Chapter 24 The Kiss That Demanded Answers
POV Damian:
No way!
The stunning eyes in front of me are wide, the red mouth is inviting a kiss, her scent hits my system in an instant, her breasts were mere milliseconds from my hands, and I hate myself for holding this tray. The expression of indifference quickly returns to her beautiful face. It’s her. All this time she’s been tormenting my mind, and here she is. How did I forget how fucking gorgeous she is? I looked her up and down, arched an eyebrow at the outfit she’s wearing. She works here?
“Excuse me.” Her voice sounded strange in my ears. Where’s the insolence?
“Wait, I think I know you,” I thought fast and grabbed her arm when she took a few steps as if to walk away. It took me that long to get my eyes on her; I’m not going to let her slip away so easily.
“I believe you must be mistaken. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to get back to work.” No way I’m letting her go.
I glance at her one more time, still trying to process that she’s standing right in front of me. Almost a month waiting for that damned woman to come find me, and now she’s literally in front of me and doesn’t even say hello? Doesn’t even recognize me. This is absurd. I decide to irritate her a little; I need to find out where her insolence went since the last time we met.
“Miss Monroe?” I smile to the side—love making her angry. Does she even realize her face is already all red? “Who would’ve thought.”
“Oh, how could I not recognize you. Mr. Blackwell, of course—how are you?” Is she kidding? She didn’t recognize me at first? I couldn’t forget her face for even a damn minute, and she barely remembers me?
“I’m fine,” I answered reluctantly. I glanced around the diner in silent reproach. She refused to work at my company to be working here? “You work here?”
I want to ask why she chose this diner instead of my company, but this is not the right moment for such a question.
“Yes. So, if you’ll excuse me, I need to get back to work.” She turned and walked quickly away from me.
Daughter of a...
“Who is it?” Madison’s annoying voice reminded me she was still at my side.
“Better we go,” I deflected.
The drive back is torturous. Madison tries to extend any conversation between us while I can’t stop thinking about that insolent woman in that horrible yellow uniform, covered in grease. Seeing her like that bothered me—no, it bothered me a lot. Not because she’s working at a diner—I don’t judge, and it wouldn’t be my place to. I just don’t understand how a woman with her résumé accepts less than she deserves. Not to mention the check—if she had deposited it she wouldn’t need to work there.
I should have swallowed my pride and hired her outright. She wasn’t to blame for parking in my spot, and I shouldn’t have acted like a... Shit, she’s right to have called me an asshole. That’s what I am.
“Everything okay, Damian?” I stop at a red light and look at Madison, who eats some fries. “You didn’t touch your order. Weren’t you hungry?” she jokes, but I’m not in the mood.
“I’m very tired.” I resume driving, not caring about the scowl on Madison’s face. “We’ll finish the meeting tomorrow,” I say, leaving no room for contradiction.
I return to my thoughts while she chatters on, unaware I pay no attention to anything she says. When I park in front of the company, I wait for her to get out, and before I expect it, Madison leans in to kiss my cheek. I clench my jaw, hating her audacity.
“Thanks, Damian. See you tomorrow.” She climbs out of the car, practically throwing her ass in my face.
“See you.” That’s all I say, then peel out in the car, heading straight to the only place I can’t stop thinking about. Now that I know where the insolent woman is, I’m not going anywhere until I have all my answers.
...
Walking into the diner, I still can’t stop looking at this woman. Scarlett’s at the register—so distracted and so beautiful. What is it about her that does this to me…? As she notices me coming in, she bites her lower lip and looks around—what is she searching for? An exit? I hold back a smile forming on my lips. You won’t run from me, baby.
“I had to come back to ask you something.” I get close enough for her sweet scent to hit me full on. Perfect. “What did you do with the check?” I ask quietly, making a point of not disguising my hoarse tone.
“What?” The way she furrows her brows, her eyes lost, makes me change my approach.
“Why are you working here?” Looking at that uniform on her body is an outrage. Doesn’t she realize she deserves silk?
“Look, I don’t know what you’re talking about, and I don’t owe you any explanation about where I work or why.” She doesn’t aim for the best? Doesn’t she want to claim her place in the world? Is being “just a waitress” enough for her?
“I just don’t understand…” Scarlett, tell me why you’re working here instead of depositing the check? I’d like to ask, but I don’t have the right to question her. “You didn’t come looking to curse me out or hit me, and you didn’t even deposit the check. Just tell me why.” At least that, I won’t stop wanting to know.