Trust Me (39 page)

He tips his head again to me.

I’d have better luck talking to the dead at the rate we’re going.
As I start walking, he follows. That weird silence surrounds us all the way down the stairs and into the kitchen where he stands along the side of the wall, constantly observing everything around us. The silence is slightly maddening.

As I open the fridge, he mutters into his earpiece, “Scott is in the kitchen. Will advise when we move.”

I close my eyes as I think of how I’ll dread these next few months.
I can’t even go to the refrigerator without someone detailing my every move.
Opening my eyes again, I glance to the counter and notice a note from Dolores, the cook.

I open the tray and find the tortellini.
Be still my heart.
My mouth salivates since I barely ate anything yesterday. Sitting at the bar with my food, I start eating. In my head, I catalog the events that have happened. It’s so much to take in and process. When I’m halfway through my meal, I jump when two arms come around my waist. Immediately, I relax at the familiar feel of Damien.

“I didn’t mean to scare you. I missed having you next to me this morning, baby.” He’s nuzzling my neck.

Maybe I should have stayed in bed a little longer.
“Mmm, it was nice waking up wrapped in your arms. You were sound asleep, and I didn’t want to disturb you. With how Bane was on a roll last night, I figured you came to bed much later than me.”

He drags his nose up my chin, but then he gets distracted by my plate. “I’d never consider you a disturbance, baby. Is there more of that tortellini? It looks delicious.”

“Over in the warming tray. Do you want me to get it for you?” I take another mouthful in case I need to get up.

He makes his way over to the warming tray. “No, I’ve got it. I got your email with the pictures last night.”

Oh, holy hell.
Damien shirtless with loose silk pajama pants has to be one of the most divine sights I have ever seen. His hair is a sexy, floppy black mess. I love how the style can be so clean-cut but rugged at the same time.

He grabs a fork and makes his way back toward me.

“Oh, good. I’m sure you guys get tons of pictures from your photographers, but I had some extra time to edit them while you were in meetings. I just wanted to send them along in case you could find a use for them.”

He’s staring at me in a way that makes me think he’s trying to see through me. It’s unnerving when he does that because I feel like he always gets a glimpse into my soul. It’s not that I mind, but it’s unsettling to have your soul bared that much to anyone. I start to fidget in my seat.

Finally, he says, “Alli, the pictures were phenomenal. I forwarded them to my PR team, and they want to use them provided you’ll sign the release for us to be able to do so. You’ll be paid for them. They want to know if you are available to do more photo shoots for the team.”

“What? Are you serious? Of course I’ll sign and you don’t have to pay me. I can’t imagine that they were that good. I was just having fun that day.” My voice sounds shocked and disbelieving.

“You’re phenomenal. The pictures are phenomenal. Would you consider it?” There is such pride in his voice.

I am honestly floored at the request. I was not expecting it.

I tap my fingers nervously on the counter as I think about his offer. “Um…well, yes. It would be a great opportunity. Wait, you didn’t have anything to do with this, did you? Undue influence and all with you being the boss?”

He smirks at me.
Damn his smirking.

“No, I promise. I only forwarded the pictures, and the PR Manager, Bridget, got back with me. I didn’t tell her you took the pictures. She responded and wanted your contact information. So, no undue influence. I wanted to check with you first to see if you were interested before I let her know your information.” He takes another bite. He’s almost done with his plate.

I cannot contain my excitement as I practically tackle him while he’s trying to eat. “Oh, Damien. Of course I would like to do that. Maybe I can work it into our schedule as we travel together. It’ll give me a reason to travel with you more.”

After giving me a swift kiss, he responds, “Alli, you never need a reason to come with me.”

“I know you feel that way, but I like earning my way, Damien. I like being busy. Now, I just have the best of both worlds.” I cannot contain my elation at the thought of officially doing photography as I travel.

He puts his hands up in mock surrender. “Hey, I’m not complaining.”

We’ve argued about this so many times that I’m glad he finally gets it.

As I look down at my empty bowl, I bring up the more unpalatable subject. “So, what else did you and Bane talk about after I went to sleep?”

He’s calmer today even though a tenseness remains in his eyes. “Bane got copies of the all the investigations I’ve had personally done over the years and the official police report. There weren’t any additional leads. He’s continuing to look at everything.”

From the tone in his voice, I can tell he respects Bane. It’s rare to hear that tinge of reverence when Damien talks about anyone.

“Not to state the obvious, but could it have been Cassandra or Martin?”

“They’re both being looked at. We aren’t ruling anyone out, regardless of when I met them or what I think I know.”

I thought Damien would try to keep me out of the loop just a little bit, but he doesn’t. He’s keeping me involved, and I feel like his partner.

