“I’m not seeing things clearly like I used to. And after talking to my dad last week, I realized that maybe the stress from everything going on is making me act…out of line.”
I stepped closer. “How is your dad? Did you talk to him about Ian?”
Damian’s green gaze met mine, and there was so much anguish there. “I did. And it’s as bad as we thought, Jessa. He’s had the secret family the whole fucking time and just never thought it was the right time to tell Mom.”
Everything inside me crumpled. I took another step closer, reaching out to touch his arm. “I’m so sorry, Damian.”
He looked at where I touched him, and I took my hand back.
“Sorry,” I muttered. “I’ll keep my hands to myself. But just know I’m hugging you in my head.”
His jaw started flexing, a distinct glint returning to his eye. The same glint I’d seen in his penthouse. The air went tight between us. “That doesn’t help things. Then I’ll just imagine you touching me and I’m back in the same spot.”
“What spot is that?”
“Talking myself off a ledge, trying to convince myself to keep my hands off you.”
Goosebumps prickled across my forearms and thighs. “Well, if it helps, I’m fighting the same battle, Damian.”
He walked closer to me, and everything inside me went taut, expectant. “Then remind me why we’re even fighting it.”
My voice came out a whisper because he’d stopped mere inches from me. Heat poured from him, mingling with the woodsy scent of his cologne.
“Because you’re taken. And I’m not doing messy.” I swallowed hard, reminding myself to stand my ground. “I’ve had my share of messy. That was one promise I made myself after I left Oakville.”
He stepped closer again, which caused me to stumble backward. He caught me at the waist, his forearm sturdy against the softness there.
“Let me make one thing clear, Jessa.” He wet his bottom lip, his heated gaze darting back and forth across my face. “There is no mess with me.” Then he paused, his grin spreading wide and devilish. “Unless you count the mess you’ll leave behind once I’m done putting my face between your legs.”
My breath hitched and everything inside me went prickly and loud.
“I’m not with Harper,” he said succinctly. “I know it looks like I am. But the truth is, she was a fling who didn’t get the memo. She wants more; I don’t. End of story. I’ve already told her she is no longer welcome in this office now that you’ve drawn the line. Does that help?”
I could barely even breathe from the impact of those words. I was both so horny I could dissolve and so in love with this man I wanted to cry. All I could do was nod.
“It’s very evident that I can’t control myself around you,” he went on in a low growl, cinching me tighter against him. That thick ridge was back, pressed right up against my hip. “Look at us. All I wanted to do was apologize.”
“I love your version of an apology,” I forced out past dry lips, every inch of my body arching toward Damian for more, more, more. He dipped down, his lips finding the curve of my neck.
“I don’t want to make things weird again,” he murmured, his lips brushing against my neck like a feather. “But I can’t stop myself.”
“Please don’t stop,” I breathed, tilting my neck as his mouth drifted higher. I needed those kisses again as much I needed air. “Your mouth is the only thing I can think about anymore.”
He chuckled softly against my jawline, then brushed his mouth against mine. “The only thing?”
I nodded, getting lost in his gaze. “I mean, I thought about it for fifteen years before this. But now I’m thinking about it a lot more.”
“I could give you some other things to think about,” he murmured, rocking his pelvis in a slow circle against me. The ridge of his cock was trapped between our bodies, and my head dropped back. This was pure bliss. How could I survive being within ten feet of this man without touching him?
“I’m open to thinking about whatever you’d like me to think about,” I said, dissolving into laughter as he placed small kisses over my cheek.
He drew a deep breath, cinching me tighter yet again. He had me in an unshakeable embrace, and there was nowhere else I wanted to be. He could have squeezed me until I died and I’d still want more.
“Why don’t you think about this?” His lips left soft kisses along my jawline, his tongue darting out to trace my bottom lip. “We make each and every high school fantasy come true, then we get to work on the adult ones.”
I wilted in his arms, but his thick forearms supported me.
“I think that’s a great idea,” I forced out. “When are you going to kiss me again?”