So, I hugged myself instead, averting my gaze.
Say something, stupid.
But no words came out. I couldn’t say something without saying it all.
It was cheesy, stupid, and totally a dumb Hallmark movie plot, but I’d fallen for him.
Hard.
Even from the beginning, when he kept me at arm’s length, I’d wanted him. Then, as my friend, I cared for him. And soon after, I fell in love with him.
It was easy to do. Damien was charming, sexy, and there for me when I needed someone.
“Cay…”
I swallowed hard. My name on his lips, a curse. The sound so sweet it hurt, but I was stupid enough to want him to say it again.
“Can I come in?”
My mouth was apparently glued shut, so I moved away from the door and waited for him to follow. I made a beeline tomy comfy place on the couch, ready to put my blanket in my lap and hold my coffee like armor against him.
He sat on the cushion next to me.
It was impossible not to notice his long leg was mere centimeters from me.Little lightning bolts jumped from his skin to mine, making it impossible to forget how close he was after being apart for so long.
“I’m sorry to burst in on you like this. I’m sure you’re just getting up.” He drummed his fingers on his legs.
Oh, God.
My body turned into an inferno when I realized I still wore my pajama shorts and an oversized tee. I’d thrown my hair up into a messy bun and had traces of yesterday’s makeup on my face.
My skincare routine was a work in progress. Don’t come for me, okay?However, I was in no shape to host Damien Walker—Rockstar, Adonis, Sex God, Keeper of My Heart.
Fuck me.
I cleared my throat and, through sheer determination, forced some words out. “It’s fine.”
Smoooooooth.
The corner of his mouth rose briefly before returning to his stoic expression. “Can we talk? Please. Just hear me out, and then you can return to hating my guts if that’s what you want. But I can’t walk away without you knowing everything.”
I chewed my lower lip. I’d been so against letting him explain what happened simply out of fear that he would fill my head with these ideas that there was still hope for us. But I didn’t want to be lied to or feel manipulated.
I’d needed a clean break.
But now, with the heat of the moment anger gone, I wasn’t so against it.
I lifted my chin. “Jade is still asleep. You have until she gets up.”
Damien nodded. “Okay.”He angled his body toward me and opened his mouth.
Then, shut it with a frown.
He did that twice before letting a nervous laugh out and running his hand through his hair.“I had this elaborate speech planned out on my drive here. But when I arrived, it was 4am, so I drove to a McDonalds and waited until it was an acceptable time to come. But it seems my grand speech turned nocturnal because now that the sun is up, it’s gone.”
“You got here at 4am?”
“Yeah, I didn’t actually plan this out. I had a ‘what the fuck am I doing’ moment and left the house. I wanted to get to you as soon as possible and stop wasting the time we should be spending together.”
