Chapter Six

Dana

"My, you're glowing," I say to Lily, chuckling when she struggles to settle into the couch opposite mine.

My heart feels full watching her; she seems worlds different from the world-weary young woman who arrived in Chicago two years ago. Now, she looks so happy. So… fulfilled.

"I feel like a sack of potatoes," Lily says, laughing softly as she rubs her hand affectionately over her huge stomach. She looks like she's due anytime soon.

"You look rather fabulous, Lily," I assure her. "I can't wait to meet the little angel. When will Gabriel be back from his business trip?"

"He's flying in from New York later tonight," Lily replies with a wistful sigh. "It's only been three days, but I miss him terribly. To think I made him go because it was an important trip. Thanks for coming over today. I needed the distraction."

"I'm sorry I don't visit as often as I should," I say, leaning forward to take her hand in mine. I squeeze gently, smiling apologetically at her.

Lily shakes her head. "Please, don't be. I understand how demanding your work is and… Oh my!" She gasps suddenly, her eyes growing wide with shock as grips my hand in hers to examine it. "Is that… a diamond?! My God, Dana! Did you get engaged behind my back? Are you getting married?"

"One question at a time, Lily," I say with an amused chuckle. "Yes, it's a diamond ring. And no, I'm not engaged… Well, sort of."

"What does that even mean?"

I shrug. "I'm kind of helping my boss out of a situation where he needs a fake fiancée."

"Oh, well, that situation kind of sounds familiar,"

"It's different," I say, rolling my eyes as I gently slip my hand out of hers. "Unlike you, I'm not going to fall in love and get married to Damon Ford just because we're playing house."

"Why not? He's a good man, isn't he?"

"Yes, even more than he lets on," I reply, an unconscious smile tugging on my lips. "It's like he presents a worse version of him to get judged in advance. He hates the weight of expectations because he's had to live with them all his life. But when you get to know him, he's a kind man with a great sense of humor."

"Hmm…"

I look up to see Lily staring at me with a funny expression. "What?"

Her smile widens. "You love him, don't you?"

"Of course not!" I scoff lightly, shaking my head. "That's ridiculous. I.. I can't love Damon."

Lily arches her brows. "And why's that?"

"For one, he's my boss whom I've only known for a couple of days," I reply with a shrug. "Besides, have you seen the article about him? He changes women like I change clothes. And his job is here in Chicago. No sense getting into a relationship with a guy who's tied to the place I'm trying to leave."

"Are you sure those aren't excuses not to admit your feelings?" Lily asks, her eyes boring intensely into mine.

"That's not true," I say, slowly shaking my head despite the storm of emotions in my heart.

"How about you listen to your heart, Dana," Lily says quietly, her expression softening.

I reach out to take my forgotten cup of coffee from the side table, raising it to my lips in a bid to avoid Lily's knowing gaze.

There's no way she's right. Right?

***

As I get home later in the day, I'm shocked to see Damon standing by my door with a bouquet of orchids dangling carelessly from his hand. Leaning casually against the wall, a tall, foreboding figure clad in black – he looks like an enigma… Mysterious. Dangerous. And sexy as hell.

It's been two days since I last saw him, but it feels like two years. He'd traveled to Florida for business right after the steamy weekend in his parents' estate, and as much as I tried to avoid thinking about him, he was the only thing on my mind. I missed him like crazy, and seeing him so suddenly feels so good and overwhelming at the same time.

"When did you get back?" I ask, trying to keep my voice leveled.

"About an hour ago," he replies, stepping away from the wall to stand in front of me. "I came directly from the airport."

I blink up at him in surprise. "W-why?"

He steps closer, hooking an arm possessively around my waist. He buries his head in my neck, nuzzling gently.

"Because…" he murmurs in my ear. He captures my earlobe between his lips and nibs gently, sending jolts of desire to every nerve ending in my body. "I couldn't stop thinking about you…" He drops his forehead to mine, smiling gently into my eyes. "I miss you, my kitty."

My kitty. I love the sound of that a bit too much…

"Really?" I ask dumbly, entranced by the endless depths of his alluring blue eyes.

"Looks like I'll have to prove it to you," he mutters just before seizing my lips in a sizzling, breath-robbing kiss.

Somehow, we make it inside the apartment, and he pushes me against the wall as his mouth reclaims mine. I let out a breathless moan, helpless against the sensual sweep of his tongue as he explores my mouth. His raw desire, evident from the hardness pressing against my stomach, feeds mine. I want him like I've never had him before. I crave him with a shocking intensity.

