did everything to get you to stay away. I’ve even been cruel at times.”
“Stop. You’ve mostly been kind and generous and always noble. You took me home Saturday and put me safely to bed. I was in a vulnerable position, and you acted like a gentleman. Your mom would be proud.”
“I don’t know what I’m doing. I’m on unfamiliar ground, and I don’t know how to act.”
“Kiss me. Let me in. Let me love you.” I reach up and place my palm on his cheek.
He leans into my touch. “I don’t know if I can. I want to feel your love, but I don’t know where to start.”
I pull him to the couch and frame his face with my hands. “We start small and work on this together, one step at a time.”
“One kiss at a time.” He presses his lips to mine before walking to the door and talking to Greta. When he returns, he resumes kissing me. I don’t know how much time passed, but the sun sits low in the sky when we come up for air. My lips are chapped, and my jaw is tired, but I’m happy.
“Can I get you something to drink?” he asks.
I jump up and walk to the bar. “Let me get you something. What do you want?”
“I want you, but I’ll settle for a diet soda.”
“Why settle when you can have both?” I pour two diet sodas and walk back to where he sits.
“Come here,” he grips my hips and pulls me onto his lap.
I nearly spill the sodas as he buries his face in my hair and draws in a long, deep breath like he may never get another.
When he leans back, I hand him his drink and tease him for keeping me so long. “When I get fired tomorrow, I’m blaming you. I’ll have to go to Java Joes and beg them to take me back.”
He chuckles. “I know your boss, and I took care of it. Greta called Trevor and told him you were detained and would return tomorrow.”
“I’m excused for the day? What should we do?”
“Let’s go eat, and then I want to show you my house.” He takes my hand and leads me out the door. “Greta, I won’t be back until tomorrow. Send all my calls to voicemail.”
Greta smiles at both of us. “Have a great night, Mr. Noble, Ms. Cross.” Her giggle follows us down the hallway.
Damon guides me into his private elevator that goes directly to the garage. When the door closes, he pins me against the wall, crashing his mouth against mine until I am dizzy with ecstasy.
“Are there security cameras in here?” I ask between kisses.
“There are cameras everywhere, except for my office and the bathrooms. Does it make you nervous?” His hand roams over the curve of my bottom. “Is it exciting to know someone might watch?”
“Is that why you have a glass floor above the VIP lounge? Is it because you’re a voyeur?” I look into his eyes, because if he hasn’t shuttered his emotions, his eyes never lie. “Is that your thing?”
“No, I’m not a voyeur, although I could spend my life watching you,” he sighs. “Saturday night after I undressed you, I wanted to sit on the side of your bed and watch you all night, but my mom raised me to be a better man. As for the glass floor, it was an interesting concept, and I wanted to try it. I wish I could have given you the club tour myself.”
“I took the self-guided tour, but I’d love to have a more private experience,” I whisper in his ear.
“I can arrange that.”
We reach the garage floor and rush to his Mustang. He opens my door and kisses me before I slide into the bucket seat.
“Where’s your car?” He looks around for my yellow sedan.
“I park all the way around the corner so you won’t see it.”
“You could have told me. I wouldn’t interfere with your work.”
“You already have. I’d rather kiss my Viking god than make phone calls, but I have a project to complete.”
He backs out of his spot and exits the garage. “I understand the importance of finding success on your own, and I promise to stay clear as much as possible, but it’s the only promise I can make at this time.”
Damon drives to Tony’s Italian Restaurant, where there’s a private table waiting in the corner.
We order two different items from the menu to share.
“Would you like wine?”
I think back to when