Chapter 108 Not ever
JASMINE
Instead, my eyes kept drifting back down to him.
To his face. To the calm, peaceful expression he wore when he slept.
Damien Blackwood, powerful, intimidating, always composed in front of the world, looked so different like this. Relaxed. Vulnerable. Almost boyish. A small smile tugged at my lips as I continued combing my fingers gently through his hair.
It was funny.
No matter how much time we spent together, I never seemed to get enough of him.
His scent.
His warmth.
The way his arms fit around me perfectly, as though my body had been designed to fit inside his.
Even his kisses.
Every time he kissed me it still felt like the first time—like that first spark that had set my entire world on fire. The same rush of warmth. The same dizzying thrill. The same dangerous, intoxicating pull that had slowly, steadily wrapped itself around my heart.
It had been impossible to resist.
And now… Now I knew I didn’t want to, I never wanted to let him go.
Not now.
Not ever.
Not as long as I had any say in it. My fingers paused briefly as I looked down at him again.
His lashes rested softly against his cheeks.
His breathing was slow and steady. My heart squeezed painfully with affection.
Just then—
The door creaked open.
My head snapped up.
Richelle’s face appeared in the small opening of the door, her curious eyes peeking inside. The moment her gaze landed on us—on Damon sleeping sprawled across me, my fingers tangled in his hair—her eyes widened dramatically.
Then she squealed.
"Ohhh!"
She clapped both hands over her eyes instantly.
“Sorry! Sorry!”
I shot her a sharp glare and quickly pressed a finger to my lips. “Shhh!” Damon stirred slightly against me but thankfully didn’t wake.
Richelle peeked through her fingers nervously.
“I didn’t know you two were—well—” She gestured vaguely before slapping her hands back over her face.
“Just stop talking,” I whispered sharply.
She nodded quickly. “Sorry! Sorry!”
Lowering my voice, I asked, “Do you need something?” Honestly, I just wanted her gone so I could return to quietly admiring my Damien.
Richelle shifted awkwardly near the door.
“Actually… yes,” she admitted sheepishly. “Could you step out for a bit?”
I looked down again at Damien’s sleeping form.
It was already late, and a few hours earlier he had complained about a migraine. I still cringed remembering his overly dramatic way of saying his head hurt because he missed me.
Honestly, his attempts at being charming were so ridiculous sometimes. But waking him now would mean dealing with his usual morning behavior.
Clingy.
Needy.
Like a newborn chick imprinting on its mother.
And apparently I was the mother. Suppressing a sigh, I looked back at Richelle. “I’ll come find you tomorrow morning,” I whispered.
Richelle studied Damien’s sleeping form again
before nodding knowingly. “Understood.”
A mischievous smirk spread across her lips as she slowly backed out of the room.
The door closed quietly behind her.
~
“What’s wrong, Richelle?” I asked as I dropped onto the couch beside her.
She had messaged me earlier asking to meet in Darcy's suite. Before she could answer—
“Oh! The ladies are here!” The sweet voice immediately made me smile.
Darcy.
I jumped to my feet and walked over to greet her.
“Darcy!” I laughed softly, wrapping my arms around her carefully in a hug. She looked especially lovely today. There was something warm and comforting about her presence that always made me feel instantly at ease.
“How are you, darling?” she asked gently, placing a warm hand on my cheek.
Her eyes studied my face fondly. “I’m fine, Darcy,” I replied with a smile.
She guided us both toward the couch. “Is everything alright?”
“Yes, yes,” she assured me quickly.
Richelle leaned forward excitedly. “It’s Damien’s birthday soon.”
My brows lifted. “Really?”
“And we need your help,” Darcy added with a conspiratorial smile.
Richelle rolled her eyes dramatically. “You know how he is. It’s impossible to get anything past him.”
“He’s ridiculously observant,” she continued. “Too curious. He ruins every surprise.”
“And he hates parties,” she added with a sigh.
Darcy chuckled softly. “That’s exactly why we need your help.”
My cheeks warmed instantly.
“Me?”
“Yes,” Darcy said with a knowing smile. “Now that he has you… you might actually be able to distract him.”
Richelle grinned wickedly. “If you know what we mean.”
My face immediately burned. “I—”
Darcy patted my hand reassuringly. “While Richelle and I plan the party, you simply need to keep Damon occupied.”
Richelle winked exaggeratedly. “Very occupied.”
I glared at her.
Darcy continued calmly, “When everything is ready, we’ll contact you. Your job will be to bring him to the venue.”
I nodded slowly. The thought of successfully surprising Damien with a party made me smile.
It would be nice if—just this once—we managed to catch him off guard.
Later that evening, I curled into a ball on the couch beside Darcy. A bowl of popcorn rested between us as the newest Captain Marvel movie played across the television.
I tossed another handful of popcorn into my mouth. Darcy frowned thoughtfully at the screen.
“You’d think her hair would grow longer when she transforms,” she muttered critically.
I snorted. “I actually like the short hair.”
She gave me a skeptical look.
I giggled.
Lowering my voice slightly, I leaned closer. “So… how are the party preparations going?”
Darcy brightened instantly. “Oh! Wonderful!”
“Have you chosen the venue yet?” I whispered.
“Yes! This huge hall just a few minutes away.”
Her excitement was contagious. “We’re decorating everything in Damien’s favorite colors.”
Her smile grew even brighter. “Oh! And his cousin is coming with her baby after the celebration.”
Her eyes sparkled with joy.
Then suddenly she looked at me. “So,” she said thoughtfully. “When will you two give me a child?”
My entire face burst into flames. “We-uh.."
“In due time, mother.” Damien’s voice cut smoothly through the room. My head snapped toward the doorway.
There he stood.
Still in his suit.
The first three buttons of his shirt were undone, revealing a tempting glimpse of his chest. He looked devastating.
Confident.
Infuriatingly handsome.
“Trust me,” he continued c asually as he walked toward us. “Your daughter-in-law is so irresistible we may give you a baby right now.” He winked at me.
My brain stopped functioning.