CHAPTER FIVE

Damien’s POV

I leaned back in my chair, a grin tugging at my lips. Today was… surprisingly fun. My afternoon wasn’t supposed to turn out this way, but I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

I had just returned from visiting Adrian Hale. Honestly, I wasn’t sure if going to see him was the best idea. I’d been nervous when I decided to drop by, mostly because I had no clue how he’d react after the last time I saw him cry. But the truth was, I couldn’t sit still without knowing how he was doing. And seeing him even with red eyes and exhaustion painted all over his face only made my chest ache more. He was still beautiful. Too beautiful for his own good.

Closing my eyes, I let the memory replay in my mind.

Five Hours Earlier

Sam was waiting in the car when I stepped out in front of Hale Inns. My original plan was simple: get in, check on Adrian, maybe ask why he’d been crying, and if he wasn’t ready to talk, at least leave knowing he wasn’t breaking apart alone. If things went smoothly, I’d even convince him to eat lunch with me.

I took the elevator to the top floor, and as soon as the doors slid open, I walked straight toward the secretary’s desk.

“Hello,” I greeted casually.

The woman looked up, and instantly, her face went pink. She gave me one of those looks women always gave me too much interest in her eyes, fake smile tugging her lips. It almost made me gag.

“Hi, sir. How can I help you?” she asked, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear and leaning forward just enough to make sure I saw everything she wanted me to.

Gross.

“Is Adrian in his office?”

“Yes, sir, but do you have an appointment?” she asked, pretending to be polite but really just fishing.

I shook my head, smiling. “No. I thought I’d surprise him.”

Her eyes narrowed slightly. “May I ask who you are?”

That made me pause. What exactly was I to Adrian? I wasn’t about to say friend that sounded pathetic. After a beat, I leaned closer with a smirk. “His boyfriend.”

Her mouth fell open, and she sat back like I’d just slapped her across the face. Perfect.

“Would you like me to show you in?” she asked stiffly.

“No, thanks. I’ll go myself.”

I left her fuming at her desk and walked into Adrian’s office. The sight that greeted me stopped me in my tracks.

He was asleep.

His head leaned slightly to the side, lips parted, a soft snore slipping past. For a second, my chest tightened in something I didn’t want to name. He looked so peaceful, so… human.

Checking my watch, I realized it was already past two. No wonder he’d skipped lunch. Again.

I slipped back out and asked the secretary, “Has Mr. Hale eaten yet today?”

She shook her head. “No, sir. He hasn’t left this office since this morning.”

“Thank you,” I muttered before going back inside.

I stared at him for another moment before pulling out my phone. “Sam,” I said when he picked up, “get me a big burger with soda. Bring it upstairs.”

“Yes, sir. Anything else?”

“Make sure it tastes good or I’ll fire you.”

“Yes, sir,” he said flatly before hanging up.

While waiting, my eyes drifted toward his desk, where the flowers I’d sent sat in a vase. My lips curved. He kept them. He hadn’t thrown them out.

Minutes later, there was a knock. The secretary came in holding a paper bag. “Samuel asked me to deliver this to you, sir.”

I took it and returned to Adrian. Setting the bag on his desk, I leaned down and gently shook his shoulder.

“Go away, Lauren,” he mumbled, voice thick with sleep.

A grin spread across my face. “Not exactly a morning person, huh?”

His eyes flew open, wide and shocked, rimmed red from crying. For a moment, he just stared. Then his lips parted.

“What the ”

“Sir?” Sam’s voice broke through my memory, snapping me back to the present. I blinked, annoyed.

“What is it, Sam?”

“It’s already 4:30. If you don’t want to be late for your meeting with Mr. Hale, you should get ready.”

My eyes widened. I checked the time. “Shit. Let’s go!”

Back at home, I jumped into the shower, scrubbing like a man possessed. I wanted no, needed to look perfect. For him.

Dripping wet, I ran to my closet. After tossing a pile of clothes aside, I found it a mocha-colored suit with a vest and polished shoes to match. No tie. I didn’t care.

Perfume. Watch. A few rings. Hair styled down to perfection. By 5:30, Sam was already driving me back.

When we arrived at Hale Inns, the secretary’s desk was empty. Figures. I walked toward Adrian’s office, and before I even reached the door, I heard his voice inside.

“Is my bowtie crooked? Adam, if you don’t tell me I look good, you’re fired!”

I chuckled. We had more in common than I thought.

I knocked and entered.

Adrian turned to me, his face instantly flushing. He was dressed in a flawless gray suit, his bowtie indeed crooked. My lips twitched.

Crossing the room, I fixed it with steady hands. “There. You already looked perfect, but now… even better.”

His cheeks darkened.

“You ready?” I asked.

He nodded, his eyes avoiding mine.

I slid my hand into his, fingers lacing. My heart pounded harder than I wanted to admit. As the elevator doors closed, I leaned closer.

“ wife?”

He froze. “Y–yes?”

“Forgive me.”

“For what?”

“For this.”

I cupped his chin and pressed my lips to his. His soft moan nearly undid me. My hand tangled in his hair as his lips parted for me. When my tongue slid past, he clutched at me desperately, his body pressing against mine.

And then the elevator dinged.

We broke apart, breathless. Sam stood there, throat clearing loudly. I smirked and tightened my hold on Adrian’s hand, leading him past my driver and out to the car.

Inside, I glanced at him. “Sorry… for the kiss.”

“I–it’s fine,” he stammered. “I was just surprised.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Was it your first kiss?”

He looked away. Silence stretched.

“Answer me,” I pressed.

His cheeks burned as he whispered, “Y–you.”

A laugh escaped me as I remembered our first meeting when I kissed him just to shut him up.

He swallowed. “W–who was yours?”

“Doesn’t matter. All I know is that you felt like my first.”

His lips parted, shocked. I leaned in and kissed his cheek, watching his eyes widen in disbelief.

By the time we reached Bellavue, cameras were already flashing. Reporters yelling. I ignored them all and stepped out, holding my hand out for Adrian. He hesitated before taking it.

“You ready?” I asked.

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” he whispered nervously. “Is this okay? Us… being seen like this?”

“As long as it’s with you,” I said without hesitation.

Inside, the hostess froze when she noticed me. “Oh my God you’re Damien Cross! Can I get your number?”

Adrian scoffed, rolling his eyes. “Not a chance. Do your job and show us our table before I report to you.”

I barely held back my laughter as I followed him to the table.

Pulling his chair out, I teased, “What a jealous little  wife I have.”

He raised a brow. “Don’t flatter yourself.”

But later, as we ate, his resolve cracked.

“Fine!” he blurted suddenly. “I was jealous, okay? I can’t stand anyone flirting with you. I can’t sleep because I keep thinking of you. My heart still won’t calm down from that kiss. I spent hours making sure I looked good tonight, and I don’t even know why I get so nervous with you. You’re in my head, Damien. Always.”

Before he could say more, I leaned across the table and kissed him again, ignoring the camera flashes going off around us.

When I pulled back, I whispered against his lips, “So… does that mean you’ll marry me?”

His eyes softened. “No. I just wanted to confess of course I will, you arrogant, egotistical maniac!”

“Say it,” I demanded.

He rolled his eyes but smiled. “Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you, Damien Cross.”

And just like that, the world outside stopped mattering.