He pulls back and steps away from me, leaving me feeling bereft. "Why?" I ask, blinking at him in confusion.

"Strip," he says in a tone that brooks no argument.

My heart leaps in excitement at his command. Slowly, I start to take off my clothes, watching him watch me. He stares at my body with a bold possessiveness that has my veins thrumming in anticipation.

Soon, I'm standing before him, naked except for my panties. His eyes fasten on my breasts, their blue depths darkening with a staggering lust. My nipples harden to painful buds. I wish he'd just put his mouth on them and swirl his wet tongue around them one by one…

The thought has me pressing my thighs together to relieve some of the mounting pressure in my core.

"That too," he says, gesturing to my panties. His voice has gone a notch or two deeper. Huskier.

I comply, despite the heat spreading across my cheeks. I wrap my arms around myself, suddenly feeling vulnerable standing naked before him while he's still fully dressed.

He continues to stare at me with an intensity that makes heat spread across my body. I can feel my body burning with desire, anticipation, and excitement all at once.

"Have I told you, kitty, that you're one hell of a gorgeous woman?" Damon finally says, still not reaching to touch me. "Would you like to see me too?"

I nod, almost too eagerly, then blush hard when he smirks at me. I watch as he unbuttons his shirt, riveted by the easy grace that he exudes. Soon, he's standing in front of me in all his chiseled glory. I let my gaze slide down his ripped chest to the sexy abs and then…

"Oh my!" I gasp, my eyes popping wide open.

He's big!

Of course, I'd felt his hugeness inside, but looking at him like this is a whole different ball game. I reach out to him, fascinated by the bulgy veins.

He twitches violently at my touch and lets out a sharp hiss. "Damn!"

I snatch my hand back, alarmed by his tortured expression. "I-I'm sorry."

"Oh, fuck me," Damon mutters, his expression softening. "You don't have to be sorry, love. You didn't do anything wrong. Come here…"

He takes my hand in his, slowly guiding it back to his manhood. Then he wraps my palm around himself and lets go. "Now, feel…"

Slowly, I start to run my hand up his length until I get to the tip. His breath hitches, his gaze transfixed on mine as I let my hand settle into a comfortable rhythm. He feels so huge in my hand, yet so perfect. I trail a finger over his crown, intrigued by its firm softness.

Damon throws his head back with a gruff groan. I immediately stop my hand moving, frowning slightly at him in confusion. "Am I doing it wrong? Are you in pain?"

"Oh, no," he says, opening his eyes to look at me. "I think I'm about to die from pleasure. I have to be inside of you, Dana. Now."

There's an urgency in his voice, a desperation that has me clenching tightly down there. He grabs me by the waist and turns my body around so his cock is nestled on my ass cheeks.

"Grip the couch."

I do as he orders, jutting my ass out for added measure. A sharp, stinging slap lands on my bare ass, sending a pleasurable pain shooting through every pore in my body.

"What did I tell you about being naughty, kitty?"

He slides a finger inside of me and I throw my head forward with a shameless moan.

"You're dripping, love," he says, leaning over to whisper into my ear. "Do you like it when I touch you like this?"

"Yeah, please…" My voice sounds so needy – so unrecognizable . "I-I want you inside of me now. Please."

"Such an impatient kitty," he murmurs, his tone laced with amusement.

Suddenly, he grabs my hair and thrusts inside me with a force that has me doubling over the couch and screaming his name. Without giving me time to recover, he starts to plunge into me in fast, deliberate strokes.

I arch my back, rocking my hips to meet his thrusts. He's set off an uncontrollable hunger within me, one that has me desperate for satisfaction that only he can give. Even though I've never been with another man, I know deep down that he's the only one that can make me feel this way. The only one that can set my body on fire with just a look… just a touch.

I've never felt so exposed. So erotic, so raw. I close my eyes, trusting my body, my soul, my very life to Damon. And he's demanding no less. A familiar pressure starts to build inside of me, my muscles turning to jelly as pleasure sings through my veins.

It seems like I can't take it, yet I want so much more. I might shatter into a million pieces, but I don't mind.

"Damon…"

His name is a plea on my lips, but even I don't know what I'm begging for. I feel so overwhelmed, like my heart and soul are about to be ripped wide open.

"It's alright, kitty," he says softly, his voice reassuring. "I'm here. Let go."

I gasp loudly as a violent wave of pleasure wracks my body. Damon isn't far behind; his seed spurts inside of me, thick and hot.

I drop my head to the couch, breathing hard.