by Julie Olsen
His demeanor softened, his glittering eyes wide. “Because when I first laid eyes on you, I thought you were dead. And then you opened those beautiful brown eyes and my world changed.”
“Oh.” His world changed? Oh Damien, I think mine has changed, too. “Okay. I won’t do it again. Happy?”
Uncrossing his legs, he leaned in, his eyes never leaving mine. “Yes. As for the points you have made.” He smiled that breathtaking smile of his, and the air left my lungs and a slow heat throbbed at my core. “We now know each other, Olivia. Intimately. You’re right, I do like giving orders. It’s how I run my business, how I run my life. It makes everything tidy and efficient. You should prepare yourself for taking orders from me, as I like to give them. Frequently. And I want you to follow them. Expressly and explicitly.”
My mind was having trouble keeping up. It could have been the wine. Or just being in his commanding presence. I took another sip of wine. Well, I practically glugged it. This conversation was not going the way I wanted.
“We may know each other intimately, but we really don’t know each other. Wouldn’t you agree?” I took a tentative step into Seriousville, completely bypassing Bossytown where he obviously lived.
He nodded. “All right, I’ll grant you that. But surely you realize we’ll get to know each other in all aspects, and that will come in time?”
“Damien, I know nothing about you! Other than you drive a Porsche and you’re very bossy.” My foot tapped a beat against my chair leg.
His brows shot up. He moved in closer, refilling our wine glasses, an unknown emotion crossing his features. “I own Stone Technologies Group. I live here in St. Louis, not far from you, in fact. I work very hard which affords me the opportunity to enjoy the finer things in life. I don’t smoke. I don’t do drugs. I enjoy an occasional drink in social situations. I value my privacy. What else would you like to know?”
I stared at him, gaping. Here I thought getting information from him was going to be like pulling teeth. He seemed so secretive. It was a start. I raised my glass and took a sip. “So what does Stone Technologies Group do?”
“We do many things, but what I’m most proud of is our technologies division, which has developed software and surveillance systems that are being implemented by law enforcement to track and find missing persons.”
Oh. I expected a drawn-out spiel about bottom lines and profitability. “I see. That sounds impressive.”
A shadow crossed his eyes, but then he smiled and shrugged. “It’s sort of near and dear to my heart.”
Near and dear? A certain tension arced between us. A Pandora’s Box sat gleaming on the table, and I now must open or ignore it.
I lowered my voice. “Care to elaborate?”
“In this country alone well over three quarters of a million people go missing each year.” He stiffened and exhaled harshly, a formidable expression on his face. “That’s unacceptable.”
Our light-hearted conversation had suddenly turned very serious. I smiled timidly, absorbing the emotion in his words.
His jaw twitched and he ran a hand through his hair before closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. When he opened his eyes, the same heart-melting smile from before adorned his face. The one that made me want to lunge across the table and tear his clothes off.
“Forgive me. I sometimes get a little wound up.” He reached across and laid his warm hand on mine. Those delicious sparks flew, and I felt the connection all the way in my groin.
I shook my head. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“Upset me? Olivia, being with you soothes me.”
God, the way he talked. He squeezed my hand and released it, and I missed his touch immediately.
The waiter appeared with our plates, and we wasted no time in digging in. There was silence at our table for a few minutes while we ate, giving me time to digest his words. Damien’s lamb looked delicious, and my salmon was mouth-wateringly good, despite my sudden melancholy.
“Good, huh?”
“Damien, it’s delicious.”
He grinned and wiped his mouth with his napkin. “It’s my turn now,” he said, and his voice hummed, the vibration moving through me, turning my insides into molten lava.
“You’re single?”
Now it was my turn to smirk. “It’s a little late to ask now, but yes. I told you that the night you rampageously insisted on driving me home.”
His green eyes danced, and the deep rumble of his laugh went straight to my heart. It was so infectious I found myself smiling ear to ear.
“Rampageously? Is that a word?” he asked after he’d recovered.
