Page 120 of Abundance of Obsession

“Now?” I don’t want to take off the earrings Ryker gave me, but Damien’s giving me an expectant look. It might be too suspicious if I don’t.

“Why not? It’s as good a time as any. Unless you don’t like them?” he asks, raising his eyebrows.

“Of course I like them. They’re gorgeous. I’m sorry. I’m just not myself today.”

The corner of Damien’s mouth turns up. “It’s okay. It happens to everyone. Try them on.”

Uneasy, but with no choice, I take off my earrings and place them on the table. That way, at least Ryker will still be able to hear everything.

“How do I look?” I ask after fastening the pearls.

“Like a femme fatale.”

A strange comment, but I let it slide.

“Aren’t you going to thank me properly, Lily?” Damien’s low voice sends a fresh wave of goosebumps.

“I already did.”

“How about a kiss?”

My expression remains neutral.

Just a little longer. Hang in there. It’s almost over.

Rising from the chair, I grant his request and lean toward his lips. The moment our lips touch, I feel disgust. No. This has to end. I can’t keep this up when Eli…

Damien grabs me around the waist and pulls me onto his lap. I giggle, but we don’t break the kiss.

Before I realize what’s happening, he grabs my thighs and stands up with me. On impulse, I wrap my legs around his waist.

What now? What next? Think, Zoe.

“My purse and my earrings.”

“They won’t get lost here. Let them stay.” He kisses my neck.

What on earth have you done?

Damien carries me into the cabin, and I understand that this was all a huge mistake. His hands hold me tight. Too tight. I don’t like this.

A few steps farther, and he lays me down on the bed. His body immediately covers mine, and he doesn’t stop kissing my neck and cleavage.

“You know, I don’t think this is the best time for this. I’m not feeling well,” I say. I’m not sure if he hears me because he doesn’t stop. Quite the opposite, he tugs at my dress strap. My breast pops out. I feel exposed. “Damien?”

One of his hands wanders to my neck. My heart races—I’m almost certain he’s about to choke me like Owen used to, but no. He just grabs the pendant and yanks so hard the chain snaps.

“What the hell are you doing?” I cry out. “Give it back.”

Dark eyes fixate on the small object in his palm. “You won’t need it anymore.” He tosses the necklace over his shoulder.

I screwed this up.

Panic-stricken, I peer over his shoulder at where my last hope lies.

“What the fuck are you doing? Let me go right now!” I’m not even pretending to be nice anymore.

I try to break free from him, but he grabs my wrists and pins them above my head. With his other hand, he reaches for the remaining strap of my dress. In a second, I’m bare-chested, and he caresses my breast.