LOGINGABRIELLE’S POV“I’m sorry,” the housekeeper said, giving me a snarky look. “He does not want to receive guests. Maybe come back some other time.”Rhys and I exchanged glances.I turned back to her. “Please try to convince him. It would only take a minute.”“I understand,” she answered. “But he refuses to see anyone. And there is nothing I can do about that. I am only an employee.”I exhaled in defeat.We had been sitting in Zane’s living room for hours, yet he still refused to see us.Each time we asked, the answer remained the same.Rhys was this close to breaking in, but I had already stopped him twice. I did not need a scene, especially not here.“Did you tell him who we are?” I asked her.She hesitated, then nodded. “Yes. He said he does not want to see anyone right now.”I reached for my bag on the table and searched for a notepad and a pen before writing a short note.I handed it over to her. “Could you give this to him, please?”The housekeeper didn’t even bother to take it. “
DAMON’S POV “I know what you did.” The email was sent to my personal address, not the one listed on my business card that was open to the public. That alone narrowed things down. I ignored it and continued with my meeting, keeping my expression neutral, my voice steady as I spoke. Exactly thirty minutes later, another one came through. “I am open to an interview if you want.” Oh, I did want one. This had Aiden Marlow written all over it, even though the address was a fake, one-time account. Whether it was careless or deliberate, I couldn’t tell. Either way, he was testing me. And I had never been patient with tests. My second meeting ended, giving me exactly one hour before the next one. I stepped into my office, already pulling out my phone to call my wife. Gabrielle picked up on the first ring. “Hey, handsome,” her voice came through, light and warm. “Did you miss me?” A small smile pulled at my lips despite everything. Just hearing her voice was enough to take off
GABRIELLE’S POVDamon was already gone before I woke up the next morning.The space beside me had already gone cold.I instinctively reached for the note he left on the bedside table and read through it, a smile forming on my face. After that, I freshened up and immediately started working on my laptop. I had to come up with a series of new designs for my upcoming project.And I had awards to win.I was searching for my second phone when the card containing the reporter’s contact details fell out of my bag.I picked it up, glancing at the email address and phone number for a second before dropping it back like it burned.It was still morning, and I already needed a break.I went downstairs for tea and found Rhys already in the kitchen, a cup in his hand.“Good morning,” I greeted, a small smile on my face.“Good morning,” he responded. “My brother left a while ago.”I reached for a mug and a tea bag. “Did he tell you where he was going?”Rhys did not respond immediately.That alone w
GABRIELLE’S POV I shattered from a single thrust. My pulse roared in my ears as he swallowed every sound I made, savoring the way his cock stretched me out. I desperately wanted to see him—to hold him, to dig my nails into his skin—but I couldn’t. And that deprivation made everything hit harder. He broke the kiss and squeezed my ass harder. “Yes, come for me.” And fuck, I did. But he didn’t slow down. Even after I came, he kept pushing into me, every thrust harder than the last until the cross rattled under the force. My body tipped into overstimulation almost instantly. “I can’t… stop…” “You know what to say if you want me to stop,” he returned, his pace steadily rising. I did, but I didn’t say it. I couldn’t—even if I wanted to. I let him drive into me, taking everything he gave me and feeling his cock drag against my wall in a rhythm that had me ready for more. I felt his hand behind my head and the next second, the blindfold fell off. It took me a few blinks to adj
DAMON’S POV Gabrielle screamed. The whip was lightweight, so I knew it would sting just enough to make her lose her mind—not enough to leave a mark. “Oh my god,” she cried, spasms running through her legs. I caught her chin and forced her to look at me. “Do you want to say the safe word?” Her eyes were glassy when she raised them. “More… please.” The way she begged—her voice soft, her eyes shining with need—made my cock jerk in my pants. She looked so fucking perfect like this—naked, nipples clamped, her body spread open for me. “Damon, please,” she begged, straining against the restraints. “I…” “No, cara,” I cut in, pressing a finger to her lips. “Not yet. Close your eyes.” She obeyed. I pulled the blindfold from my pocket and tied it behind her head. “Damon—” “You told me to take it out on you,” I said, securing it in place. “You said you wanted this.” She nodded desperately. “Yes.” I stepped back, lifting the whip again, and brought it down across her other thigh.
GABRIELLE’S POV My body bounced twice on the bed when Damon dropped me onto it. I stared up at him, speechless, as he took off his jacket and began undoing his cuffs, his eyes never leaving mine. We were never apart for long without intimacy, but it had been a while since I had seen that wild look in his eyes. I missed it. Damon pulled his shirt over his head and climbed onto the bed. One hand closed around my thigh while the other supported his weight as he moved over me. I placed my hand against his chest, stopping him from leaning down. “Take me to the private room,” I said. After we moved, he had a private room made for us—similar to the one in his penthouse—hidden behind the walk-in closet. He paused, studying my expression. “You haven’t asked for that in a while. Are you sure?” “Yes,” I answered. Damon didn’t hesitate. He got off the bed and lifted me over his shoulders before stepping into the closet. He pressed the code into the lock and a few minutes later, a d
GABRIELLE’S POV “Damon…,” I managed to say. His eyes fell on Lila, who was still clutching her wrist. His entire body seemed to tense at once. “What happened?” he asked. “Gabby pushed me,” Lila cried, her voice breaking perfectly. “I didn’t,” I said immediately, my heart still pounding.
GABRIELLE’S POV “….Gabrielle?” I yawned loudly and stretched as I woke up. My body felt heavy and tired from a restless night, rather than from actual sleep. My head throbbed dully, and it took me a second to remember why. Wine. I drank too much of it. I squinted against the light fi
DAMON’S POV I had never been desperate. At least, not since it all happened. But as I sat in this club, drinking and discussing a very important topic, I realized I was desperate to leave. Desperate to go home. Fiorella was sitting a few distance from me, drinking and dancing with s
GABRIELLE’S POV I stared at my reflection in the mirror the next morning. My under eyes were a little bit swollen but aside from that, I looked perfect. Not glamorous or anything like that. I just looked normal. I made a promise not to dwell on what happened last night but I won’t forget







