and had the garment opened before she had a chance to change her mind.
He slipped the material over her shoulders and pushed it down until the dress pooled at her feet. A white bra was the only thing she wore now.
Grabbing both of her ass cheeks in his hands, he squeezed. “Does your ass still hurt?”
She hissed. “When you do that, yes.”
He laughed and released her. Most of the redness had faded, but she had a few purple spots from the belt.
“I don’t want to have to do that again for a long time, Angel.” He unhooked her bra and slid the straps down her arms, placing a warm kiss on her shoulder.
“Me, either,” she agreed with force.
“So, you’ll be good for me? Obey me?” He wrapped his arms around her, reached for her breasts and cupped them. Fucking perfect.
“Yes, sir.” She leaned back, rolling her head until her lips were a fraction away from his.
“Hmmm, and what will happen if you’re a bad girl again?” he asked with forced sincerity.
He rolled her nipples between his fingers, smiling at how hard she was trying to keep her composure.
“I asked a question.” He nibbled on her earlobe.
“If I’m a bad girl, you’ll spank me,” she whispered. “Damien?”
“Yes?” he asked, flicking his thumbs over her pearled nipples.
“I was good the rest of the day.”
He grinned into her hair. “Yes, you were.”
“So, does that mean…”
“Mean what, Angel? Ask me for what you want.” He bit down on her earlobe. His co
ck twitched in his pants at her deep inhale.
“I want you to be inside me,” she said, every muscle in her shoulders going taut. Did she think he’d deny her? No way in hell.
“Get on the bed, Angel. Legs spread so I can see that sweet pussy of yours.” He patted her ass and moved away to let her up.
She climbed onto the bed while he quickly undressed. When her legs were spread, her hands gently folded on her belly, he joined her.
Fisting his cock, he stroked himself, thankful he hadn’t jerked off after her spanking earlier. This would be so much sweeter with his hunger matching hers.
He stalked up her body, placing kisses across her belly, her breasts, her collarbone until he reached her mouth which he claimed with a possession he’d never felt before. Her hands came up and framed his face. She wanted him, wanted this. She wanted to belong to him.
His cock pressed against her entrance, the warm, wet folds of her pussy opening for him and letting him through. He groaned as he slipped inside her; torturously slowly he entered her.
So tight and hot. He took a deep breath to control himself once he was seated fully inside her. He would not rut her like some backwoods animal.
“Damien. Please,” she begged, gripping his hips with her hands. “Please, harder.” She bucked up at him.
“I’m trying to be gentle,” he argued. She was too pure, too sweet to simply plow into.
“I don’t want gentle. I want you to claim what’s yours. Make me yours.” She grinned up at him.
He swallowed. Fuck. He’d never be able to deny her anything when she looked at him like that.
“Don’t move your hands. You keep holding me like that,” he demanded and at her nod plunged into her. She moaned as he plowed into her faster, harder. Her nails dug into his hips, making him hiss, but it didn’t slow him down.
He couldn’t get enough of her, couldn't get close enough to her, and he wanted every fucking inch of her.
“You’re mine,” he growled, lowering himself to capture her mouth beneath his. Her pussy tightened around his cock. “Come for me. Obey me now and come,” he ordered, unsure if she was close enough, or if she’d have to be given more pleasure.
“Fuck, yes,” she gasped when he plunged deep again. “Harder. Harder, Damien! Oh fuck!” Her scream filled the room when her release overtook her.
The walls of her pussy clamped down on his cock, tripping his own release. One more thrust, and he was at the end. Explosive waves rocked through him, and he grunted with each throb of his cock. He filled her with his seed. Marking her, taking possession of her.
“I’m yours,” she whispered once they’d both returned to each other.
He kissed her. “All mine.”
Chapter 8
Angel sat at the table in the kitchen, staring at her bowl of oatmeal. She’d been hungry when she woke up, but her hunger had disappeared when Damien announced she’d be spending the day with him. He was taking a few days off, in fact.
“Won’t Hunter be mad?” she had asked. “I don’t want to cause any more trouble than I already have.”
“Hunter can deal for a few days without me. He has other people to help if needed,” Damien had said and placed her oatmeal on the table.
For the last twenty minutes, she’d been staring at the blueberries resting on top, wondering what she could have done to be so deserving. She’d lied to her friends, to her family. She’d nearly caused a full-out war between the families. She didn’t come close to understanding what her uncle dealt with, but she knew enough to be afraid of an all-out war.
“You haven’t touched your food.” Damien sat back down at the table. He’d changed out of his cotton pajama pants and into sleek-fitting slacks and a crisply pressed shirt.
“I guess I’m not hungry,” she said, pushing the bowl away.
“Hey, what’s going on?” Damien grabbed her hand when she got up from her chair. “What is it?”
“Nothing. I’m just a little tired still, that’s all. I think I’ll lie down before I go to the library.”
“Library? For what?”
“I want to get back on the volunteer schedule. I’d asked them to take me off when I moved into the Annex.” She liked the feel of his hand wrapped around hers. He held firmly, but not too hard, just enough pressure for her to know he had her and wasn’t letting go.
