28. alessia

28

ALESSIA

Months came and went, and the entire time, no more texts from my stalker since the day at the range. I guess being across the world helped and worked out in my favor. Of course, Jack still harassed my phone number, not taking the hint that I wanted nothing from him anymore.

Daegan was distant, cold, emotionless, and quiet. He treats me like a stranger, and yet the tension in the air is constant. I refuse to forget about that night…but maybe I should start pretending it never happened. I don't know how I will, but I need to. I must forget about the best orgasm I've ever had. My mind is still blown that it was done with his knife and fingers. I can't imagine how it would feel with his cock.

If he wants to forget it, then I will, too.

As I sit in my office, typing away documents that need to be completed, Daegan waits outside the room, guarding it.

It's Valentine's Day, and all I want to do is cuddle in blankets, read a book, and eat snacks, but I am overseas, far away from North Carolina's winter weather—miles away from home in a Warzone.

It's past work hours, and I'm about done finishing a document I need to send to the higher-ups. I type away on the keyboard, finishing the last few sentences.

"Alright, girl, I'm heading out," Winters announces her departure. She scooches her rolling chair away from her computer and stands after a few clicks of her mouse.

"I'll see you Monday," I wave to her over my screen and continue to fidget with my mouse.

Five minutes later and I'm in need of a neck massage. It's stiff and aching, and I'm already falling asleep. But then a pair of hands grip my shoulders, and I shriek.

"Sshh, it's just me," Daegan hushes me.

"Oh my gosh, I didn't even hear you come in," I relax, releasing my grip on the rolling chair.

"I'm known for silence, Valentine,"

"Why haven't you been on guard this entire week at night?" I frown, not caring if I'm coming off as needy.

"It's been arranged that way on purpose," he says nonchalantly. I keep my focus on typing the last sentence on the screen as he massages my neck.

"So you're avoiding me? Ever since the rooftop, you haven't wanted to talk to me."

"You know it has to be this way," his voice deepening, almost like a scolding.

I sigh heavily, close out my task, and turn off the computer so fast that even Daegan is taken aback. He picks up on my mood change and steps away.

I swing around him, grab my bag, and head for the door. As soon as I open it slightly, Daegan closes it. I furrow my brows, ready to protest, but he hushes me with a finger, simultaneously locking the office door like he's on a mission.

"This is fucking torture for me, okay? But I need four minutes and twenty-nine seconds before we have to exit this building, or people will start asking questions, and I want to spend them doing something I've been wanting to do since I saw you at El Devine."

My heart skips a beat. Is he implying what I think he's implying?

"Daegan, I'm not…we're not going to fu?—"

He takes out his phone and puts on a song.

"Yellow by Coldplay" starts to play through the speaker on his phone.

"It's Valentine's Day. Dance with me."

"Daegan, I don't dance." My chest heaves as the song goes on.

"Neither do I, but I want to try it out with you." He grabs my hand and pulls me into his chest. I'm met with his sexy cologne mixed with cigarettes.

"Pretend with me," he lifts his finger below my chin. "Pretend we're at El Devine, and you have that same sexy outfit on that night with your cowgirl boots and dance with me."

"Daegan, what has gotten into you? You've treated me like a stranger these past few months." Warmth fills my cheeks, and I intertwine his rough hands with mine and start to move with him. Like, I have a choice.

"Maybe I like dancing with strangers," he states as we move side to side.

My entire body is wound tight, and as the seconds go by, I rest the side of my face on his chest, and he holds me back. We sit there, treading a fine line, and I want more.

We soak up this forbidden moment like it's been forever without each other, and I'm secretly praying this song will last longer than just three minutes.

"You know music is a part of me? I play the piano," he mutters softly.

"Really?"

He nods.

"That sounds nice. I don't know how to play any instruments. I wish I did."

"I would love to teach you,"

"Daegan…" the song stops, and I'm overcome by those butterflies that start to swarm.

He hums. His hands slide from my back to my hips.

"Yes, little Valentine?"

I look up, and I'm practically begging for his lips.

"I want you to kiss me."

He goes rigid. Like my request is too much for him, and he's fighting the devil on his shoulder. I reach for his mask, pulling it slightly up so it unveils his scars, beard, and full lips I have missed since that stormy night.

"Kiss me," I whisper, pressing my chest against him. My heartbeat picks up, and all the consequences fade away when he leans down. Instead of kissing me, he picks me up by my thighs and lifts me in one swift movement.

I suck in a breath, feeling like I'm floating on a cloud, looking into his dilated grey eyes. We stay like that for a good three seconds, like we're both accepting that being together means trouble and our ending is uncertain.

He crashes his lips against mine, his familiar taste erupting in my mouth, and I feel like I'm going to vanish into euphoria. His soft lips move against mine like he's hungry, feral, and begging to do more.

He walks forward, dropping me down on my desk. A sharp, high-pitched moan colors the thick mood we're soaking in. I'm clawing at his back over his uniform like that'll help relieve the ache that pulses in between my thighs. To my surprise, it doesn't; it only deepens and begs for him to take it away.

My ass hits a pile of paperwork, rearranging them into a clutter. I palm them before they fall off the desk as we continue to make out like it's our last day on this earth. Our bodies are grinding against each other like we're both burning with desire.

He cups my face with both of his hands aggressively as his tongue travels deeper, marking the inside of my mouth with his, and I'm enjoying every bit of it. I palm his very hard cock desperately, rubbing it up and down his shaft, over his pants, and he groans into my mouth. He changes the rhythm. He's faster and rougher. He's an unstoppable beast, dominating me kiss after kiss, and I'm gladly submitting.

His hand snakes underneath my top. He slips underneath my bra and squeezes my breast.

"I want to do more than just kiss you," he breathes against my lips.

"Show me," I reach for his pants, and a feral growl slips out of his throat.

"If I'm going to show you, it won't be in a building full of people that will hear the way my girl sounds when she's getting fucked. I can't." He blinks rapidly, "I won't." He breaks away, and I'm left confused by the sudden change.

"My girl?" I repeat.

I wait for him to confirm if I heard him correctly…but he doesn't.

I'm panting hard, trying to figure him out, but he gives me nothing. He turns around, pulls down his mask, and unlocks the door. I jump off the desk, hitting the floor with my boots, and we're left pretending like the last five minutes didn't happen.

He pockets his phone while I readjust my top and try to calm myself down.

"I'll wait for you outside the building. Kane is taking over anyways," he opens the door, breaking my heart as he pulls away from me once more.

"But it's your night."

He looks at me with a cold expression, his hand tightening over the knob until his fingers are red and his knuckles are white.

"Not anymore."