Chapter 76: CHAPTER SEVENTY-FIVE —Just how do you feel about me?

After Jessica left, Damian stood watching the door, lost in thought. He couldn’t make up his mind yet if he should go into her bedroom, or just head home. But he couldn’t leave her here by herself. Not in this state she was in. So, he found himself strolling purposefully towards her room. She was curled up in bed. He was broken seeing her that way. Ainsley was a strong woman and this left her so shaken up. He swore under his breath. He was going to deal with those Latinos himself if he had the chance. He sent a quick text to his PI and then to Jessica too. Then he tucked the phone away before approaching her.

She turned when her bedroom down opened. seeing Damian, she sat up. “What?” she asked, thinking he needed something and that Jessica was still waiting outside.

“Hey.” he said, walking to her bed. He got in, curled up behind her, and drew her closer to him. “Whatever you need, baby” he whispered in her ears. “I’ll be here with you” they stayed curled up all night that way.

Jessica told the cabman to drop her somewhere close to her apartment. She was going to walk the short distance home. While she strolled, Damian sent her a text that he would be spending the night. “She’s in good hands then.” she said with a smile as she looked ahead. A few steps away, she saw a gathered group of people with glowing lights. A band was playing and the folks around stood watching, dancing, and cheering on the band. There was nothing back home to do, or rush to anyway. Mabel had gone back home or so she claimed. The room would be so boring without her to talk with tonight. With a shrug, she headed towards the large crowd.

“Here, take.” said a man passing Jessica a glowing stick.

She took the light thankfully and waved along with others cheerfully. It wasn’t uncommon for this kind of gathering when the year was ending in Texas. Everyone wanted to be happy. The band played common thanksgiving songs which the residents lip-sync joyfully. Jessie didn’t know some of the songs. But on her part, she sang the ones she knew wholeheartedly. When her phone rang, she didn’t hear it. Then a text came in and the phone vibrated. She brought it out. McCarthy had left several missed calls. Without thinking, she called him back. “Hey”

“Where are you?” he asked.

“I’m a stone throw from my apartment. What’s that?”

“I’m at your apartment.” he told her, “I…”

“I’m right in front of the building with people gathered in front of a band, with glowing lights.” she told him. She didn’t mind the company. She stepped away from the crowd so he could spot her easily. Sighting him, she waved her stick at him happily. “Hey.” she said, giving him a warm hug.

“Jess” he breathed, wrapping her in his warm embrace like he was never letting her go. He breathed in her scent and kissed her forehead. Together, they stayed and watched the band till they finished playing, and then they walked home together afterward.

“Are you spending the night?” Jess asked, opening her door. She stepped aside so he could come in. Just when she thought she’d have to spend the night alone because her friend had left. Now, she was having a new roomie. She smiled as he nodded and walked in.

“Do you mind?”

She didn’t know what the reply to that should be. So, she just nodded, and let it slide. Once inside, she went to the refrigerator and brought out some juice. “What can I offer you?” she asked, staring at her fridge. It sure looks boring to her. There was not a single alcoholic drink in there.

He brought out a small wine bottle from his pocket with a timid shy. The last time he came here and she was with her friend, he had a glimpse of what was in that fridge. The content didn’t hold any wine. It might have been just a one-time thing. So, he had brought this just on the off chance it wasn’t. “I brought company.” he said, holding it up.

“Nice” she replied, heading for the dining where she picked up two cups. She dropped them on the table and excused herself. “I’ll just change into something comfortable and be right back.” she said to him. When he looked at her oddly and starred at his outfit, she smiled. “I got you, no worries.” she assured. “I have something you can change into”

“Okay, thank you.” he said, opening the wine bottle while she walked barefooted towards the bedroom, he supposed.

The next morning, Ainsley woke up well spent. Her aching body felt better, and she noticed how warm she was this morning unlike most mornings lately. Could it be because of the warm presence in her bed? She mused, turning to look at the man sleeping peacefully on her bed. Shaking her head, she stood to leave the bed.

He grabbed her then, pulling her back in bed. “Hey you”

She greeted him shyly but pulled back. “Good morning, and get out of my bed.” she said, pulling her hand from his firm hold.

“So rude.” Damian said, letting her go. “I wanted to keep you company.” he explained, “You look like you needed one”

She definitely needed one. And now that he mentioned it. Jake! She couldn’t help but think of what must have become of the travelers last night while she had been sleeping so peacefully. Turning around to search for her phone, she asked, “Have you seen my phone?”

