Warped (The Manipulation Trilogy Book 2)

by Alicia Taylor

  Ella needed me more than Leona did. My beauty always comes first. Since Ella is out I may as well bite the bullet, so to speak. I pull my phone out and hit dial on her contact. It doesn’t take but four rings before the call connects.

  “Damon.” Leona purrs. I’ve never minded her purred words before but they piss me off now. They do nothing for me and I’m not sure they ever did.

  “Leona,” I reply briskly. “You’ve been trying to ring?” She drops her purr and gets straight to the point.

  “Yes. Are you fucking kidding me, Damon? What the fuck. Why am I hearing from my parents that you’re getting married?” she demands.

  “Because I am,” I snap.

  “Over my dead fucking body. Have you forgotten the evil in you Damon? Have you forgotten who you are? What you are? You’ll ruin her.” I pause and take in her words. Am I really evil? I’m not with Ella. I’ve made mistakes in my life but who the fuck hasn’t?

  “It’s not your fucking choice, Leona. You don’t get a say in this. I nearly fucking lost her because of your kiss. You know I love her but you still kissed me.” I’m fast losing my patience with her. “Ella is the best thing that’s happened to me and I’m not about to lose her.”

  “You don’t need her, baby. You and I, we’re meant to be together. We’re good together and you can’t ruin me. I’m already damaged.” You have got to be fucking kidding me.

  “Not gonna happen, Leona. You know it was never like that for us.” I bite out, trying to keep my tone polite.

  “Yeah well, do I need to remind you of the past? What you did to...”

  “No, you don’t.” I grit out, my teeth grinding. Who the fuck does she think she is bringing up my past?

  “I’m just looking out for you, Damon. It will never work with you and Ella because of who you are. Best to call it quits while you’re ahead. Not time to fucking propose, Damon. You must have lost your mind.”

  “Enough!” I yell. Maybe I have lost my mind. I know Ella would look at me differently if she knew my past. That’s why I’m holding off telling her. We only have a chance if she’s deeply in love with me before the truth comes out, before my past comes back to haunt me.

  “But what about me, Damon?” she whines. “We belong together. You know we’re good together.”

  “No we don’t, Leona. I’m not doing this with you. I’m not letting you do this. If you can’t accept things as they are then maybe we need to go our separate ways.” She sucks in a shocked gasp. I hate hurting her. She’s been through enough but I have to put Ella first.

  “So that’s how it’s going to be? Just cut me out your life for her? After everything I’ve done for you?” I can hear the disgust in her voice. I don’t understand her fucking problem. I would have thought she would be happy for me.

  “That’s not what I want but what will happen if you don’t let this drop.”

  “She’s tricked you into this marriage proposal. I won’t let her do that.” The venom in her voice makes me lose it.

  “I FUCKING PROPOSED TO HER. ME!’ I slap a hand against my chest as if she can see me. “She’s mine, I won’t lose her,” I pant, rage taking over me. I won’t let Leona do this. She won’t speak badly of my beauty as long as I can stop her.

  “But you’ll lose me? Whatever, Damon.” I can hear tears in her voice but she’s holding them back.

  “Listen, Leona. I don’t want to lose you. This can work, I know it can.” Suddenly I become aware of my beauty. I feel her near. I turn and see her standing at the door. Her face is expressionless. I don’t know how much of that she heard but I hope it wasn’t just my last comment. “I love her.” I tell Leona as I stare into Ella’s eyes. “She’s mine. I proposed because I love her. Can’t you just be happy for me?” The dial tone lets me know Leona hung up on me.

  I throw my phone down on the kitchen counter and stalk over to Ella. I just need to hold her, to know she’s real. I need to make sure she knows she’s mine. I’m gonna fucking keep Ella if it’s the last thing I do.

  Reaching her, I pull her into my arms. She’s so fucking beautiful. I need to keep her. She’s everything I’ve ever wished for and everything I never knew to wish for. Her inner beauty shines as bright as her outer beauty.

  “Baby, I don’t know what you heard–” I don’t get to finish before Ella’s mumbled words hits my ears.

