Page 37 of Abundance of Obsession

“And you want…?” I say, almost in a whisper.

“You,” he finishes for me. “I want you. You know that, Lily.”

His bluntness is refreshing and alluring. Maybe it should scare me off, but it’s the exact opposite.

“What if I don’t feel the same way?”

“Then you wouldn’t be here. It’s that simple. But that’s not the case, is it? I saw it in your eyes when we met, and I see it now. There’s an attraction between us we’d both like to explore. Because when I first saw you out there on the dance floor, it wasn’t just an ‘I’d sleep with her’ kind of thing. And even though I can’t put my finger on what it is, I knew in that moment that it was something different.”

Damien leans in, turns my hand over, and kisses my wrist. A shiver runs down my arm.

I gather my courage, raise my chin, and whisper, “You’re right. So we’ll just see where this takes us?”

“I think so. That’s exactly what I’d like.”

Golden flecks in his eyes sparkle as I nod.

“A chance. That’s all I’m asking for,” he adds. “Now tell me the first thought that crossed your mind when you woke up this morning.”

My eyes roll, but a smile spreads across my face. Of course I’m not telling the truth; I make up a funny minor story and amuse him until he burst into loud laughter. And I take great pleasure in being able to do this.

From that moment on, the conversation takes a lighter turn. We talk about plans for the future, and a little about the past. We talk about everything and nothing in particular. Time seems to vanish before our eyes.

Relaxed, we smile all evening. Damien turns out to be a funny guy, well established in life, and popular. Now and then his phone vibrates on the table, but he ignores it.

A notification pops up on my phone screen, accompanied by a vibration. A quick glance reveals Eli’s name. I resist the urge to roll my eyes—of course he chose this exact moment to text.

“Read the message. I don’t mind,” Damien says.

There’s nothing on his face to suggest he’s upset or angry. There’s only understanding.

Eli

Zoe, answer the phone. We need to talk.

At the top of the screen, I do indeed see seven missed calls. I don’t check if they’re all from him; it doesn’t matter. How did I not notice this sooner?

Zoe

Not now. I’m busy.

I look at Damien. I don’t know what to expect, but he’s just watching me. Waiting for me to finish. Apologetically, I glance at him as another message comes in.

Eli

I know you’re mad at me, but we need to talk about our last meeting. I need to see you.

A flush rises to my cheeks at the very thought of that moment. And I was doing so well at getting Elijah Montgomery out of my head.

Zoe

We’ll talk about it later. I’m kind of in the middle of a date.

For the next twenty seconds, Eli doesn’t reply. I know because I’m counting them. But when that message arrives, I choke on my saliva, and it’s not a pretty sight.

Eli

If you want him to survive over 24 hours, don’t let him touch you.