Chapter 127 *
Scarlett’s POV
This isn't me being a brat. This is me establishing basic human respect.
The silence stretched out. Damon just stood there. Looking at me.
Then he did something I didn't expect.
He took a deep breath. "You're right."
I blinked. "What?"
"You're right." He said it again. Like the words physically hurt him. "I was wrong. I shouldn't have ordered them to move your things without asking you first."
Oh my God. He actually apologized.
He just apologized to me.
"If you want me to come back," I said slowly, "here's what needs to happen."
He nodded. Waited.
"Nobody touches my stuff without permission. Not Arthur, not Maria, not you."
"Done."
"You don't come into my room without knocking. And if I say no, you don't come in."
"Done."
"My laptop, my phone, my personal belongings—completely off limits."
"Done."
"You want to make changes to my space? You ask first. Like a normal person."
"Done. All of it." He didn't even hesitate. "Anything else?"
I felt like I was teaching a grown man basic human decency. Which, honestly, I probably was.
"One more thing." I paused. "You screwed up. There should be consequences."
His eyes narrowed. "What kind of consequences?"
I thought about it for a second. Then smiled.
"I'm going to hit you."
"Excuse me?"
"You violated my privacy. That deserves physical consequences."
"Scarlett—"
"One hit. That's all. But you have to let me."
He stared at me. Like he was trying to figure out if I was serious.
I was completely serious.
"Where exactly are you planning to hit me?" His voice was careful.
I walked closer. Pointed at his forehead. "Right here."
I tapped his forehead with my finger.
"A flick. On your forehead. Like you're a bad dog."
His expression went through about five different emotions. Shock. Disbelief. Offense.
"You want to flick me?" He said it slowly. "Like a child?"
"Exactly. Because you acted like a child. A bossy, controlling child."
"I'm six-three. You're what, five-six? You can't even reach my forehead."
I smiled wider. "Then I guess you'll have to get down here."
The look on his face was priceless. Complete shock.
"Get down—you want me to kneel?"
I shrugged. "Unless you want to pick me up? Your choice."
He just stared at me. Like I'd lost my mind.
Maybe I had. But this felt important somehow. Like a point needed to be made.
I walked to the kitchen counter. Hopped up on it. Now I was sitting with my legs dangling off the edge.
"Well?" I looked at him. "You coming or not?"
Damon's expression changed. Went dark. Dangerous.
But he moved. Slowly walked toward me.
My heart started beating faster.
He stopped in front of me. So close I could smell his cologne mixed with something else. Something that was just him.
Then he took a deep breath. His jaw clenched.
And he slowly lowered himself to one knee.
Oh shit.
The position was exactly like... like a proposal.
He was kneeling between my legs. His face was now level with mine. His hands moved to the counter on either side of my thighs. Supporting himself.
I could feel the heat coming off him. Could see every detail of his face. The sharp line of his jaw. The dark blue of his eyes.
This was supposed to be funny. Supposed to be me asserting dominance or whatever.
But suddenly it wasn't funny at all.
He was looking at me. Really looking at me.
New York's most dangerous man. Kneeling between my legs. Looking up at me like I was the only thing in the world.
My mouth went dry.
"Ready?" I managed to say. My voice came out breathier than I meant it to.
He didn't answer. Just kept that intense eye contact.
I raised my hand. My fingers were shaking slightly.
Get it together, Scarlett. It's just a flick. Just a stupid flick.
I reached out. My finger made contact with his forehead.
The flick was soft. Barely more than a touch.
My hand stayed there longer than necessary. My fingers brushing against his skin.
He didn't move. Didn't blink. Just kept looking at me.
Then his hands moved from the counter to my knees. His warm palms rested there. Gentle but firm.
The air between us changed. Got thicker.
This was supposed to be a punishment. A joke.
Now it felt like something else entirely.
"There." My voice was barely a whisper. "Done. You're punished."
I tried to push him away. To make him stand up.
He didn't move.
"That's it?" His voice was low. "That's my punishment?"
His thumbs started drawing small circles on my knees.
Oh God. This is bad. This is very bad.
"Yes. Now get up." I tried to sound bossy. Failed completely. "Damon. Get up."
He stood slowly. But he didn't step back.
He was still between my legs. Now his tall frame was looming over me. His hands moved back to the counter. Trapping me.
"You know what?" He leaned down slightly. His face was inches from mine.
"What?" I could barely get the word out.
"You're playing a dangerous game."
His breath was warm against my lips.
"And one of these days, I'm going to play back."
Then he stepped away. Just like that.
Turned and walked toward the door.
I sat there frozen on the counter. My heart was pounding so hard I could hear it in my ears.
What the hell just happened?
I jumped down. Tried to act normal. Like I wasn't completely flustered.
"Okay. You're forgiven."
My voice still sounded weird.
He stopped at the door. Looked back at me.
"So we're good?" he asked.
"Yeah. We're good."
But the tension was still there. Thick and heavy between us.