  “I heard enough. Leona isn’t happy. You told her she’d be out your life if she can’t accept me.” Pulling her head out of my chest she looks me in the eyes. Confusion and doubt is swimming within her emerald gaze. “Did you really mean that?” she asks in a small voice.

  This is my fault. I’ve made her have these doubts. Her pain and doubt are on me. Grabbing her chin, I hold her face steady. She needs to believe what I’m about to tell her. She can never doubt this if I can help it.

  “I fucking love you, beauty. I’m going to keep you forever.” I kiss her plump lips, needing a taste of her. “I’m never letting you go. No one and nothing means more to me than you. You’re fucking it for me.”

  Tears spill and roll down her cheeks. I kiss them away, whispering my love for her in between. If there is anything in my life I need her to believe, it’s this.

  “Damon,” her voice hitches, “I... Damon.” She breaks into sobs, clinging to my shirt as she cries out her pain.

  I wish there was more I could do to assure her, wish I could take back things from my past to make everything easier. But I can’t. I hold her tightly as she cries and she doesn’t realise how much it fucking cuts me deep to see her like this, to know I’m the cause of her pain.

  I thought she was going to say it then, what I’ve been waiting to hear. Three little fucking measly words that I can’t wait to hear from her sweet lips. I know it’s hard for her now, especially after Leona’s kiss but I want them so bad. I feel like a fucking bitch for needing them so much.

  “Beauty, you don’t need to say it. You’re not ready. I already know how you feel,” I say into her hair. She lifts her head away from my neck to look up at me.

  She looks lost. My beautiful Ella is hurting and confused. I wish she’d just tell me what’s going through that mind of hers. Just hit me or shout until she can really forgive me for what she saw. Her stunning emerald eyes are red rimmed and puffy. Her cute button nose is running. She looks fucking breathtaking no matter what state she’s in.

  “I love you.” I whisper, hoping she can hear the truth in my words. Sweeping the hair out of her face, I tuck it behind her ears. “What do you need, beauty?”

  “You. Just you. Damon, can you... just hold... me?” she asks in a small voice. It makes me fucking bleed to know she thinks she has to ask something like that of me.

  “Always.” I scoop her up into my arms and carry her to the lounge. We lie down on the sofa where I pull her close to me, tucking her against me.

  Those fucking emerald eyes captivate me. I can’t look away when she looks at me like this. I have to keep that connection open. Her eyes say more than any I love you’s could. They express to me that it’s not only me that feels what we share. They let me know that she’s mine.

  It doesn’t take long before her eyes flutter shut and stay that way. I don’t stop looking at her. I just enjoy having her in my arms. I don’t want to lose her, I fucking can’t lose her. When she finds out about my past she’s going to want to run. I need to make sure I have enough hold on her to catch her.

  When her breathing evens out and becomes steady, I lift her up and walk upstairs, careful not to jar her awake. I don’t give a shit about anything other than holding my girl.

  As long as I have this connection I don’t need anything else.

  Laying her on the bed and stripping her clothes off, I try my best not to wake her. She stirs slightly but I’m too much of a selfish bastard, I need her naked flesh against mine, her warmth soaking into my frozen heart. Only Ella has been able to thaw my heart and soul.

  She’s the fucking sun in my life.

&n
bsp; Quickly undressing, I slip into bed, pulling my beauty against me. Fucking heaven. I breathe her in as I drift off into a dreamless sleep.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  JUNE 18TH 2014

  Walking down the stairs, I place my bag on the table and head towards Damon's office. He’s working from home today and I have arranged to have lunch with Tom so I’m not a distraction for him. And so I can make him jealous. It seems that Damon is easily distracted when I’m near. Truthfully, he has the same effect on me. I lose all train of thought whenever he’s close.

  That’s a problem. It shouldn’t be like this.

  Last night was a good night. The things he said to Leona made me relax a little, and gave me more doubts. Am I doing the right thing? Do I have all my facts straight? Damon doesn’t seem to be playing a game. What if I still have everything wrong? I need to get my head sorted and really think clearly about my options.

