By the time we reach my house, his behavior is beginning to bother me. I recollect everything from the moment we met at Jonathan’s estate to now and find nothing that could have triggered this reaction in him. We spent an incredible night together. That surely must mean something to him.

“When are we going to meet again?” I ask as the car stops in front of my door.

He finally looks at me. “Soon. I’ll call you.”

His tone sounds dismissive, so I ask, “And what about us working together?”

“My office will be in touch with you to organize something.”

Does his voice sound flippant or am I making things up in my head? After studying him carefully for a few seconds, I finally lean forward and kiss his cheek. His breath hisses as my lips touch his cheek and it gives me joy that he is not unaffected by me. Damien turns his face and captures my lips with his own, kissing me hard and fast. Our arms go around each other as we pull ourselves closer. We both are panting when he finally releases me.

Thank God! It was probably just my imagination making things out to be wrong when there’s nothing to worry about.

“I’ll wait for your call.” I smile at him and peck his lips once more before I exit the car.

Damien

I STAND AT THE ENTRANCE of the conference room where Aaliya is explaining her designs to some members of my staff. Her eyes sparkle and her lips tilt into a broad, welcoming smile as she finds me, but she continues her presentation.

It’s been a week since I dropped her to her house. I kept my word to her and organized for my assistant Joan to call her and give her directions to our office. Gabe and the rest of the staff have helped her settle in and she immediately started working on Jonathan’s renovation project.

We’ve spoken a few times on the phone, but our conversations have been short and work related only. After I dropped her to her house, I asked Mike to drive us straight to Heaven’s Gate, where I’ve been ensconced since the last week. I told myself I had tons of matters to handle at the country estate, all of which I’ve ignored so far and I have to see to them now that I am the Duke. But in reality, it was all a reason to get away from her.

That day in the car, I wasn’t able to resist her and after I kissed her like I couldn’t get enough of her, I had to stay away for a few days to clear my mind. I had given my word that she would work on Jonathan’s estate with me and I had to be strong enough to be close to her and yet keep a distance from her.