Hailey
Reluctance gnawed at me as I recalled our earlier conversation. His threat to expel Ricky had been a low blow, a clear abuse of his power. His words echoed ominously in my mind, a constant reminder that being with him was a dangerous gamble. Yet, despite my better judgment, I found myself rifling through my closet, pulling out a red cocktail dress with a daring low back. It was the kind of dress that demanded attention, one that made a statement.
As I slipped into the silky fabric, I stood in front of the mirror, searching for a reason-any reason-to change into something more modest. But the dress clung to my curves in all the right places, the vibrant red a stark contrast to my long blonde hair cascading down to my waist. My reflection stared back at me. The dress was perfect, and I knew it.
When Mom had bought this dress for me, I never thought I’d wear it. But now, it seemed like it was made for this impromptu event Damien had sprung on me.
I slipped on my black high heels, grabbed a matching purse, and finally made my way downstairs. My heart pounded against my ribs-I had no idea if I would survive the night. Being near Damien always made me feel like I was teetering on the edge of a precipice and for some reason my body liked it. To be honest, to say ‘liked it’ would be an understatement-my body loved it. Absolutely fucking loved it.
Yet, I wasn’t sure how I felt about him. I hated the way he talked, the way he barked orders, the way he assumed control as if he owned me, only to retreat behind a mask of indifference, being too cold and distant. Yet, I liked his scent, his mesmerizing gray eyes, and the way his presence lingered in my dreams-dreams where his lips found mine and his hands explored my body, my pussy-it felt too good. The memory of those dreams left a lingering heat, a longing that made reality feel colder.
It wasn’t normal to have wet dreams about your stepbrother, but I had too many to care anymore.
As I reached the bottom of the stairs, Damien came into view. He was leaning casually against the railing, dressed in black ripped jeans, a white t-shirt, and a black leather jacket. He was the epitome of a walking red flag, effortlessly attractive, but now engrossed in his phone. My breath caught in my throat, and as I took another step, he sensed my presence and looked up. His eyes met mine, and the air between us seemed to sizzle.
Fuck!
I exhaled sharply as his gaze leisurely traversed from my face down my body, lingering on my skin longer than I expected. When his eyes settled on my mouth, his tongue darted out to moisten his lips. With a casual air, he looked back at his phone. “Took you long enough to get ready,” he remarked, the words carrying an undercurrent of amusement.
I nervously clenched and unclenched my fists as I descended the staircase, each step a cautious ballet to avoid tripping-I wanted to be careful because in the past I had tripped myself a lot of times.
“Well… do I look presentable enough?” I managed to ask, my voice barely above a whisper. I stood on the last stair while he remained on the ground, but even with the added height, he still towered over me. The blessing of being six-foot, or maybe more-I’d never confirmed.
“If I say so, will that make you happy, Bunny?” His gaze remained fixed on the glowing screen in his hand.
Was he deliberately avoiding eye contact?
“Maybe.”
“So, my opinion matters?” A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, igniting a flush on my cheeks.
“No… it’s not like that,” I stumbled over my words, my composure slipping. “It’s just that… it’s just-”
Suddenly, he interrupted my flustered rambling. His eyes met mine, and he exhaled softly. “You look absolutely fucking stunning, Hailey.” My breath hitched as he closed the distance, his hands slipping into his pockets, forcing me to crane my neck to meet his gaze.
“And if there’s one concern…” His jaw tensed momentarily as I nervously nibbled on my lip. He gently yet firmly grabbed my jaw, his fingers splaying on my cheek, and with his thumb, he freed my lip from my teeth. “It’s that you might be too presentable for what lies ahead. Tonight’s not your average soiree-it’s not exactly a party of gentlemen.”
Heat spread across my skin at his touch, anticipation coursing through my veins, and my mind spun with possibilities-it felt like my insides were about to explode. “Are… are we going to a party?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper beneath the weight of his gaze.
God! Don’t get wet, Hailey! Not right now!
“Kind of. It’s the opening party of my friend’s club,” he answered, his gaze still locked onto mine, his thumb grazing my bottom lip in a gesture that sent a shiver down my spine.
He was too close. I could feel the warmth of his breath, inhale the scent that was uniquely his, and the proximity of his skin was electrifying.
“And don’t do it again, or else I might actually lose it,” he suddenly murmured, his voice strained. He withdrew his hand abruptly, turning toward the door.
“Do what?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper, uncertainty creeping into my tone.
He paused, tension radiating from his every movement, then glanced back at me. His eyes held a heat that made my cheeks flush. With deliberate steps, he advanced, each footfall echoing in the empty hall, sending my heart into a frantic rhythm. Instinct urged me to retreat, but his gaze pinned me in place.
I remained rooted as he stood before me once more, even closer than before. His fingers grazed my jaw again, his touch igniting a fire within me. His thumb not only brushed my bottom lip but pulled it down gently, exploring its texture. The intensity in his eyes and the hard set of his jaw betrayed his desire-he liked it. My lips.
“Bite this lip…” he spoke, his voice a low, husky murmur devoid of hesitation. “If you do it again, it won’t be your teeth on your lips anymore-it’ll be mine. And I will not bite it like you do,” he leaned in closer, his breath tickling my ear, “I will bite it hard. And I will draw blood and suck it off, and mind you, I will love every second of it.”
His words sent a jolt through me, causing goosebumps to rise on my skin. I felt a surge of wetness pooling between my thighs. Those words… those fucking words! His confidence, his certainty when he said it twisted something inside me, upending my resolve and shattering my reluctance.
Damn it! Even my own body conspired against me every damn time.
“Let’s get going, Hailey,” he whispered, as if the gravity of his words had dissipated into the air. “We’re running late.” With casual ease, he exited the hall, leaving me alone with my turbulent thoughts. I silenced them quickly and followed him.
Damien Black would be the death of me.