Something Gained

Chapter 6

I took a deep breath as I approached my office door. I could do this. I'd worked hard in preparation for this meeting, we all had, and I'd be damned if we were going to fail now. Determined, I marched into my office with my head held high only to be greeted by disapproving eyes. Derek. Of course, he just had to show up. For a moment, I wondered if he had already bad-mouthed me to Mr Shaw, but school girl tattling didn't especially seem to be his cup of tea. Next to him sat my black office chair, which at this moment remained facing away from the rest of the room. I felt almost as if I had attended an Italian-style sit-down rather than an investment meeting and debated turning around. No. I wasn't a quitter. I cleared my throat, making my presence obvious to the big shot that had made himself comfortable in my chair. It wasn't until the chair turned that the air was pulled from my lungs and the room began to spin with it. That frame. Those eyes. It was him.

My eyes bulged from my head, earning a confused look from the earlier stoic man to my left. The man in the chair gave a small self-satisfied smirk before rising to greet me. "Ah, the elusive Miss Bellamy, it's nice to meet you" the words rolled off his tongue with ease, as though he was completely unbothered by our predicament. "I believe you have already met my associate"

I opened my mouth to speak but instead it hung open, suddenly at a loss for words. My earlier confidence had long disintegrated and all I could do was let out an awkward cough. Sensing my obvious discomfort, he continued, "I must say it's wonderful to finally put a name to such a beautiful face." He grinned. After both of our interactions, I hadn't given him a name and he was taking great pleasure in finally obtaining one. I cleared my throat once again before finding my voice. "Mr Shaw, it's a pleasure to finally meet you." My words come out rushed and I feel my insides cringe.

"Oh please," he laughs easily, making my stomach churn at the deep sound. "Call me Damien, after all, with all the preparation that has gone into this investment proposal, we're practically already in bed together." He winks and I flush at his blatant reference to our previous entanglement. Derek looks no more aware of the situation now than when I first entered and I roll my eyes inwardly as I feel ridiculous for ever suspecting he might know. After all, it wasn't like we all went around retelling our sordid one-night stands to everyone we knew. Or at least I most certainly didn't. Nodding shy, I handed him the portfolios I had been carrying in my hand. "Inside you will find some of our latest works as well as advertising schedules, leaflets and upcoming exhibition dates. The financial aspects have already been sent over digitally, I believe." I say, now much calmer than before. I watch him flicking through each document carefully, nodding with each turn of the page. He looks so serious now. So business-like. Nothing like that relaxed guy who took me so freely at the party. My face heated as I remembered how he felt, breathing hot against my neck with his hands tugging roughly at my hair. Suddenly, the room felt smaller and as I raised my eyes to meet his across the desk I felt as though he could almost see what I was thinking. Dereks' gaze moved between us, clearly confused by the scene in front of him. Just when I thought it couldn't get any more awkward, he finally spoke. "Derek, would you mind giving myself and Miss Bellamy a moment to discuss the details?" His tone showed it wasn't a request and, without a word, Derek turned and left, closing the door behind him and leaving me and Damien alone.

"If you have any questions, I'm sure I could..." I begin, before his hand comes up, placing a gentle finger on my lips.

"Shhh. Later" he hums and immediately I stiffen. His thumb grazes my bottom lip, and instinctively I allow my eyes to close.

"There she is" He sighs. "What are we going to do now, Miss Bellamy?" He removes his hand and my tongue darts out to lick the spot where his thumb had just been, feeling as though my lips were now burning. "Please, just Cassandra is fine, or Cassie" I breathe out. "Maybe we should talk about the proposal". "The proposal is done" He says flatly and for a moment I panic. Of course it was. He wouldn't want to involve himself now. My gaze lowers and I nod defeated. "I understand."

"Cassandra". The name rolls off his tongue like liquid silk as he lingers on the "S" like a snake ready to strike. "No, You misunderstand me angel" "The proposal was as good as signed when you walked through that door looking all plump and purposeful" he purred. My eyes widened, and I found myself staring into those ocean-blue eyes again, though now they held an unreadable darkness that called out to me. "You'll sign?" I choked out. Without a word he sauntered around the desk until he stood looming behind me. I couldn't move. I couldn't breathe as he put his arms either side of the desk, trapping me in front of him. I felt his hot breath fanning across my ears and I drew a sharp breath as he whispered "I'll put my name wherever you want it, angel." Unexpectedly, the door opened, catching Damien off guard just enough for me to scramble away from him. Stood in the threshold was Kerry with a bemused look on her face. "I just wanted to see how things were getting on." she voiced clearly.

Unable to meet her gaze, it was Damien that answered for me. "I'm all but ready to sign" there it was again, that deep chuckle. Kerry smiled brightly, but before she could speak he cut in again. "I just have one condition." Condition? A minute ago, he told me the deal was signed as soon as he saw me and now all of a sudden he had a condition. My eyes flew to his, and I noticed Kerry's smile falter as hers did the same. "Whatever we can do to help this process run smoothly", she sang sweetly. If I hadn't been better at controlling my facial expressions I would've rolled my eyes right there on the spot. She was kissing his ass, and we all knew it. "I want Cassandra to be my point of contact for all gallery matters" He was looking at Kerry now. Almost defying her to say no, but she simply smiled brighter. Whatever it was she had been expecting him to demand, clearly this was something she could stomach. "Well, of course" she smiled. "I'm sure our wonderful Cassie would be willing to serve you in any way she can" That wasn't a request on her part and I knew I had no choice but to do as they both said. If only she knew how true her last statement was. I wasn't sure she would be so eager to have us work together.