“It is now.”
“Let me rephrase. How is it that such a beautiful woman as you is single?”
I blinked and focused on my asparagus polenta, trying to stifle the huge smile that threatened to blow my cover. I didn’t think I would ever tire of hearing him call me beautiful. “The world is full of single people, Damien. I could ask the same of you.”
He nodded. “Fair enough.”
Damn. Give vague answers and you get the same in return. What I really wanted to ask him was if he’d had a serious girlfriend before, but that might open a can of worms I wasn’t ready for. Baby steps.
“So, no girlfriend, then?” I blurted.
Something guarded and circumspect crossed his face. “It’s a little late to ask now,” he said, his eyes alight with humor. He paused as he considered his words. Oh crap, here’s where he tells me he wants me as part of his harem.
“I do not have a girlfriend,” he said drily. “And you should know right now that I don’t fuck around.”
I met his gaze head-on, relief coursing through me. “I don’t either.”
“Good. I’m glad we cleared that up.”
I took a bite. I liked that he had cut straight to the chase. I might as well take a page from his book. “How old are you?”
“Thirty. And you’re twenty-six.”
I quirked a brow. “I wonder how you knew that?”
He cut into his lamb and smiled that Mona Lisa smile. “You’re a personal trainer?”
“Yes. Why don’t you ask me something you don’t already know the answer to?”
He chewed thoughtfully and swallowed. “Just trying to be thorough.” He took a sip of wine. “Any other brothers or sisters?”
“No. Just Lucy.”
“How long have she and James been together?”
“Since high school. He’s like the brother-in-law I never had. One of these days I think she’ll say yes.”
“I see. And your parents?”
“They live in Florida. They were older when they had us. When they retired, they decided to move to a warmer climate.”
“And they left you the house?”
“Yes,” I said slowly, surprised. “How did you know that?”
“The night we met, you told me you grew up in the house. Deductive reasoning.” He winked at me.
A wink! I melted a little into my chair. “How astute of you.”
“I am nothing if not astute.” He lowered his voice and leaned in a little. “Well, maybe a little enamored, too.”
I took another sip of wine, trying to calm my beating heart. “So. Your family. Tell me about them.”
He remained smiling but his eyes changed, as if a shutter came down. He carefully placed his knife and fork on either side of his plate. “There’s my sister, Karlie. She lives in Chicago. My mother passed away a few years ago.”
“Oh Damien, I’m so sorry.” I set down my wine, feeling totally inadequate in the comforting department.
His jaw twitched and for a split second I saw a glimpse of pain before a mask came down. He forced a half-smile in acknowledgement of my expression of sympathy. “It was very sudden.”
I shook my head, my heart weighted like an anchor and sinking fast. “I can’t imagine.”
Reaching for his glass, he t
ook a generous slug, and then as if to punctuate that the topic was done, he picked his silverware up and continued with his meal.
A certain dissatisfaction slid over me. Personal details were few and far between from him, and I wanted to know more.
“So, your father—”
“No father,” he said quickly, a sudden stiffness about him. He did not elaborate. Somewhat chagrined, I decided to leave that chestnut for another time.
“Are you close with your sister?”
“Close?” He considered this, chewing slowly and swallowing. “Distance and time have not been kind to us.” He sighed impatiently and then frowned, retrieving his phone from his jacket pocket. Glancing at the screen, he narrowed his eyes. “Please excuse me just a moment,” he said, answering the phone.
As I watched him his face changed, and I caught a glimpse of Damien the executive businessman. He was no-nonsense on the phone, giving commands easily and expecting nothing but absolute compliance. He spoke sternly but not without a certain level of respect. It was sexy. Expressly and explicitly.
