Chapter 46 *
Scarlett's POV
I backed up a step. He followed.
"Scarlett." His voice dropped lower."Did you think I would marry someone just on paper? Put my name on a marriage certificate and then live like roommates?"
"I mean... kind of? Yeah?"
His expression darkened.
"You thought I'd let my wife live under my roof, carry my child, and then what? Let her walk away when it's convenient?" He was close now. Too close. I could feel the heat coming off him.
My heart was pounding. From panic. From confusion. From something else I didn't want to name.
"You never said that." My throat felt tight.
"I thought it was obvious."
"It wasn't!"
"Well now you know."
We stared at each other.
The heavy silence stretched out. Damon's expression shifted. Got harder. More determined.
"Looks like you still haven't understood your position." His voice went cold. Clinical. "Let me help you understand."
Before I could respond, he pulled me against him.
Hard.
My chest hit his. All air left my lungs.
His arms wrapped around me. Steel bands. Trapping me.
"Damon, what are you—"
His mouth crashed down on mine.
I froze.
My eyes went wide.
My brain completely shut down.
He was kissing me.
Damon was kissing me.
And it wasn't gentle. Wasn't sweet. Wasn't tentative.
It was demanding. Possessive. Almost aggressive.
His hand came up. Fisted in my hair. Tilted my head back so he could deepen the kiss.
I made a small sound of protest.
He ignored it.
His other hand pressed against my lower back. Pulled me even closer.
Every inch of me was pressed against every inch of him.
I could feel his heartbeat. His warmth. His strength.
My hands were trapped between us. Pushing weakly against his chest.
This is crazy. This is insane. We're supposed to be having a rational conversation about our marriage arrangement!
But rational thoughts were getting harder to hold onto.
Because he was really good at this.
Way too good.
His lips moved against mine with practiced confidence. Like he knew exactly what he was doing.
My knees felt weak.
No. No no no. Don't you dare.
But my body wasn't listening to my brain.
My resistance started melting.
My hands stopped pushing. Started gripping his shirt instead.
He made a low sound in his throat. Satisfaction.
The kiss changed. Got deeper. More intense.
I couldn't breathe.
Couldn't think.
Could only feel.
His mouth. His hands. His body pressed against mine.
Heat flooded through me. Starting from where we were connected. Spreading outward.
My face was burning.
Just when I thought I might actually pass out from lack of oxygen, he pulled back.
Just slightly.
His forehead rested against mine. His breathing was heavy. Ragged.
Mine wasn't much better.
I gasped for air. My whole body was shaking.
His hand was still in my hair. Still holding me in place.
His thumb brushed across my swollen lips. Slowly. Deliberately.
I shivered.
His eyes were dark. Intense. Fixed on mine.
"Now." His voice was rough. "Do you understand who I am to you?"
I couldn't speak. Could barely breathe.
My face felt like it was on fire.
"Damon, you... you can't just..."
The words died in my throat.
His thumb pressed against my bottom lip. Gentle but firm.
"Can't just what?" His voice dropped even lower. "Kiss my wife?"
The word sent another shiver through me.
His hand slid from my hair down to my jaw. Cupped my face."You're mine, Scarlett. Legally. Completely."
My heart was trying to break out of my chest.
"Let me make this very clear." His thumb traced my jawline. "I'm your husband. The only man who has the right to touch you like this. To kiss you like this."
He leaned in closer. His breath hot against my ear.
"If you still don't understand what that means..."
"I don't mind showing you."
The implication was crystal clear.
My whole body went rigid.
Heat flooded my face. My neck. My ears.
Oh my God.
He pulled back just enough to look at me. One eyebrow raised.
"Unless you'd prefer I demonstrate right now?"
"No!" The word burst out.
His mouth curved. Not quite a smile. Something more dangerous.
"No?"
"I mean—" My face was burning so hot I thought I might combust. "I understand! I get it! You don't have to—"
"Don't have to what?"
He leaned in again. His mouth right next to my ear.
"Say it clearly, Scarlett. What don't I have to do?"
His teeth caught my earlobe. Gently. Just the barest pressure.
My entire body jolted.
A small, embarrassing sound escaped my throat.
"Damon!" I practically shrieked.
That did it.
I shoved against his chest with all my strength.
He let me go.
I stumbled back. Both hands flying up to cover my burning ears.
My whole face felt like it was on fire.
I turned and ran.
Didn't look back.
Didn't stop until I was in my room with the door locked.
I dove onto my bed. Buried my face in my pillow.
My heart was still racing. Pounding so hard it hurt.
What the hell just happened?
I lay there for a full five minutes. Trying to get my breathing under control.
Trying to process what just happened.
Damon kissed me.
No. He didn't just kiss me.
He claimed me.
Like I was actually his wife.
Like this was actually real.
I rolled onto my back. Stared at the ceiling.
My lips still tingled. My ear was still burning where his teeth had—
NO. Don't think about that.
I pressed my palms against my flaming cheeks.
This is bad.
This is really bad.
I thought Damon was this old, boring, business-focused guy.
I thought he'd be stiff and formal and totally uninterested in anything physical.
I was SO wrong.
He's... he's...
I didn't even know men could be like that.
That confident. That intense. That... skilled.
Oh God.
My mind went to a very dangerous place.
If he kisses like that, what else can he...
NOPE.
I sat up abruptly. Shook my head hard.
Don't go there. Do NOT go there.
My face burned hotter.