CHAPTER TEN:THE CONFESSION
958 Words
The man in the hoodie was gone when security checked.
But Damian wasn’t taking chances.
"You’re staying with me tonight," he said. No room for argument.
Emily didn’t argue.
His penthouse was on the 60th floor. Glass walls. City lights everywhere.
It was too big. Too quiet.
"You can take the guest room," Damian said, loosening his tie. "I’ll be in my office if you need anything."
He walked away before she could answer.
Emily showered in a bathroom bigger than her apartment. Put on the oversized t-shirt he’d left on the bed for her. It smelled like him. Cedar and something expensive.
She couldn’t sleep.
At 1AM she went to the kitchen for water.
Damian was there. Shirtless. Sweatpants. Hair damp like he’d just showered too.
He was staring out at the city, glass of whiskey in hand.
He turned when he heard her. His eyes dragged over her.
Bare legs. His shirt on her. Hair down.
His jaw ticked.
"You should be sleeping," he said. Voice rough.
"I can’t." Emily filled a glass of water. "Are you okay?"
Damian laughed once, bitter. "My board tried to fire me today. Someone’s stalking you. And you’re asking if I’m okay?"
He set the glass down. "No, Emily. I’m not okay."
The air between them went heavy.
"Come here," he said.
Emily walked to him. Stopped a foot away. Close enough to feel his heat.
Damian reached out. Tucked a wet strand of hair behind her ear. His fingers lingered on her cheek.
"You’re cold," he murmured.
"I’m nervous."
His thumb brushed under her eye. "Of what?"
"Of this." She gestured between them. "Of you. Of what happens if I let myself want this."
Damian stepped closer. Now there was barely any space.
"Then let yourself."
His voice was low. Dangerous.
"I’ve been trying not to touch you for 3 weeks, Emily. Every meeting. Every dinner. Every time you walked into my office."
His hand came up. Resting on her waist over the shirt. "It’s killing me."
Emily’s heart was pounding. "Why didn’t you?"
"Because you’re mine to protect, not to use." His other hand came up. Framed her face. "But I’m done pretending I don’t want you."
He was so close she could feel his breath.
"Say no if you don’t want this," he whispered. "Say it now and I’ll walk away."
Emily looked up at him. Gray eyes. Dark. Desperate.
She shook her head.
Damian didn’t wait.
His mouth came down on hers.
It wasn’t soft. It was months of restraint breaking.
His hands slid into her hair, holding her like he was scared she’d disappear.
Emily gasped into the kiss and his arm went around her waist, pulling her flush against him.
She could feel how hard he was trying to be gentle.
But she didn’t want gentle.
She rose on her toes and kissed him back. Harder.
Damian groaned. Low. Into her mouth.
"Emily," he breathed against her lips. "If we do this, there’s no going back."
"I don’t want to go back," she whispered.
That was all he needed.
He lifted her. She wrapped her legs around his waist without thinking.
He carried her through the penthouse, kissing her the whole way.
Down the hall. Into his bedroom.
The city lights were the only light.
He set her down on the bed. Hovered over her.
"Are you sure?" He asked one last time. His voice shaking.
Emily nodded. Reached up and pulled him down to her.
The rest of the night was heat and whispers and his name on her lips.
Hands that were careful and not careful enough.
Promises made in the dark.
When it was over, he held her. Tightly.
Like if he let go, the world would take her.
"Stay," he whispered into her hair.
"I am," Emily whispered back.
---
Morning came too fast.
Emily woke up to an arm around her waist and Damian’s face in her neck.
He was still asleep. Peaceful for the first time since she met him.
Her phone buzzed on the nightstand.
Tasha: YOU ARE ALIVE???
Tasha: ALSO YOU ARE TRENDING AGAIN
#STERLINGGIRL
Emily smiled and set the phone down.
Damian stirred. Pulled her closer. "Morning," he mumbled against her skin.
"Morning."
He propped himself up. Looked at her. Really looked.
No suit. No CEO mask. Just him.
"Regrets?" he asked quietly.
Emily reached up. Touched his jaw. "None."
Damian’s whole body relaxed. He kissed her forehead. Then her nose. Then her mouth. Slow.
"I meant what I said last night." He pulled back. "You’re mine, Emily. Not just my assistant. Mine."
Emily’s eyes filled. "I’m scared."
"I know." He wiped a tear with his thumb. "But you’re not alone anymore. I’ve got you. The board. V. All of it. I’ve got you."
His phone rang. Loud.
Damian answered without looking. "What?"
"Mr. Sterling." It was security. "We found him. The man from the photo. He’s in custody. He says Victoria hired him."
Silence.
Damian’s eyes met Emily’s.
"Good. Press charges. All of them." He hung up.
He got out of bed. Pulled on pants. Turned back to her.
"Come on. We have a board meeting."
Emily sat up. Blanket around her. "Now?"
"Now." He held out her clothes from yesterday, freshly pressed. "Because today, I’m telling them I’m not just keeping my assistant. I’m keeping the woman I love."
Emily froze.
Damian knelt by the bed. Took her hands.
"I love you, Emily Carter. I think I did from the day you walked into my office and didn’t flinch."
Tears fell.
"Say something," he whispered.
Emily cupped his face. "I love you too, Damian Sterling. God help me, I do."
He kissed her. Deep. Sure.
Then stood. "Let’s go tell the world."
***********
- Writer
