Chapter 17

Vivianna

Damon had asked if I could sort out his files, and being my day off from the hall, I agreed.

As always, I rode my bike from the hall, which was around two miles from his home, when a storm came over followed by a huge downpour.

Drenched from head to foot, I let myself into his home. I started to shiver, and since I was alone, removed my clothes and tossed them into the dryer.

I had a quick hot shower, and with nothing to wear, grabbed one of Damon’s T-shirts, hoping he wouldn’t mind.

The heating was on, making it comfortable walking around barefooted on the luxuriantly warm wooden floorboards.

I grabbed the box of files and popped them into their appropriate bundle—accounts in one bundle and architectural designs for the boot camp in another pile. I lingered over the drawings, impressed by Damon’s vision.

Helping damaged teenagers seemed like the farthest thing I would have imagined a billionaire doing.

I thought about my own troubled youth, when I spent most of my time worrying instead of hanging out with kids my age. I would hide in my room when my mother and stepfather were home, and when he was there alone, I’d jump on my bike and ride for hours.

As a teenager, would boot camp have helped me? I’d spent so many gloomy hours alone, thinking of ending my life.

I took a deep breath, tossed those dark thoughts aside, and continued to place the paperwork in its respective file.

After I finished filing, I headed into the kitchen for a cup of tea and to clear away the dishes.

I opened the dishwasher and bent over to remove the cleaned dishes when “Vivianna” sounded over my shoulder.

I turned and nearly dropped a plate.

My mouth dropped and my eyes virtually popped out of my head. I must have looked idiotic.

Who else was I expecting?

Having gone commando, I’d flashed my bum when bending over.

He’s seen more than your arse, you idiot.

I gulped back a lump. “Oh, I…”

He rubbed his neck. His face had turned red. Probably not as red as mine. But it was his eyes. Oh, my god, they had changed to a darker blue. How the hell did he do that?

Running his tongue over those lips that had launched a thousand fantasies, he cleared his throat.

“I see you’ve taken to wearing my clothes.”

“Um… aah…” Having turned brainless, I stammered. “I got caught in a storm, riding over here. I had to have a shower, and my clothes, which should be dried now, are in the dryer.”

His mouth twitched into the makings of a smile, like he found my awkwardness amusing. Or that could have been me misreading him. I wasn’t exactly thinking straight after the humiliation of him seeing my naked bum.

“Sure. I don’t mind. It suits you. Stay like that if you like.”

A nervous giggle scraped my throat. “I’ll go and see. They should be dry by now.”

I scampered off before he could respond.

Having changed back into my dampish clothes, I entered the living area and found Damon on the sofa reading through documents.

“I finished the filing.”

He looked up and his gaze lingered. “Good. Thanks for that. It wasn’t too messy, I hope?”

“It was easy. And look, um… about your T-shirt. I got it from the basket of washed clothes. I didn’t go through your drawers.”

“It’s all good. I’m not worried. It suited you.” His eyes held mine and my legs went to jelly.

“Um, I best be off then.” I went to get my backpack.

“How’s your course going?”

“Good, thanks. I’m managing to get things done.”

That wasn’t quite true. Due to my hours at the hall and now working for Damon, I’d fallen behind. The fact I’d become addled since catching him in the shower hadn’t helped.

And now, he’d caught me. He’d seen my big arse.

How fucking embarrassing.

“You’re finding the time, I hope?” His eyes drilled into mine as though he could read my thoughts.

“I just need to organise my time a little better, I guess.”

He reached into his leather satchel and handed me an envelope heavy with cash.

I stared down with disbelief at all the notes. “This seems too much.”

He waved it off. “Don’t worry. We’re helping each other.”

“But hey, look, I’m fully waged now. I’m not expecting charity.” My voice cracked.

“It’s not charity. I can afford it. Your help is of a real value to me. I’m a very private person. Trust is worth paying for.”

“That’s understandable. I don’t trust people easily either.” I shifted from one spot to another.

“Do you want a coffee?” he asked. “Or do you have to run off?”

I glanced down at my watch. “I’d love that, but I’m running late.”

“Let me drive you.” He put down the file and rose.

I shook my head. “No. It’s fine. It’s a quick bike ride.”

“It’s wet outside. Please, let me.” He tilted his head, and with that half-smile of his I would have agreed to anything.

I followed him outside, and he opened the SUV door for me.

“Thanks,” I said, climbing in. “This is so kind of you.”

“The pleasure’s all mine.” He smiled sweetly.

As we drove down that leafy laneway, which glowed an iridescent green, I asked, “Do you know the way?”

“Sure do.” He took the roundabout up the hill that I often struggled with when riding my bike.

“Are you just learning scales?” he asked.

“I’m meant to practice those on my own. I’m learning a Beethoven piece.”

“I spoke to my mother about your using the piano in the west wing sitting room.”

“That would be amazing. I thought I might need to buy a portable electric.”

“No need,” he said. “Use it when you like.”

I released a breath, which he must have heard because he glanced at me.

“Is there something the matter?”

Yes. I can’t stop playing with my clit when I should be playing the piano.

“No. It’s all good. And thanks for your generosity, by the way. All of this wouldn’t be possible without it.” I choked up.

Regardless of how he’d fired up my libido, Damon was such a kind man. I just wish he didn’t look like he’d just stepped off a Hollywood set.

He pulled out in front of the college and turned to look at me. His hand landed on the top of my hand, unleashing an electrical storm through my body. And that was just from his hand resting gently as any good soul’s might.

Get a fucking grip.

“I’m not going to rest until those deviants are charged for what they did to you, including your stepfather.”

My head turned so sharply I felt a twinge of pain in my neck. “I really don’t want that.”

He gazed into my eyes, and they softened into that swoony turquoise. I almost forgot that we were discussing the monsters of my past.

“Damon, please, I beg you to forget everything I told you.” I couldn’t breathe all of a sudden. It was like I’d been winded. I could feel a panic attack building as colliding thoughts spun out of control.

I removed my hand abruptly and started to wring my hands, looking anywhere but his handsome face. “I shouldn’t have said anything. I’m good now. I’ve moved on.” Although I squeezed muscles to conceal an involuntary spasm from head to toe, I managed a quivery smile as I faced him.

His hand came to rest on mine again, calming my agitation. My heart warmed at how his gaze resonated with sympathy. I think he understood my pain, by the way his eyes reflected tenderness towards me. “Your stepfather needs to be reported.” His voice soft and cajoling in sharp contradiction to this vile subject matter. “And one day soon, I will convince you to do that. He’s a fucking worm.”

He’s more than a worm.

The thought of sitting in a courtroom dredging up those creepy bedroom scenes turned me to ice.

Lost to these disturbing thoughts, I hadn’t noticed Damon opening the door and offering me his hand to help me down. That chivalrous gesture helped me snap back to the here and now as I took his large hand.

Damon wouldn’t meddle in my past. I’d see to that.

With that in mind, I let go of everything and breathed him in instead.

One didn’t need drugs around this man. A whiff of his unique scent wafted through me, and I tripped off to a warm, sensuous oasis away from ugly experiences.

“Thank you. I could have done that myself.” My speech centre had finally woken. That cologne was killing me. It should be made illegal for tampering with my motor skills.

“I’ll see you at the hall. There’s a dinner tomorrow.” He smiled sweetly.

Good. All that dark shit forgotten.

“That’s right. I have to work.”

Despite work eating into my study, I couldn’t wait to see him.

I was besotted. Infatuated. Just like the legion of women who encountered Damon Manson, no doubt.

But did he look at them as tenderly as he did me?