Chapter 23 She's a keeper
DAMIEN
She didn’t notice at first, too absorbed in her tablet. I stopped just inches from her, close enough to feel her warmth, close enough to inhale her scent—soft, floral, unmistakably her.
She sensed me then.
Her head lifted slowly, dark eyes locking onto mine.
Those eyes.
They pulled me in every single time. Wood-burning dark, intense and curious, as though they could see straight through the carefully constructed walls I kept around myself. There was something there—something unspoken, something dangerous.
I lifted my hand without thinking, gently tucking a loose curl behind her ear.
She froze.
My fingers lingered, brushing the sensitive spot just beneath her ear with feather-light touches. Barely there. A question rather than a s
tatement.
Her breath hitched.
I watched as a shiver ran through her, subtle but unmistakable. Her lashes fluttered before her eyes closed completely, surrendering to the moment before she even realized she was doing it.
That was it.
I was done for.
What was this girl doing to me?
“I—I think we should get going,” she stammered suddenly, eyes flying open as realization hit her full force. “We—we don’t want to keep Mr. Stone waiting.”
Her cheeks burned a vivid shade of pink, stark against her olive skin.
She stepped back quickly, creating distance between us, clearly flustered.
I bit down hard on my lip.
The urge to pull her back—to make her look at me like that again—nearly overwhelmed me. I wanted to hear her breath hitch again, to see that flush deepen, to know I was the reason.
I withdrew my hand slowly and slid both hands into my pockets, locking myself back behind a stoic mask.
Control.
I followed her quietly through the familiar white hallways, brightly lit and spotless. She kept her distance deliberately, walking just ahead of me, posture straight, professionalism snapped back into place.
It only made me smirk.
We entered the lounge, and my eyes immediately found him.
Mr. Stone sat comfortably on one of the pristine white couches, a glass of wine already in hand as Richelle stood beside him, mid-conversation. He looked up the moment we entered, his face lighting up.
“The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” he chuckled, rising to his feet.
“Mr. Stone,” I replied, offering a polite smile—tight, but respectful.
He looked good for his age. His blonde hair did an excellent job of disguising the white threading through it, giving him the air of a man seasoned by life rather than worn by it.
He pulled me into a hug, patting my back affectionately.
I stiffened.
That familiar, fatherly warmth washed over me—and with it, discomfort.
I pulled back carefully, keeping my smile intact.
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Richelle and Jasmine watching closely.
Their concern was evident, worry etched into their expressions.
I suppressed an internal eye roll.
Did they really think I’d mess this up?
“Last I saw you, you were still going through your bad boy phase,” Mr. Stone said with a laugh. “You should’ve seen him.”
I grimaced despite myself, memories of my reckless teenage years flashing through my mind.
Then Jasmine laughed.
The sound was light, musical—angelic. It settled something restless inside me.
She stopped abruptly when she realized I was looking at her. Our eyes met for a split second before she looked away, cheeks once again tinted pink.
“Who’s this fine gal?” Mr. Stone asked, turning his attention to her.
“I’m Jasmine Scott, sir,” she said confidently, stepping forward. “It’s nice to meet you.”
She slid her hands into his, offering a warm smile.
He lifted her hands and kissed her knuckles gently.
I stiffened.
Mr. Stone glanced between the two of us, amusement dancing in his eyes.
“You’ve got quite the girl, Damien,” he said, nudging my shoulder. “She’s a keeper.”
“She definitely is,” I murmured without thinking.
The way Jasmine looked at me then—wide-eyed, flustered, undeniably aware—told me she’d heard every word.
And I didn’t regret it.
Not one bit.
~ JASMINE ~
“Good work getting Damien ready on time, Jess,” Richelle said, shooting me an appreciative smile as she stirred her coffee. “No one has ever been able to pull that off. He’s quite a handful.”
She chuckled, and I joined in, knowing exactly what she meant.
Damien Black wasn’t just demanding—he was precise.
Controlled.
Everything had to be done his way, on his time, and God help anyone who disrupted that rhythm. Getting him anywhere on schedule was an achievement worth celebrating.
“Well, it is Jess we’re talking about here,” Ray chimed in, leaning back in his chair. “She’s been handling him this long. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s already smitten by her charms.”
He winked at me, and I narrowed my eyes at him, though a small smile betrayed my irritation.
“Oh, shut up,” I muttered, rolling my eyes. “Are you guys going for the party Jace is throwing?”
The atmosphere shifted instantly.
Both Richelle and Ray stiffened.
The lightness drained from their expressions as though I’d said something forbidden.
“No,” Richelle answered slowly. “Damien never lets us attend. It’s… actually a shock he wants to go this time.”
Ray nodded in agreement. “So be careful, Jess. Damien and Jace aren’t exactly the best of friends.”
I furrowed my brows as they both grimaced.
“Don’t know why Damien wants to take you,” Richelle added gently, concern lacing her voice, “but you should be careful around Jace.”
That gave me pause.
Was it really that bad?
“Why?” I asked carefully. “What happened between them?”
My mind replayed the moments I’d witnessed—
Damien’s sharp glares whenever Jace was mentioned, the tension that clung to his name like a shadow. Those looks alone could bring even the strongest man to his knees.
Silence.
They exchanged a glance, one of those silent conversations people have when deciding whether to let someone in on a secret.
“Oh, come on,” I almost whined, folding my arms. “You can’t just stop there.”
Richelle sighed. “Fine. But we didn’t tell you.”
Ray nodded solemnly.
“They were actually the closest of friends once,” Richelle began. “Damien trusted Jace with everything. His business. His secrets. His life, basically.”
“And then something happened,” Ray continued.
“Something really bad. Bad enough that Damien cut him off completely. Threw him out of his life like he never existed.”