Page 84 of Abundance of Obsession

“You’ve already made a reservation, so it’d be a waste if we don’t go if you’re in the mood for that.”

The corner of his mouth turns up. “That’s not what I asked, my love. I’m not that hungry—at least not for this. What do you feel like?”

“Honestly?” I ask, and when he nods, I say, “Ice cream.”

Sparks of amusement dance in Damien’s surprised eyes. He tries to hold it in, and I can see it until he finally bursts into loud laughter. “You—you want ice cream. I know the perfect place.” Chuckling, he presses the intercom. “Change of plans. Take us to Don Pedro.”

The driver changes direction, and Damien pulls me close to his side. “In that case, we’ll have ice cream. You never cease to surprise me, Lily.” He kisses the top of my head.

And you don’t even know the half of it. You’d be truly surprised then.

We visit an ice cream shop, and though the dessert is delicious, I can’t wait to dance. When Damien asks if Maximus is a good choice, I answer with a wide smile.

We walk right in without waiting in line—this time, thanks to Damien himself, whom the bouncer greets and lets through right away.

“Are you a regular here?” My curiosity is piqued.

“I used to come more often; I haven’t been here in a while.” Damien’s arm wraps around my waist.

“He seemed to know you pretty well.”

“He knows about me, but he doesn’t know me. Sometimes I wonder if anyone knows me. The real me,” he says cryptically.

I see an opportunity and seize it without hesitation. Bridging the distance between us, I bring my lips close to his ear. “If you let me, I’ll be the first person to discover the real you.”

Damien’s lips brush my forehead, then my nose, and finally my lips. A fleeting touch.

“You have no idea how close you are to achieving that right now,” he whispers.

There’s a promise in his eyes. And desire.

My fingers trace the line of his jaw. Smoothly shaved. Soft. “Let’s have a drink,” I suggest.

“Let’s meet at the bar in a minute. I need to use the restroom.”

I give him a peck on the cheek and disappear into the crowd.

The bass echoes; I can feel it under my feet. My insides bounce to the beat of the music.

The atmosphere is addictive.

I squeeze between two men and stand at the bar. When the bartender’s eyes fall on me, a gleam comes into them.

He tilts his head back and smiles widely.

“Hello, beautiful,” he says, standing in front of me. “Haven’t seen you here in a while.”

“I’m surprised you recognized me at all. Jack?”

“Jax,” he corrects me.

“Sorry,” I say. “I’m terrible with names. I’m Lily.”

“Lily… a beautiful name. And it’s okay. We didn’t get a chance to introduce ourselves last time. You never came back to see me the other day.”

I shrug, though I keep smiling. “Something important cut my evening short.”

“The most important thing is that you’re back.” His gaze drifts down to my dress. “That’s something new… If you’re not coming back from a funeral, I guess you need something daring tonight. Even so, you look beautiful.”