  Walking up to his office, I find the door open and peek my head inside. Damon is on the phone and it sounds like business, so I turn to leave but he calls my name, beckoning me to him.

  Crossing the threshold, I take him in and he does the same to me. He’s wearing workout shorts and nothing else. His hair is damp and his body is glistening with sweat. The plains of his muscles flex as he shifts position. My eyes dart to his to find a smug smirk gracing his gorgeous face.

  I wish he wasn’t so fucking good looking.

  “I don’t have time for this... get it done before I have to come over there and sort it myself...” I tune out his conversation and take in all that is Damon Hunt. His strong jaw moves as he speaks, his plump lips stretching and forming words, keeping me mesmerised.

  His facial hair needs a trim, needs shaping back to the perfect stubble that I know feels amazing rubbing against my skin. His olive complexion showcases the depths of his brown eyes, the eyes that so often hold me captive in their stare. The small teardrop scar just below and to the side of his right eye calls for me to kiss and lick it.

  I take a step towards Damon to do just that, then remember I was only popping in to tell him I’m on my way out. I need to keep my head on straight if I’m going to meet Tom on time.

  I move to his desk and perch on the edge, swinging my legs as I wait for him to finish his call. He stands in front of me and my hand instantly reaches for his waist. A small smile creeps across his face as he slowly runs his hands up my thighs, taking my skirt with them. My body instantly trembles, and my core heats, as I rest my forehead against his hard chest.

  What the fuck is wrong with me? I shouldn’t want him like this. He doesn’t deserve anything but pain and suffering.

  “See to it that it gets done... keep me updated of the outcome... yes,” Damon’s deep voice vibrates through his body as his hands continue to climb. “I want you to personally sort this James. I’m holding you responsible.”

  This man makes me want him with just one touch, one word, but I can’t let him distract me. I can’t let him have that power. I drop my hand back into my lap and take a deep breath. I move my hand to halt his in the trek to the apex of my thighs, needing to stop this before it gets started.

  He can’t have control.

  Damon shifts, bringing his other hand up to gather my hair in a fist. He gently tugs, pulling my head back so he can look at me. I avert my gaze, not wanting to see his smouldering, melted chocolate brown eyes. My self control isn’t that good. I’ll end up being late meeting Tom and I can’t let that happen.

  “Make it happen, fast.”

  Damon ends the call abruptly, not even saying goodbye, and moves his hand to my chin, lifting it so I’m looking into his eyes.

  “Good morning beauty.” His tone softens as he speaks quietly to me. He moves his mouth down closer to my face and runs little kisses across my jaw, changing the pressure of each stroke of his lips against my skin. I close my eyes and hold my breath as his mouth sweeps across my cheek before settling firmly on my mouth.

  Grabbing my hips, Damon pulls me forward, bringing me flush against his hardening length. My knickers dampen and my nipples pebble as I feel every hard inch of his body pressed against mine. He nips and licks at my mouth, asking for permission to enter. I grant his wish by parting my lips on a moan. He thrusts his tongue into the warm recess of my mouth, tangling his tongue with mine. The kiss starts to turn too heated so I pull my mouth away, taking a moment to steady my breathing.

  Damon does this to me. He makes me forget everything, turning my body into his own personal toy when he touches me. I look into the rich brown chocolate of his eyes, and see concern. He knows I never pull away from a kiss. He knows I can’t pull away from his luscious lips when they’re pressed against mine.

  Time to drop my bomb.

  “I’m sorry. I’m meeting Tom. I can’t stay long,” I tell him. At the mention of Tom's name Damon visibly stiffens. His back goes rigid and his hand clenches at my side, just as I expected.

  I press my hands flat against his bare muscular chest, push him back a step, and stand so I’m more at his level. I need to get him to understand, need to get him under control. I lift my hand to his face and caress his cheek. Looking deep into his eyes I plead with him to understand what I’m about to tell him, needing him to see how much I mean the words I say. I can’t let Tom be a problem for my end game. Damon needs to accept him for this to work.

  “Damon, you have nothing to worry about when it comes to Tom. Tom and I are just friends, you know that.”

