Chapter 206 206
Damien had tried more than once to convince her to stop going back to work, but Jacqueline had gently coaxed him into letting her continue. She couldn’t bear the thought of sitting idly at home while he carried every responsibility on his shoulders alone.
Things had begun to settle into a fragile rhythm. The doctors had started Mathieu’s proper treatment, and after several discussions they had decided to proceed with a bone marrow transplant. Damien had stepped forward without hesitation, taking complete responsibility for the medical expenses.
It had been a week since Mathieu’s treatment began. The boy was still admitted at the hospital because the doctors wanted to keep him under careful observation.
Jacqueline spent most of her time there beside her brother’s bed.
Lately, though, she hadn’t been feeling quite like herself. A persistent wave of nausea followed her throughout the day, leaving her dizzy and uneasy more often than not. Still, she pushed through it. Damien and her friends had been her greatest support during this difficult time.
Gilles eventually forced her to leave the hospital for the evening, insisting that he would stay with Mathieu for the night. She was deeply grateful for that kindness.
Damien drove her back to the apartment.
The moment they stepped inside, Jacqueline dropped onto the couch in the lounge with a long, exhausted sigh.
Damien closed the door behind them and wandered into the kitchen. After pouring himself a glass of water, he filled another and brought it over to her.
Jacqueline straightened slightly, taking the glass from his hand. She gulped down the cool water gratefully before thanking him.
The past few days had been entirely consumed by Mathieu’s condition. Watching her younger brother endure such a painful phase of life had been heartbreaking, but she refused to let him face it alone.
They would overcome this together.
Damien lowered himself onto the couch beside her, resting his arm along the backrest behind her head.
Jacqueline hesitated, biting her lower lip as she debated something silently within herself.
Slowly, she leaned closer.
Resting her head against his chest, she sighed softly.
Without hesitation, his arm wrapped around her shoulders, pulling her nearer. She slipped her arms around his torso, hugging him gently as she inhaled his earthy, intoxicating scent, a scent that had slowly become something she craved.
His fingers moved through her hair, stroking it softly.
Sometimes she could hardly believe she was lucky enough to receive affection from a man like him.
Throughout the entire week, he had never once pushed for physical closeness. Not even once. Instead, he had remained by her side in the way she needed most—steady, patient, and unwavering.
“You’re so sweet,” she murmured softly, pressing a small kiss against his chest.
He grunted.
Then scoffed.
“Sweet?” he muttered gruffly.
Jacqueline couldn’t help the giggle that slipped from her lips.
Her laughter had barely faded when suddenly she felt herself lifted.
In the blink of an eye, she was sitting on his lap, straddling him.
A surprised gasp escaped her as her hands instinctively clutched his shoulders.
Their eyes met.
And in that moment, the world seemed to disappear.
Over the past week she hadn’t allowed herself time to dwell on certain questions. Questions that had lingered quietly at the back of her mind.
What had happened to his first love?
Why had he chosen her?
Did he truly love her now… or was he simply willing to give them a chance?
A thousand questions swirled through her thoughts.
But as she looked into his eyes, those thoughts faded away like mist in the sunlight. All she could see were those striking olive-green eyes that seemed to hold her completely captive.
Damien remained still, studying her face carefully as though he wanted to memorize every single detail.
Jacqueline leaned forward.
Gently, almost shyly, she pressed her lips to his.
The kiss was soft.
Tender.
He didn’t move.
For a moment he didn’t even seem to breathe as her soft lips moved against his.
But there was only so much restraint a man like Damien could maintain.
His hands slid over her body, his fingers tangling into her thick, silky hair as he gripped it lightly. Tilting her head back to deepen the angle of the kiss.
His other hand moved to her hip, pulling her closer against him.
Jacqueline gasped softly when she felt the unmistakable tension in his body.
Damien took the opportunity instantly.
His tongue slipped into her mouth, and the kiss deepened into something far more consuming. Their breaths mingled as their tongues moved together, battling for control.
As always, Damien dominated the moment, claiming the kiss completely intense and unrelenting.
Yet Jacqueline surprised him.
With surprising boldness, she caught his tongue between her lips, sucking on it in a teasing, sensual motion.
A deep, guttural groan tore from his throat.
Abruptly, he broke the kiss and pulled her head back slightly, staring directly into her eyes.
Those eyes.
They looked at him with so much affection and devotion that it stirred something primal inside him something wild and possessive that made him want to roar to the world that she belonged to him.
“Not now,” he rasped.
Jacqueline blinked.
The small smile that had been playing on her lips faded instantly. Confusion crept across her face.
“I… I’m sorry,” she whispered.
She quickly pulled her hands away from his chest.
“I—I did something wrong, didn’t I? I’m sorry…”
Her words tumbled out in a nervous rush, and Damien felt his chest twist painfully at the sight.
Just because he had stopped her.
God, he was the luckiest man alive to have a woman like her.
Releasing her hair, he lifted his hand and gently cupped her cheek, guiding her gaze back to his.
“You didn’t do anything wrong, baby,” he said softly.
She looked at him with wide, innocent eyes.
Those eyes alone were enough to make his chest feel like it might burst.
“If we keep going,” he continued huskily, “I won’t be able to stop. And I want our second time to be special for you.”
Her heart fluttered wildly at his words.
Slowly, she lifted her hand, her fingertips brushing lightly along the line of his jaw. Tilting her head slightly to the side, she gazed at him with those large, shimmering eyes.
“You really are sweet,” she whispered gently.
Damien grunted again.
Taking her hand in his rough one, he brought her palm to his lips and pressed several soft kisses against it.
“I’m not sweet,” he grumbled.
Jacqueline giggled.
“You’re adorable too,” she added playfully, reaching up with her other hand to pinch his cheek.
His eyes narrowed instantly.
“I’m not any of those things,” he muttered.
She burst into laughter, clearly enjoying teasing him.
Her laughter cut off abruptly when his hand slid around her neck, holding her firmly as he pulled her closer again.
His voice dropped low, rough with promise.
“You won’t be calling me sweet or adorable when I’m driving you crazy and making you scream my name.”
Jacqueline’s eyes widened.
Heat rushed straight through her body, settling deep within her.
Flustered beyond words, she pushed against his chest and scrambled off his lap so quickly that it caught him completely off guard.
Without another word, she hurried down the hallway.
The bedroom door slammed shut behind her.
Inside, Jacqueline leaned against it, breathing heavily as her cheeks burned crimson.
“That man is insane,” she muttered to herself, pressing her hot face into her hands.