Chapter 48 A HUNDRED OF WILD HORSES.
\~~~SERENA.
I stood there in the middle of the room, staring at Damien for what felt like forever. The balcony doors let in a soft breeze, carrying the scent of lake water and flowers, but all I could focus on was him.
This place, this life… It was too much. Tears pricked at my eyes again, and before I knew it, I crossed the room to him. My arms wrapped around his waist, and I buried my face in his chest. He smelled so good like always.
He didn't hug me back right away. He just stood still, like he was giving me space to feel whatever this was. I didn't mind. It let me sink into the moment, and my cheek pressed against the fabric of his shirt, listening to his steady heartbeat.
“Thank you,” I finally whispered, my voice muffled.
Finally, his hand rested on my waist, warm and firm. I pulled away gently, looking up at him. My eyes stung with tears and I sniffed, “I didn't think you'd go out of your way to do this for me, but... thank you. God, it…”
I sniffed, trying to hold it together. But one tear slipped free, trailing down my cheek. “Thank you.”
I had never expected luxury like this. Not this way.
I had never imagined sleeping or waking up in places like this, breathing air that felt untouched by struggle. Not after everything.
After my father died, everything fell apart.
The debts he left behind swallowed us whole. My mother worked herself thin, her hands always tired, and her smile always forced. I grew up watching her choose bills over herself, and survival over dreams.
I had promised myself I would fix everything someday. I would succeed fast and that I would give her back the life she lost.
But now, standing here in luxury I didn’t earn, I felt lost.
Did I deserve this?
This villa, the private jet, Italy… it all hit me like a wave.
The sudden status that all began because of my mess with Ryan.
That stupid issue that dragged me into Damien's world.
Again, did I deserve this? Part of me screamed yes, soaking it up.
But another twisted part of me twisted that it was right to feel so damn good and to never want these feelings to end, even if it started rocky.
Damien's thumb brushed my cheek, wiping away the tear. I snapped back to the present, blinking up at him. “Thank you,” I sniffed again.
“God, I don't know how to…” My words cut off as his lips crashed down on mine suddenly, and hungry.
My eyes widened, and my hands fisted his shirt, but my body betrayed me. I kissed him back, hard, and leaned into him like I wanted to melt right through his skin. Heat bloomed in my chest, and spread so fast.
Remembering our vow of no crossing that line again after last time, I pulled back, gasping. My heart pounded as I said, “I was…” I cleared my throat, looking away, cheeks burning.
Awkward silence hung heavy and to break it, I blurted, “Whose property is this, though? You rented it? Who is Alison to you?”
He started unbuttoning his shirt as he answered, casual as ever. “It is mine.”
“W-what is yours?” I widened my eyes, staring.
“This property.”
Before I could process that, he continued, sighing like he was picking words carefully. He pulled off his shirt, tossing it aside. My gaze locked on his bare chest, smooth skin over hard muscle, and the kind that made my mouth dry. I swallowed hard.
“And Alison... hmm,” he said, “I like to think she is my mother.”
“Huh?” I raised my brows, tearing my eyes from his torso.
“I was taken to the Hale mansion when I was only five, and Alison was the first person to warm up to me.”
“ don't…” I pressed my lips together, wondering if I should push. His story sounded heavy, but he said it so matter-of-factly.
“My father had an affair with his secretary, and they had me. He took me from her when he found out about the baby which was me five years later, so I started living with him.”
“Ah…” I nodded, but he didn't look pained. It was like he was chatting about groceries, not his messed-up family.
“So... your mother?”
“You are a very curious person, Moonlight,” he chuckled, that deep sound sending shivers down my spine.
Then he started undoing his belt. I gasped. “What are you doing?!”
“Undressing?
“I can see that. I mean... Why in front of me?” I stuttered, heat flooding my face.
He chuckled softly and crossed the space between us, leaning down so his face was level with mine. “Does it bother you, baby girl?”
“Bother me?” I let out a nervous laugh, fanning my face with my hand.
“Then why is your face red?” he asked, his eyes locked on mine.
“I am j… just…’' I swallowed, my gaze dropping to his abs as he stood straight leading down to the sharp V that dipped into his pants.
God, what a dangerous man this was.
My pulse raced, and my thighs pressed together without thinking.
Before I could finish the thought, he scooped me up like I weighed nothing and I gasped with my legs dangling. “What are you doing?!”
Damien didn't answer. He carried me to the bed and dropped me in the middle, the soft mattress bouncing under me. He bent over, his face inches from mine, arms caging me in. Heat radiated off him.
“W… what are you…’' I hiccuped, my breath catching.
“Alison said she put in a lot of work to get this room done.”
“So…?”
“So, I was thinking of living up to her expectations,” he said, glancing at my lips, then back to my eyes.
“B… but ... we can't…”
He cut me off with a short kiss, soft but firm. “You were saying?’' He raised a brow.
“The last time... we said... to not do this again…’' I hiccuped, the words tumbling out.
“We can just set another rule, Moonlight.” He kissed me again, longer this time, his tongue teasing mine. I moaned into his mouth, my hands sliding up his back.
“B… but…” Another moan escaped me as his hand cupped my breast through my shirt, his thumb circling my nipple. It hardened instantly, sending sparks straight to my core.
“You were saying, Ena?” he murmured against my lips, squeezing gently.
“A... promise is a promise…”
“Tell me to stop, and I will, baby.”
Tell him to stop?
Oh, fuck no.
Even a hundred of wild horses can't force those words out of me.
My body arched toward him, craving more.
“Then, only this once…’' I moaned, as he worked my breast, pinching lightly.
He smiled softly, “Only this once, Moonlight.”
It's not like one more time would hurt, would it?