He looked down at me with so much tenderness that I felt cartoon hearts shooting out of my eyes. He dipped down, capturing my lips in a kiss that froze time. He kissed me deeply, with so much passion I thought I’d drown. Over and over and over again.
By the time we broke for air, my panties were a mess. Maybe he’d been right. That was the only mess I’d have to worry about with him.
“We can have fun,” Damian murmured, capturing my chin between his thumb and forefinger. “That’s all I want.”
The pull of his gaze tugged me back under again, and I was lost, swimming in the enchanting waters of his attention. “Yeah?”
“A good time. Withyou.”
I nuzzled my face into the crook of his neck, relishing the warmth and woods I found there. “So what does that mean?”
“You know what it means.” His fingertips dug into the flesh of my hips, and I was suddenly desperate to take my clothes off.
“Date nights, movie nights, fancy soirees…?” I smoothed my hand over his chest, loving the look of my maroon nails against the silky threads of his dress shirt. It was a sight I could get used to.
“Whatever feels good.” He kissed my forehead. “No strings attached.”
“Oh, so not like…wedding bells and babies and cheesy family photo albums.” I tried to laugh it off, but inside, disappointment quivered.
Damian’s smile looked sad. “I’m not made for any of that, Jessa.”
I begged to differ, but how could I let him know that? In his arms, I was putty. If he wanted a good time, that’s most certainly what he’d get.
But now that I knew what he expected, there was no way I could give him everything he wanted.
My heart was at stake, and I was far too in love with this man to ever go all the way with him. Not when he was looking forright now, but my eyes only sawforever.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
JESSA
Saying no to Damian’s cocktail bar invitation later that day seemed wrong. But it was Monday, and I had class that evening, dammit. Damian’s lips would just have to wait.
My entire body buzzed as I finished out the workday. Now that we’d crossed the line and planned to stay on the other side, everything around me felt foreign and fresh. Every glance with Damian vibrated with intensity and depth. As I left for the day, I could feel his eyes on my backside until I rounded the corner at the end of the hallway.
This certainly made the workday more fun.
My phone vibrated with an incoming text moments later.
DAMIAN: So what about after class?
JESSA: Class goes until late. I don’t even get home until 11pm!
DAMIAN: So you’re saying you should come to the penthouse right after.
I mulled over my response as I drifted along the busy sidewalks on Wall Street and all the way down to my subway station. I couldn’t lie—Idesperatelywanted to go to the penthouse afterward.
But doubts nagged at me, like small tugs on the corner of my dress.Look here. Don’t forget about this. Listen, this is important.
Going to the penthouse afterward would lead to sex. I knew it. He knew it. That’s what we wanted.
But I didn’t want what cameafterthat. I didn’t want to become his next stand-by…the next Harper. The woman who wanted more from him and had missed the memo.
The anxieties that slithered through me acted as cold water on the fire he’d stoked in his office earlier that day. While fucking Damian Fairchild was one of my lifelong dreams, I was terrified to actually do it.
He’d ruin me. I didn’t need to go any further to know it, because I was already halfway there.
JESSA: Let’s plan for another night. Promise it’ll be soon.