  “Ella, I don’t trust him–” I cut him off before he has a chance to continue.

  “Damon you don’t know him. He’s the only friend I have left. Hell, he’s the only family I have left, since losing Pops and my sister...” My eyes fill up as sadness takes over. He pulls me in close and soothingly rubs my back.

  “Shhhh beauty, it’s okay. We don’t need to talk about it. It’s okay.”

  I nod my head into the muscles of his chest, taking a moment to gather my emotions. I almost spoke about Lydia, which was reckless. I have decisions to make before my secrets come out. I have to wait before I talk to him about that but eventually I will need him to know the truth. I'll need to tell him who I am, why I’m here. Whether that will be at the end of my game when I’ve broken him or if I ask him for forgiveness and to give us a chance remains to be seen.

  Damon continues to rub my back. It’s soothing and I feel calm again, so I lift my head to meet his eyes.

  “Please give him a chance Damon. I know you will like him and he only wants the best for me.”

  “I don’t like it Ella. How would you feel if I went and had lunch with an ex?”

  Heat rises in my cheeks. That is not the same thing at all, and doesn’t he see that he already does that now every time he sees Leona?

  “Damon, it’s not the same. Tom is just my friend, nothing more. What about that bitch Leona?” Anger starts to infect my good mood. Damon rolls his eyes, but wherever Damon goes she is running along like a lost puppy. He has to know she thinks she has some sort of claim on him.

  “Leona and I are just friends Ella. We happen to hang out in the same places. It’s nothing more.” That’s just laughable.

  I raise my eyebrows and stifle a laugh. Damon doesn’t miss it though.

  “She is, Ella. She is just my friend and she has been through stuff. I don’t turn my back on someone when they need help,” he says seriously.

  “If she is such a friend then why is she so rude to me? She made it clear that I was in her territory, and then she turns up at the restaurant,” I huff. I can feel anger building inside me again. Why I let that bitch get under my skin I don’t know, but she does. When we are in a room together it’s like she is taunting me, like she knows something I don't and is laughing behind my back.

  Damon shrugs his shoulders. “I don’t know, maybe you misheard her? I don’t know why she turned up at Maze. Did you tell Spence where we were going?” he asks.

  “I didn’t mishear her Damon, she was rude, and I will a
lways be a problem for her but I don’t want to fight about it.”

  Damon sighs in defeat and moves to wrap his arms around me.

  “Okay, how about we do something tonight? We can go to The Hunter and you can bring Tom. If it will make you happy, beauty I will give him a chance.”

  Smiling up at Damon I feel like I have won a small victory at his willingness to try for me. Things would be so much easier if they would just get along. Tom is the only person who knows the real me. I can be myself with him, there’s no pretending. I need him in my life and Damon needs to get used to that if we are going to stay together.

  “Thank you for giving him a chance. I know when you do you're going to get along.”

  “I will give him a chance Ella, for you, but don’t expect us to be best buds, okay?”

  I nod my head, “I have to go. I will text you if Tom can make tonight. Shall I meet you there? Say seven?”

  “Yes. I have to go into the office. Spence wants to discuss more about the hotel venture. He loved your ideas by the way. I think you’re on to something. Would you consider making it a permanent position? We could use someone with your ideas and fresh look at everything.”

  His comment takes me back. What the fuck? As his words sink in I can’t help beaming at the praise. It feels wonderful hearing him talk about my work so positively.

  “Why Damon Hunt, are you offering me a job?” I smile at him playfully, as he pulls me closer to him.

  “I must admit Ella, the thought of you working in the same office as me makes my cock hard.” He grasps my arse, squeezes my cheeks and thrusts his hips, pressing me against his already hard cock. He leans in close. “I wouldn’t be able to help myself, and I’d bend you over my office desk, and fuck you from behind.”

  My pulse quickens and my heart begins to race as I picture this in my head. It sends an instant jolt of lust between my legs and I can’t help but moan.

  “Damon... You have to stop doing this to me. I can’t control myself when I’m with you. I feel like a horny teenager. It’s never enough, even when you’re inside me. I feel like I need more. I’m hungry for you even when I’m having you.”