He nodded towards the living room. “Yes. But if it’s about Jake and Axel, they are all right”

“And how would you know that?” she blurted out before realizing it. of course, he knew. Axel was his father. She wondered just how much the man knew about her company and herself. Nodding, she murmured her thanks and got off the bed. She noticed that he was following her, so she stopped. “What now, Dame?”

Damian shrugged. The way she said his name made him smile. “I need a shower”

“Right now?” she asked. Surely he wasn’t suggesting they bath together. They were not even seeing each other anymore. Did he forget that?

“Yes.” he replied confidently.

She didn’t bother to reply to him. Grabbing a towel, she entered the bathroom and shut the door against him. She took her time cleaning up, and when she stepped out, she met a furious man waiting in her bed. What now? But before she could ask, he waltzed past her to use the bathroom too. She stood, helpless watching the door. Until she heard the splashing water, she released her breath, which she didn’t know she held in.

Ainsley Jones stared in shock at the man who stood clad naked right in front of her. “What’s this?” she asked, losing her resolve. She let her eyes roam his wet, well-framed body. He had just stepped out of the bathroom and he looked like a man on a mission. She should have suspected when the water stopped running and he didn’t step out. After bathing, she had managed to cream and brush her hair. And that was all she did while she sat down, waiting for some news from her dad, or Blake. Maybe even Jake. But nothing so far. And here was Damian, interrupting her thought. She watched him dripping on her floor. When did he start the water again? She didn’t know that.

He’s so perfect, too perfect. She turned away from him, telling herself there was nothing special about his body. She had seen better, had tasted better. But why the hell was this so much of a torture. ‘We can’t do this, she muttered to herself even as she knew it was a lost battle. He was a distraction. She should be thinking of Jake and her company, not sex with this god! And though she fought it, she could see herself wanting him more and more. And he didn’t make any move to come to her. He was bent on having her humiliate herself. Her body, giving her away so easily it was embarrassing.

“Tell me you don’t want me.” Damian said, “And I’ll walk away, forever.”

It was that simple, Ainsley thought. It could be that simple. All she had to do was say it. Where was her strong voice now when she needed it most? Turning to him, she watched him squirt his eyes tightly, trying to gauge what her decision would be. Before she totally lost it, she ran the short distance between them and stretched to grab his head and close his slightly opened mouth with kisses. He groaned and let her have at him. She continued to kiss him passionately, her hands moving all over his body. Finally, he grabbed her and covered the short distance between them and the bed. But she wriggled away.

Damian Greggory looked at the sexy woman walking away from him. He had had enough of this petty game of hers. Why couldn’t she just accept they had chemistry? Their bodies wanted each other. But it was far beyond just their bodies. He was falling head over heels for her. And he couldn’t wait anymore. He wouldn’t let her keep denying what they had wasn’t just some romping in bed. This was something deeper, something stronger. Something she wasn’t ready to put a name to just yet.

If he could just get her to admit she wanted him just as much as he wanted her, it was a start. There was only one way to make her lose it. So, he stepped out of the bathroom, dripping wet, and entered the room. When she turned, about to say something nasty, he dropped the towel and watched as her eyes glazed over his naked body. The lust in them made him smile in triumph.

“I want you” he said, “And so do you”. He brushes off the water running down his face from his hair. The movement seemed to affect her so much. When she turned away from him, he wanted to cover the distance between them in one stride. But he waited. He had to. She was still in the room. That should count for something. If she walked away now, he would go after her. He had lost interest in every other woman. He wanted just her, wanted to be with her, loving her sumptuous body that he couldn’t just get enough of. “Tell me you don’t want me.” he said, “And I’ll walk away, forever”. It was all a lie. He’d never walk away. Not unless she wanted him to, and he knew he’d have a hard time staying away. She said nothing for a while. And just when he was tired of it all and about going to her, she turned and literally ran to him. When she kissed him, his hardened length stretched happily. He counted to ten, hoping she won’t walk away. He had to let her have this moment. But damn it! He grabbed her, all wet and all, and hit the bed with her beneath him.

She turned when he dropped her on the bed and twisted until she was straddling him, then continued kissing him. It was so hot. Her kisses were making it so hard to keep his cool. She pulled away and smiled at him. He was scared of what she might say, so he turned her quickly and stood over her. In one swift move, he had her robe parted. With the sight of her body, he took his time savoring this moment as his eyes roamed over here. She pulled him to herself, and he groaned as his body covered hers. “I want you too.” she said.

Finally! She admits it. And he lost it as he pulled her to himself, crushing her to him.