“I think it’s better if you wait until we get the all clear from Hunter about Bertucci.” Damien ran his thumb over her hand.
“I don’t want to sit around here all day being useless.” She yanked free.
His eyes narrowed. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I’m going to the library.” She turned on her heel and made it to the doorway before steel arms wrapped around her middle and lifted her from the floor. He carried her, squirming, into the living room and dumped her on the couch. She scrambled to get to her feet, but his glare was enough to get her to sit back down.
“You’re not okay. Something has you upset, and I want a straight answer, Angel.” He pointed a finger at her.
She clenched her teeth. “I already told you—”
“If I have to strip you down and plant you in the corner until you answer me, I will.” His threat didn’t feel empty in the slightest.
She sucked in a shaky breath. “This is stupid. This whole thing is so damn stupid!” She waved her arms in the air.
“Watch your language.”
Her eyes widened. “My language? I’ve lied to you, to my family. I’ve nearly caused my uncle to have to break peace with dangerous men. I’ve had to continue to lie to my friends, and you’re worried about my language?” She pushed off the couch and pressed herself into his space, glaring up at him. “Fuck it,” she whispered.
His nostrils flared slightly, and his chest heaved. Either he was trying to get control of himself, or he was getting ready to blow up, but she wasn’t waiting around to find out.
“I’m going to the library. And then I’m going to my cousin’s. I’ll have someone come by and pick up my things.” She sidestepped him, leaving him in the living room while she collected her purse and coat.
“I don’t understand what’s gotten into you, but you aren’t just leaving like this.” Damien met her at the door.
“Yes, Damien, I am.” She pulled the door open. “I’m sorry for all the problems I caused, but you don’t have to worry about them anymore.”
Tears cascaded down her cheeks as she rushed down the front steps and up the street, hailing the first cab she saw. She didn’t look back to see if Damien was chasing her—she didn’t need to. He’d be happy to be rid of her. She’d only taken from him since the moment they spoke at the party. He was an admirable man, and she had nothing to offer him.
“Where to?” the cab driver asked.
“Home.” She rattled off the address of her apartment. She wouldn’t interrupt Hunter’s household with her drama, either. Her apartment would be safe enough.
Chapter 9
Damien stalked through the front door of Hunter’s home. “Angelica,” he called into the open foyer and listened for her approach.
“Damien?” Hunter stepped out of the living room with a wrinkled brow. “What are you doing here?” He held a blanket in his hands and looked back at the couch. Following his line of sight, Damien found Jae sitting with a cup of tea.
“I’m looking for Angelica,” Damien said. “Is Jae okay?”
“Yes, fine, just a stomach bug. She’ll be okay in a day or two. Angelica isn’t here.” Hunter’s eyes darkened. “Did you lose my cousin? Already? It’s been a day!”
Damien put out his hands. “I didn’t lose her. She ran away.”
Hunter took another menacing step. “Why would she run away from you?” he demanded.
“Because it’s Damien, and he’s no fun,” Jae called softly from the couch.
Damien cast her a quick glare before facing off with Hunter again. “I don’t know what got into her. She was upset this morning but wouldn
’t tell me why. She said she wanted to go the library, and I didn’t think that was a good idea. Next thing, she grabbed her purse, said she was headed here, and left.”
“She didn’t come here,” Hunter said. “Did you call her?”
“Not answering.” A dark cloud settled over Damien’s mood. She didn’t just run off to her cousin’s, she ran right into the face of danger.
“Let me try.” Jae waved her phone in the air and dialed. She sniffled and then broke out into a smile. “Angel, honey, what’s going on?” Damien stepped into the living room, towering over Jae, trying to hear the other end of the conversation. All Jae was giving him was nods and “uh-huhs.”
“Okay. I’ll tell him.” Jae clicked off the call just as Damien reached for the phone. “She’s at her apartment.”
“What did she say, exactly?” Damien gritted his teeth. Yelling at her wouldn’t get the information he needed and would only serve to get Hunter pissed.
“She said she’s back at her apartment, and she’s fine. She just wants to be alone for a while.” Jae tossed her phone back on the coffee table and sank into the cushions of the couch.
“Why would she go home when I told her it could be dangerous?” Damien raked his fingers through his hair. “I’m going over there.”
“Don’t.” Jae put up a hand. “Just give her the day. Go charging in tomorrow if you really feel you need to, but give her some time.”
“What’s going on, Jae?” Hunter asked, stepping between her and the coffee table.
“I know your family are real sticklers about taking care of their kids, but sometimes all the care is suffocating. Just leave her be,” Jae said then groaned.
“Okay, that’s it. Up to bed.” Hunter tossed the blanket over the back of the couch. “Damien will handle his girl while I’m handling mine.” Hunter scooped her off the couch.
Damien stared at the phone on the coffee table for a solid minute. He could pick it up and call her. She’d think it was Jae and answer. He’d be able to hear her voice and know she was safe. He could ask her what was really going on.