Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 23978 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 120(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23978 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 120(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
My voice comes out in a stammering whisper. “Sh-shut up…”
“I really do.”
“Yeah?” I look up at him. I suddenly realize just how much taller than me he is. “Wh-what do I want then?”
I feel Damien circling my palm with his thumb–a technique that sends goosebumps up both of my arms. What else he can do with his hands? I wonder, as my eyes are drawn up his forearms, so muscular, so vascular. I’m panting quick and fast, but Damien’s chest rises up and down so slowly that I can barely tell he’s breathing at all.
“You’re sick of being in charge, Alice,” he says, so sure of himself as he strokes my hand. “So tired of bossing men around. Tired of the men in your personal life not being capable of giving you what you need. You want more.”
His words penetrate me deeply, straight into the core of my being. I look up at him with a pleading desperation in my eyes that I know he can see.
Please go on. Tell me more.
“You want a man who can tell you what to do. Take control so that you don’t have to be the one in charge.”
Confusion, embarrassment, and arousal hit me all at once like a star going supernova. I suck in a deep breath and open my mouth to speak, but Damien silences me with a finger over my lips.
“It’s okay, Alice. You don’t have to say anything. Just prepare yourself for me tonight when I show up to your apartment.”
And like last night at the restaurant, he turns to go, as if the world somehow revolves around him the way the solar system revolves around our sun. As he grasps the doorknob, I finally find the ability to speak again.
“You don’t know where I live!”
Damien turns back with that same charming smile that makes me feel so small and so aroused at the same time. “Alice. I’m a courier. We don’t only deliver to your office. Remember?”
This is even worse than last night. Last night I was waiting at La Bernadin for Damien, who was late, but at least then I could say I was there on business if anyone asked. This time, I’ve showered, done my hair and makeup, have on a gorgeous red dress (one of my favorites), and even matching lingerie beneath. And now, here I am, sitting in my penthouse, listening to jazz, just waiting on an arrogant, presumptuous, overly aggressive bike courier to show up because he said he was going to.
What am I even thinking?
It’s 9:45 and I have been ready since 8. Damien never said when he was going to show up, but by now I’m pretty sure he’s not coming. I feel…betrayed, which seems completely irrational, considering the lack of relationship I have with the man.
Why should I even care? All that’s happened between us is he showed up late once for a “date” and barged into my office twice completely uninvited. Betrayal is hardly what I should be feeling right now. Although I truly do wish I had his number in my phone so I could block it.
“Whatever.” I get up from the chaise where I’ve been sitting and head for the bedroom to undress and catch up on some sleep. But just as I pass the door, a loud knock nearly causes me to jump out of my heels.
After a deep breath, I call out, “Who is it?”
“Timothy Chalamet!” Damien replies from outside. “Now open up!”
My door has a buzzer and a door man. There should be no way he got up here on his own. There also should be no way that I want to let him into my penthouse at this point either, but the next thing I know, I’m walking over to the door and unlocking it.
Damien is standing there in navy blue pants, a matching blazer, and a white dress shirt with the top two buttons undone. He also has a pair of suede loafers on that look great on him. I’m furious at him, but I also can’t deny just how incredible he looks.
“How’d you get up here?” I demand.
He makes no effort to hide it as he drags his eyes up my body, from my feet to my hips, pausing on my breasts, then my lips, then finally landing on my eyes.
Damien smiles and holds out a package I somehow hadn’t even noticed. “Showed him my credentials. Told him I had an important delivery for Miss Dupont that must be delivered immediately.”
With a quick tear, Damien opens the package, reaches in, and pulls out a bottle of red wine. Before I can even respond, he brushes past me and heads for the kitchen.
“H-hey!” I call out, shutting the door and rushing after him.
“Where do you keep your glasses?” he asks, but he’s already found them. He removes one and sets it on the counter, and in the same amount of time, finds the corkscrew. I watch as he pours himself a glass and takes a sip, keeping his eyes on me the entire time.