Page 86 of Abundance of Obsession

I have no idea if I should discourage him or let him be. It’s a tightrope walk. A dangerous game.

“I’m here with you. Not with him.” My fingers stroke his neck. “I missed you. That says something, doesn’t it?”

The last traces of Damien’s anger leave him. “You’re right, Lily. Forgive me.”

Once again, he leans in and starts kissing me. And I let him. Though with each passing second, I feel worse and worse.

A sense of betrayal weighs heavily on my heart.

No doubt about it.

And Damien is back to normal. If you can call it that. It’s magical how he flips a switch and changes his personality, becoming tender and kind. Charming and attentive.

We dance to a few more songs without stopping for a drink or a rest on the couches. I needed this. As much as I can, I push the fact that I’m here with him right now and not with someone else out of my mind.

I think we’re pretending that what happened just a moment ago never happened at all.

When we’re both sweaty from all the dancing, we slowly get ready to leave. A car is already waiting for us at the exit.

When we sit in the back, Damien immediately wraps his arms around me. I rest my head on his shoulder and close my eyes.

“Tired?” he asks in a hushed voice.

“Hmm.”

Now it’s time for the harder part of the plan.

Just the thought of it sends a shiver through my body. Luckily, Damien senses that I’m cold and rubs my arm.

How on earth am I supposed to do this?

I’m about to ask him if we can go to his place, but he beats me to it.

“I’d suggest we go to my place…” The air gets stuck in my lungs. “But I have to be at the office at dawn. Another time?” The sadness in his voice is obvious.

Fuck.

This wasn’t supposed to happen!

What now? Zoe, think.

My mind is blank. The rhythm of my heart quickens. I’m about to lose him. My plan is going to fall apart!

But I guess I have no choice but to give in. Pressuring him might set off his suspicions. And I don’t need that.

“Too bad. Another time, then,” I say, disappointed.

Damien gives the driver instructions while stroking my back.

We drive in silence. I keep my eyes closed, keeping silence.

“Are you asleep?” he asks at one point, but I don’t answer.

A coincidence. This is the moment I needed yet didn’t foresee. Damien moves, and I realize I did the right thing.

“Yes?” he whispers into the phone. “We have a moment… I can’t speak any louder. Lily’s asleep.” For a while, he listens to whoever’s on the other end. “Is everything ready?” He listens again.

I can hear my heart pounding. I hope he doesn’t notice.