⋆Chapter 7: His Offer Comes with a Ring
"Another option?" Valerie felt relieved but wary.
“Yes. I’ll clear the debts, save your family.” His lips curved slightly. “But you marry me.”
"Are you out of your mind? We ended for a reason. You cheated.” Her jaw tightened. 6 months later, and I still have to remind you what I saw? I saw the picture, Damon. You on a chair, eyes closed, some woman between your legs.”
He waved a hand, dismissive. “And again, I was blackout drunk. Didn’t even know what was happening.”
“And you still cling to that excuse!” Her voice rose with anger. “You really expect me to believe you were too drunk to notice a blowjob?”
He stood, rounding the desk, his tailored burgundy suit catching the light. "You came to me today for my help, Valerie." Then his gaze raked over her, lingering on the hem of her dress. “And you're wearing that dress for a reason."
Before she could respond, he closed the distance, his lips crashing into hers. The kiss was deep and hungry, pulling up memories of nights they’d spent tangled together. Her hands pushed at his chest, but the fight was half-hearted.
“Damon, stop,” she said “There are people outside. Your assistant could knock any second.”
He pulled back, smirking, and grabbed his phone. “Lanie, cancel everything. Dubai too. No interruptions.” He hung up, crossed to the door, and locked it with a soft click. The room felt smaller, charged. “Now it’s just us.”
Her heart raced. “This doesn’t change anything.”
He stepped closer, hands finding her waist, lifting her onto the desk, papers and pens scattering across the polished wood. Her navy dress bunched at her hips, his hands firm on her thighs. “It changes everything.” His fingers slid under her dress, grazing her thighs. “You want my help? This is how we seal it.”
She caught his wrist, but her grip faltered as his touch climbed higher, slipping beneath the fabric. “Damon—”
“Say yes.” He tugged her panties down, his voice a low growl. “Think about it. No more worries. And us... we'd be together again.”
"This is wrong."
He ignored that, lips brushing her ear. "When we're married, I'll take fuck anywhere. Office, car, doesn't matter." His hand slid under her blouse, fingers warm on her skin. "So why wait?"
His steely blue eyes held hers. “You’re still that naughty girl, aren’t you?” His lips brushed her jaw. “Let’s see how much you want this deal.”
Her breath caught.
His fingers tightened, pulling her closer. “Moan for me, Valerie. Beg. Show me you’re in.”
She hesitated, but his touch undid her. Her hands gripped his shoulders, nails digging into his suit. “Damn you,” she whispered, then let out a soft moan as his hands moved higher, coaxing her body to respond.
Soon, the world outside the locked door vanished. It was just them, their rhythm building, desperate and consuming. His lips found hers again, swallowing her gasps, urging her to give in fully.
He yanked her down from the desk with a swift tug, his grip strong. “Turn around,” he ordered, spinning her so her back faced him.
He pressed her forward, bending her over the desk until her palms splayed across the wood, her arms spread wide. He removed her panties, exposing her ass to him.
Valerie’s heart pounded, the position thrilling and vulnerable, especially with faint voices drifting from outside the locked door.
Damon’s hands slid over her hips, lifting her dress higher. He leaned in, his breath hot against her ear. “This desk,” he growled, “will always remind me of you begging for me.”
He unzipped his pants, and without warning, he entered her from behind, making her gasp. His thrusts were rough, each one driving her forward, her fingers gripping the desk’s edge.
“Moan for me, Valerie,” he demanded, one hand snaking around to find her clit, teasing it with slow circles. “Show me you’re mine.”
She bit her lip, fighting the sounds building in her throat, but his touch was already working on her, pushing her toward the edge. “Damon,” she gasped, her body trembling as the pleasure built fast. “I’m—”
“Are you coming?” His voice was a taunt, his fingers pausing just as she teetered on the brink.
“Yes,” she breathed, desperate.
He stopped, pulling back slightly, leaving her aching and frustrated. “Not yet,” he said, smirking. “You come when I say.”
Her hands clenched, a low curse slipping out. “You’re an ass.”
He chuckled, resuming his thrusts, slower now, teasing, his fingers returning to her clit. “You love it.” He built her up again, her body tightening, only to stop once more when she whimpered, so close. “Beg for it,” he said.
“Please,” she hissed, hating how much she meant it, her body screaming for release.
He grinned, loving the power, and started again, thrusting harder. She was close, so close, when he paused a third time, drawing a frustrated groan from her.
“Damon, stop it.”
“Patience,” he said, his own breathing heavy now. “We’re doing this together.” He thrust again, deep and rough, his fingers working her clit faster. “Come with me, Valerie. Now.”
Her body obeyed, the tension snapping as he pushed her over the edge. But just as she began to climax, Damon pulled out, his hand moving to himself. He groaned, his release spilling across her lower back, warm and unexpected.
Valerie swore. “Damn it, Damon, you pulled out right when I—”
“Relax,” he cut in, still catching his breath. His fingers slid back to her clit, rubbing fast and sure, finishing what he’d started. Her body shuddered, the delayed climax hitting hard, leaving her gasping against the desk.
Panting, Valerie slumped against the desk, her dress still hiked up. Damon stepped back, his sandy blonde hair slightly mussed. He grinned, reaching down to pick up her discarded panties from the floor.
“These are mine now,” he said, tucking them into his pocket with a playful, possessive smirk.
Valerie straightened, smoothing her dress, cheeks flushed with anger and lingering heat. “Give them back, Damon. I’m not playing.”
He raised an eyebrow, stepping closer. “You sure? You played pretty well just now.” Before she could snap back, he turned to his desk, opening a drawer. “But I’ve got something better.”
Valerie frowned, adjusting her bracelet, trying to regain her composure. “What is it this time—a choker? Just to make sure everyone knows you own me?”
He only laughed, offering no reply, and reached inside the drawer. When he pulled out a small red box, the Cartier logo glaring in gold, her heart stuttered.
Leaving the desk, Damon crossed the room. He stopped in front of her, dropped to one knee, and flipped the box open to reveal an emerald-cut diamond ring, its facets blazing under the light.
“I kept it,” he said, voice low but steady. “From before. I never stopped wanting you, Valerie. Marry me. For real this time.”
Valerie looked from the ring to him, her blue eyes wide. Memories of his betrayal and her heartbreak flooded through her.
The proposal hung between them, and she couldn’t find her voice as the seconds dragged on.