“No, send the report to Edwards…continue with the employee interviews, something good may turn up yet…I don’t care, our window is evaporating, it has to be done now…she said brown, possibly gold…I agree, that’s irrelevant…Yes, tomorrow…”
Feeling as though I was eavesdropping, I focused on my plate and mentally compiled a new list of questions. He seemed reluctant to talk about his family and now my interest was piqued. When I looked up, a woman in chef’s whites was approaching the table, smiling broadly. Damien’s back was toward her, but she kept her gaze trained on him as she strode our way. She was slender and fair, with her blonde hair pulled back into a simple low ponytail that somehow came across as elegant and sophisticated. She had an easy smile that took up her whole face, and I found myself wanting to smile, too. This must have been the restaurant owner.
When two steps away, she put her index finger to her lips, asking for my silence. Bemused, I glanced at Damien, who ended his call, apparently oblivious to the mystery woman’s designs. Returning his attention to me, I ventured a small smile, unsure of protocol in this situation. Who was this woman?
As I considered what to do, the woman reached out and put her hands on Damien’s face, covering his eyes. It didn’t escape my notice that she wasn’t wearing a wedding ring.
“Well, hello, stranger.”
My smile faded immediately.
CHAPTER 10
Damien stiffened but quickly recovered, turning in his seat as the woman released his face. He grinned, the corners of his eyes crinkling. A prickling anxiety crept across my skin.
“I thought you weren’t working tonight,” he said quietly, standing and kissing the woman on the cheek. She patted his shoulders, her hands lingering a few seconds longer than necessary as she gazed up at him. Get your hands off him!
“Silly goose,” she purred. “Marcus has the flu so I’m filling in. Remember, I mentioned this yesterday?”
“Ahh, I’ve been…distracted.”
“Alex loved the train set you gave him. You must drop in for choo-choo time. I know how you boys love your trains.”
“I’ll do that.” At this Damien broke free of her snare and smiled down at me. “Olivia, I’d like you to meet Bella Ruggieri. She’s one of my oldest friends.” His eyes were warm as he looked between the two of us.
Bella elbowed him, asking “Who are you calling old?” as she extended her hand.
“It’s nice to meet you.” I maintained pleasantries even though I wanted nothing more than to wedge myself in between the two of them. Still seated, I was at an immediate disadvantage. If I stood, she might take that as encouragement to stay and chat longer. I remained in my chair.
“Olivia, Damien has told me so much about you. How are you feeling, after your terrible accident, I mean?” She grasped my hand gently. Her eyes connected with mine, brilliant blue and warm, her smile kind and sincere. I could be best friends with her too, if I didn’t want to claw her eyes out.
“Fine, thank you. I am on the mend, thanks to Damien.” Turning my gaze, I found him watching me, his eyes liquid and beguiling. My heart jumped to double-time.
“My God, I don’t know how you cyclists do it, riding in city traffic,” she said, giving an exaggerated shiver. “I always say a prayer when I see them out and about.”
Oh please. “Well, actually, it’s statistically very safe, as long as you stick to the rules of the road.”
“But you never know when you’ll come across that crazy person behind the wheel, do you?” She glanced at Damien. “Have you dug up any more information on the hit-and-run driver, Damien?”
The hair on my nape stood up to attention. Damien appeared impassive, his eyes widening only fractionally. “No.”
“Ah, well,” Bella murmured, smiling catlike and peering at Damien through her long lashes. “I wouldn’t worry, if I were you. If I know Damien, he won’t rest until the person is caught.”
She smiled, and I couldn’t help but feel I was intruding on a secret only the two of them knew. I felt out of place and out of my element. And pissed as hell.
An uncomfortable silence stretched between us. Damien stepped closer, resting his hand along the back of my shoulder. I kept my eyes fixed on Bella, willing her to leave us alone. I had questions for Mr. Control Freak.
“So.” She forced a laugh. “How’s everything tonight?”
“Excellent as usual, Bella.” I could feel his eyes burning into me, but I continued to stare at Ms. Overly Familiar and Beautifully Blonde.
She hesitated a moment, as if she had something else to say, an infinitesimal frown flitting across her face before being swallowed up by that alluring smile. “I’m so glad you like it. I’ll just leave you to enjoy.” Dragging her eyes from Damien, she turned to me. “A pleasure to meet you, Olivia. Perhaps we will see each other again soon.”