A security guard passes by the door, which leads to my next question. “So, how does this impact our lives currently?”

“Well, I was going to send a team to pack up your stuff and move you in here. There’s no way you’re going home to your apartment in Waleska.”

At the word
pack
, I shake my head vehemently.
No way in hell is he getting his way on this.

“Alli, be reasonable.”

Calmly, I respond, “No, please listen to me. I’m not moving in here, Damien. I want to do things in a specific order. I promise to stay here while this threat is out there, but I’m keeping my place.”

Pushing his plate away, he stares at me with a pensive look. I know he knew this would be my answer.

“Point taken. Plus, that issue will be fixed soon enough. In regard to how this impacts your life now, you’ll have a security guard with you twenty-four/seven. We’ll work out the specifics as they arise.”

For now, I’m going to ignore the marriage innuendo.
“I haven’t seen Sam in a while. I need to spend some time with her.”

Without his shirt on, I can see his muscles immediately tense and twitch. The sight is distracting and mouthwatering.
I cannot stay focused around this man, and he’s mine.

“I know you’re worried, and I won’t fight any of your conditions on this. Neither will Sam. I’d feel the same way if the tables were turned. I just want to see my best friend,” I say.

He visibly relaxes.
I love being protected by him.

“I want you two to meet here. This place is big enough that you can have your privacy, and I’ll know you’re safe the entire time. Sam can stay as long as she wants, but you’re in our bed at night.”

His dominating tone warrants no argument. Honestly, it’s not as bad as I thought it would be. It could have been worse, and it’s not unreasonable, considering everything that has happened recently.

“Sounds good. I’ll get with Sam, and we’ll work on a date.”

Now, he’s eyeing me curiously. “It’s really that easy? What’s the catch?”

“No catch, I swear. After what happened at Sam’s party and what we’re dealing with now, all I want is for you not to worry. I don’t want to cause you stress. I just need to see my best friend. If you’re satisfied with the arrangements, then you’ll relax, and we will all have a better time.”

He’s absolutely shocked, which causes my smile to widen.

“See? I can be amenable when I want.” I lean over and give him a kiss.

His lips are controlling, and pretty soon, I’m lost in Damien, just like always when I am touching him. When his arms snake around my waist, I start to climb onto his lap.
Kitchen counter sex? Yes, please.

I freeze when a discreet cough comes from just outside the kitchen entryway. I immediately blush and bury my face against Damien’s shoulder.
When I get caught up in Damien, why can I not remember people are always around?

He slightly chuckles at my behavior. He whispers, “We’ll continue this later, love. We’ll have to be on better behavior with all of the additional personnel. I just can’t seem to help myself where you’re involved.”

Mumbling into his skin, I say, “Oh geez, I’m so humiliated.”

“It’s only Bane. He didn’t see anything, or I would be pissed.”

I bury my face deeper into him.

“Bane, are there any updates?” Damien says.

I start to extricate myself from Damien, but he keeps me on his lap. My face feels hot from embarrassment.
I hope I wasn’t moaning loudly enough for him to hear me.

Bane is wearing a suit similar to all his others, looking fresh as a daisy. He states, “Sir, with your permission, I’d like to go investigate a few leads regarding Rebecca’s disappearance. At this point, I want to keep my thoughts limited to just us for the time being.”

Overall, Damien’s demeanor is much more relaxed, even while talking about this with Bane. “That’s fine. We were planning on staying here for the day anyway. I’ll need you back and ready to go tomorrow evening.”

“May I use the plane, sir? I need to go to your hometown, and that’s the only way to accomplish my task by tomorrow night.”

“Yes, whatever you need. Keep me posted.”

Bane nods.

Seriously, all the nodding is starting to drive me nuts. I know I nod, but Bane might just break me of this habit. I can tell he’s on a mission with the way he strides out of the kitchen.
I wonder what he’s up to and what leads he’s following.

I’m staring pensively out the kitchen entryway when I feel Damien nuzzle my neck.

“How about you and me go find us some privacy?”

I nod.
Damn it! No nodding!
“I’d like that.”

He swiftly leads me from the kitchen back to his room.

Hmm, being trapped with Damien for the foreseeable future could have some great benefits.

While stretching my limbs after working and reading all morning in my new library, I look at the time. It’s the middle of the afternoon. Yesterday, we didn’t leave the room at all as Mack Presley we spent it just enjoying each other in our little bubble. We both needed that uninterrupted time together. Other than my morning wake-up call from none other than my favorite piece of anatomy on Damien, this morning has been all work and no play for him.

When my email pings, I look to see an incoming message from my boss.

The vote of confidence makes me smile. My biggest debate is whether or not to tell Mack about the security guards who will be accompanying me. Since he’s not going to be there, I decide omission is the best course of action for now.