“Stay here. I’ll be right back,” he says.
Damian goes to the bathroom and comes back a minute later with a wet cloth. He cleans our combined mess, gently wiping me, my overstimulated clit throbbing with the smallest touches.
He gets back into bed with me, and I drape myself over him. His toned chest is covered in thin, trimmed hair, and I run my hand over it, placing a kiss to the center of his ribs, right over his heart.
He holds me close, but I can feel his breathing evening out. His eyes close, the dark lashes fanning out over his cheek. I should probably think about getting out of here, going back to my place. But I’m far toocomfortable, too tired, too desperate to not end our night, to worry about it.
My eyes and limbs grow heavy in his arms. Just before I fall asleep, Damian whispers, “Good night, beautiful.” And that’s the last thing I hear before I’m pulled under.
Chapter 28
Brielle
Islipintomyshoes from yesterday and take the premade protein shake off the counter. Damian makes one for me every day before work. Most mornings, he drives me into work with him. He goes in first while I grab a coffee and pastry from the café on the corner, but this morning, he had a meeting that he needed to get to, so he left early.
It’s the first time I’ve been alone in his apartment since we started having sleepovers a few weeks ago. We haven’t put a label on this or discussed what we’re doing, other than having a damn good time together. But him leaving me alone here this morning feels like a step toward something serious.
I tuck in the button-down that I stole from his closet and bring up the ride share app on my phone. The one that Damian made me attach his credit card to so that I could get to the office this morning since I’m too far to walk from his place.
The office is already bustling when I show up. I spend my mornings working with Rui and Erica, so I head to the accounting department’s shared office as soon as I get in.
“Morning, Bri,” Erica calls.
“Good morning.” I smile at them both.
“Still grinning like a fool, I see,” Rui laughs. “Glad to see things are going well with you and the mystery man.”
“They are.” I tuck a lock of hair out of my face. They pick on me about how giddy I’ve been lately—apparently, lots of great sex will do that to me—but they haven’t pushed about who he is. I still have him listed as Valentine in my phone, not that either Rui or Erica are looking over my shoulder as we work.
The sound of his steady footfall catches my attention. Despite spending every evening with him, I still can’t wait to see him every day at the office. He stops at the office down the hall, where one of our marketing teams sits. He doesn’t even look my way as he passes my door, but the energy between us crackles.
God, even his back is hot. But what’s even hotter is knowing that beneath that shirt are the scratch marks left behind by my nails.
I drag my eyes back to my computer while he discusses the next implementation of their project.
“Brielle,” he calls harshly. “Can you come here, please?”
I meet him in the hallway, a fake smile plastered on my face for being summoned so rudely. “Yes, sir. What can I do for you?”
He looks down at me with those heavy brows and no-nonsense expression, but his eyes spark quickly before he continues on like normal.
“I want you to be involved in the Heartland campaign. Aaron should have all the research needed for you to get started. Go over what Brian and Kyle have already and see what we can do to make it better.”
Brian and Kyle have been working on the bath and body company’s campaign for weeks. During our weekly conferences, where each team presents the progress on our accounts, I’ve witnessed the many times Damian has had to redirect their vision or straight up squash one oftheir designs. I’m not shocked that Damian wants to put someone else on their team for guidance, but I’m not sure it should be me.
“Mr. Edgerton,” I start. “I’m happy to help any way I can, but are you sure I’m the right fit? I’m still learning, and between the Vitales’ portfolio and accounting…”
It’s a conversation we’ve already had. I’ll always do everything I can to help anyone, but going back to working through the night to get everything done isn’t going to happen.
“Rui,” he calls, ignoring my comments.
“Yes, sir?”
“Tell HR to post a staff accountant’s position again. We’ll need to backfill Brielle since she’ll be moving to marketing full-time going forward.”
What? Just like that?I would love to drop the accounting functions and work full-time in marketing. I’ve learned so much in the last few weeks from Trent and Danielle, and I think I could be really good at it with a little more experience behind me. Working on another account would be super helpful in gaining that experience, designing content that needs to fit a completely different brand and demographic. But I can’t help but wonder if I was selected because of our relationship. He should have asked Trent or Danielle to join their team as an additional resource, not come to me.
“Da.. Mr. Edgerton, can I talk to you?” I ask, my eyes drilling holes into his skull.
