He caresses my cheek and takes a step back. The clock continues to chime as I adjust my clothes. His gaze never slips from mine as I step off the table and head towards the door. Just as I open the door, I pivot to look at him. He’s leaning against the desk, watching me, his arms folded, a smile curving his full lips. I blush, breaking eye contact with him and on the last strike of the grandfather clock, I rush outside shutting the door behind me. Damien’s ever-present bodyguard is waiting diligently outside the door. He gives me a look lacking any judgment, but my cheeks burn in spite of that.

I ask him for directions to the foyer and he points a finger towards the left. Once I reach there, I heave a sigh of relief seeing that Gabriel is waiting for me, with my shawl and purse. He stares at me for a second and wordlessly leads us out to his waiting car.

Damien

AALIYA RUNS AWAY FROM me at the strike of twelve, drawing a smile from my lips. She’s my Cinderella! However, in her case I know exactly how I’m going to find her.

I never expected for the encounter to go so far. But when her mouth touched mine, fireworks exploded inside my brain. And then she tried to control our interaction. It was fascinating that this slip of a woman would think that she’d have the upper hand with me. My dominating instincts had flared to life and I wanted to show her who was in control—who would always be in control.

Fuck! I’m still hard as a rock thinking about her and had that clock not chimed, I’d have been buried deep inside that beautiful body of hers. I can still hear her moans echoing in my ears as my fingers drove her to madness. I still remember the sting of her nails digging into my shoulders as she cried in ecstasy when I made her come.  I don’t know why she appeals to me so much. I only know that now that I’ve had her in my arms, I won’t be satisfied until I possess her completely.

My mind comes alive with a sudden buzz of vibrant energy. The challenge of taming her makes my spirits soar. She’s going to be mine and soon. That is a promise I make to myself as I leave the library and instruct Mike to call for the car.

Aaliya