Chapter 209 209
The drive stretched on in painful silence, and Jacqueline found herself hating every second of it.
Damien sat behind the wheel looking as brooding as ever irritated, distant, and devastatingly handsome. He wore black slacks paired with a fitted black button-up shirt that clung tightly to the powerful lines of his body. The top two buttons were left undone, revealing a tempting glimpse of his broad, muscular chest. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, exposing forearms laced with veins that flexed every time his hand tightened around the steering wheel.
Jacqueline couldn’t stop staring.
Even the simple wristwatch on his arm somehow looked attractive on him.
Her gaze traveled upward until it reached his face only to freeze when she realized he was already looking straight at her.
Startled, she quickly blurted out, “I don’t want to die. Eyes on the road, please.”
Her voice came out hurried and flustered.
Thankfully, the large, grumpy man silently shifted his attention back to driving.
He had already caught her staring once before, yet that hadn’t stopped her. Her eyes drifted back to him again, studying him with quiet fascination. She noticed how irritated he became every time they hit another red light. He drove with one hand resting casually on the wheel while the other lay relaxed on his lap.
His thick black lashes alone were enough to make most women jealous.
“Stop eye-fucking me,” he muttered gruffly, “unless you want me to take you right here, right now.”
Jacqueline bit back a smile and finally looked away.
His blunt mouth was truly something else.
To ease the awkwardness, she turned on the radio. Soft music filled the car, and almost instantly she felt lighter. A quiet hum escaped her lips as she followed along with the melody.
Still, the drive felt endless. Wherever he was taking her, it seemed to be far outside the city.
Eventually, Damien pulled the car to a stop in front of what appeared to be a farmhouse on the outskirts.
“Stay here,” he said before stepping out.
A man approached and greeted him at the entrance. They exchanged a few quiet words before the man nodded and walked away.
Moments later, Damien came around to Jacqueline’s side and opened the door.
She stepped out.
“You can give me my coat back now,” he said curtly.
Jacqueline frowned.
Why was he being so cranky tonight?
“You could’ve asked nicely,” she muttered under her breath with a small huff.
Still, she slipped the coat off her shoulders and handed it back to him. Without waiting for him to guide her, she turned and walked inside on her own.
A few seconds later, a warm hand settled against the exposed skin of her lower back.
The touch sent a sudden jolt racing down her spine.
Damien guided her toward the staircase, leading her up to the rooftop without saying a word.
Jacqueline kept silent as well.
When they reached the door, he stepped past her and pressed a few buttons on a nearby control panel.
Suddenly, the entire rooftop lit up.
Jacqueline gasped.
Damien opened the glass door and led her outside into the cool evening air.
The sight before her left her speechless.
Fairy lights twinkled everywhere, casting a warm glow across the rooftop. Fresh flowers decorated nearly every corner, filling the space with soft fragrance and delicate beauty.
She stood there in awe until Damien gently guided her toward a small table set for two.
He pulled out her chair, and she sat down.
What a gentleman.
She tried very hard not to smile as he draped his coat over the back of his chair and took the seat across from her. A nearby side table already held an array of beautifully prepared dishes.
Damien uncorked a bottle of champagne and poured them both a glass.
Jacqueline took a small sip, glancing down at the table.
She had expected them to talk.
Instead, Damien quietly began serving the food.
She swallowed the small frown threatening to appear.
The meal tasted wonderful, but her appetite had vanished under the weight of her nerves. She ate only a few bites before slowly pushing the food around her plate.
Across from her, Damien continued eating in silence.
She was starting to dislike this date.
If all they had come here to do was eat dinner, she could have easily cooked for him at home.
“Why aren’t you eating?” Damien finally asked, breaking the silence.
“I’m full,” she replied softly.
He nodded.
Silence settled over them again.
After a moment, Damien sighed and stood up. Walking around the table, he stopped beside her and extended his hand.
Jacqueline’s eyes lit up instantly.
They were going to dance.
Excited, she placed her hand in his large one.
But instead of leading her to the open space nearby, Damien guided her toward a cozy outdoor seating area.
He sat down on a cushioned settee and gently pulled her down beside him.
Jacqueline settled next to him quietly.
Then her attention shifted to the small birdcage resting on the table nearby.
Her face brightened.
“Oh! Hey there, little red bird,” she said softly, leaning forward with a smile.
The bird chirped in response.
Damien watched her in silence as she spoke to the bird, her voice gentle and amused.
After a moment, he sighed and rubbed his face once before turning fully toward her.
Reaching forward, he took her hand.
The movement caught her attention immediately.
Jacqueline straightened and looked at him, confusion flickering in her eyes.
Damien slid two fingers beneath her chin and gently tilted her face upward, drawing her closer until their breaths mingled.
“I want you to know something,” he murmured in that deep, rough voice.
“You’re the most precious person to me.”
His cologne wrapped around her senses, dizzying and warm.
Jacqueline felt her head spin.
She was… the most precious to him?
The joy swelling inside her barely had time to settle before his lips claimed hers.
The kiss was sudden, passionate, and consuming.
Jacqueline didn’t care that it would ruin her lipstick.
She kissed him back just as eagerly.
One… two… three…
She counted silently in her mind.
Right on cue, his fingers slipped into her thick hair, gripping a handful as he tilted her head to deepen the kiss.
He devoured her lips thoroughly until she finally tapped weakly against his chest, signaling that she needed air.
He pulled back at once.
Jacqueline panted softly as he rested his forehead against hers.
After a moment, Damien leaned away slightly and cupped her cheek, gazing deeply into her eyes.
“I need to tell you something,” he said quietly.
The seriousness in his tone made Jacqueline tense instantly.