“Yes. Perhaps we will.” I dismissed her by picking up my wine glass.
“Damien, I hope…” she started then, as if thinking better of it, merely smiled. Reaching over to graze his arm with her fingertips, a shadow crossed her face. Damien remained silent, the heat of his hand on my shoulder. Without another word, she turned and left us.
Damien returned to his seat, replacing his napkin on his lap. I could feel the wheels turning in his head. The easy rapport of five minutes ago was gone, in its place an overwhelming tension. I looked at my plate, my appetite vanished. God, where to start?
“You’re trying to find out who hit me?”
He cleared his throat. “Yes. I have connections who are helping me.”
“What kind of connections?”
“Members of the police department. Investigators. That sort of thing.”
I nodded. “And you were going to mention this when, exactly?”
“I wasn’t trying to keep it a secret. Bella just beat me to the punch.”
“And in your world, would this fall under the category of honesty?” I wasn’t sure if I was more upset by the secret Bella had just let out of the bag, or by Bella herself.
He blinked and looked away. “No, Olivia. It wouldn’t.”
“I see.” I drained my glass. Damien refilled it instantly, emptying the bottle. He appeared contrite, as well he should.
Damien leaned in. “I can see you’re upset, but will you listen to what I have to say?”
“Oh, by all means. Explain yourself.” My voice dripped with sarcasm, and he narrowed his eyes at the tone.
“I wanted to tell you. But you were so combative and resistant. All I could think about was getting inside you.” He stopped and hit me with those dazzling eyes. Just like that, they were smoldering. “You’re a very headstrong woman, accustomed to taking care of yourself. I was afraid of your reaction. I couldn’t take the chance that you’d tell me to fuck off.”
Should I? I ground my teeth.
“I jus
t want to take care of you. Please, let me,” he whispered.
“Why?”
“I’ve wanted to since the first time I saw you. I told you this already.”
“Do you often want to take care of women you’ve only just met?”
“No. Never.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I can’t explain it. You’ve intrigued me, Olivia.”
We both stared at each other, earnest and somewhat fearful. My heart was trying to jump out of my chest. He really wanted me, but I was frightened of his intensity, of how I felt about him. “Damien. This is moving too fast for me. I need some time,” I said so softly I was surprised he heard me.
He pursed his lips, his eyes wary. “I can give you that.”
The waiter approached with a large tray. “Compliments of the house, Sir,” he said with a flourish. The tray was overloaded with desserts. Assorted ice creams and sorbets, accompanied by berries, both fresh and pureed, along with a decadent cheesecake, a red velvet cake, a carrot cake, and a caramel-frosted brownie that looked heartstoppingly rich.
“I’m not hungry,” I said wanting to leave.
“Are you sure, Miss?” the waiter asked, standing at the ready to serve.
I shook my head. “No, thank you.” I could feel Damien’s laser stare and purposely kept my eyes fixed on my wine. The wine was delicious. And she had nothing to do with its making.
“I will leave this in case you change your mind,” the waiter said. “May I take your plates?”
I nodded. I had finished only half of my meal, but I knew I wouldn’t eat another bite. Damien had finished most of his, but he was apparently done as well.
The waiter disappeared with our plates and silence descended upon our table again.
My foot began a slow tap. “Who is Bella?”
“I told you, she’s an old friend.”
“Friend with benefits?”
“Look at me, Olivia,” he said softly, his commanding voice leaving me no choice but to comply. “She is a friend, one of my closest. I’ve known her since I was sixteen. She’s like family.”
I scoffed. “I find that hard to believe.” Tap tap tap.
He narrowed his eyes, his gaze piercing right through me. “It’s the truth.” He sighed and ran a hand through his tousled hair. “Look, I’m sorry I didn’t explain things better. I realize now how that looked to you. But in my defense, I didn’t expect her to be here as she generally has Saturdays off.”