CHAPTER 5

(MR. DAMON’S POV)

Our heads snapped toward the sudden noise. A couple getting overly hands-on had lost their balance, attempting to use a restroom door for support. The cheap wood gave in, splintering and breaking right off its hinges. Alix and I exchanged wide-eyed glances before bursting into laughter.

The suffocating tension had instantly been broken.

“Let’s go to my place. I can call a cab,” I suggested, hastily tucking my throbbing cock back into my jeans and adjusting my shirt to conceal my rigid bulge just as Alix frantically smoothed down her dress.

“Okay… you do that. I’ll go grab our bags from the table,” she said, and we bolted out of the restroom.

I hurried toward the bar’s exit while dialing a cab on my phone. From the doorway, I could see Alix trying to explain things to a slightly drunk Helen and a completely wasted Banny as she attempted to yank my bag out from under Banny’s heavy arms. Banny just let out a loud, sloppy laugh, gave a thumbs-up, and staggered off toward the bathrooms.

“I’m here,” Alix said, appearing by my side with the bags just as our cab pulled up to the curb.

“After you, ma’am,” I gestured, holding the door open.

“Oh, please, drop the chivalry,” Alix laughed, sliding into the back seat.

*********

We couldn’t wait. The second my apartment door swung shut behind us, our lips crashed together with a desperate, hungry force. I pulled back for a split second, cupping her flushed face in my large hands.

“Do you want to?”

“Yes.”

Without warning, I scooped her up as if she weighed nothing, slamming her back against the soft mattress. I caught her breathless groans with my mouth, pressing my hard bulge firmly between her thighs.

“Fuck!”

I tore myself out of her grip for a fraction of a second, standing over the bed with my broad frame towering above her. The innocent girl she used to be was entirely gone; her eyes were blazing with unbridled lust and raw hunger. She slowly drew an imaginary line down her body, her eyes locking onto mine as she lifted her blouse slightly.

“Take off everything,” I commanded.

Without a word, she yanked her blouse over her head, revealing the most breathtaking body I had ever laid eyes on. I drew in a sharp breath, completely ravaging her with my gaze. Reaching blindly for the drawer beside my bed, I grabbed a condom, tore it open with my teeth, and rolled it on.

Worshiping her body was an art form I never grew tired of.

The following weeks were a dizzying blur of fun, heavy passion, and deep connection. The day I asked her to be my girlfriend remains a cherished memory—her face lit up with an over-the-moon excitement that completely melted me. Around the same time, she landed her agent gig at the insurance firm, and her obnoxious ex-boyfriend, Marcus, finally backed off after a series of pathetic, pestering attempts to win her back.

Things couldn't possibly have gone better from there.

*********

Knock, knock.

I was taken aback by how fast the door swung open.

“Good afternoon, ma’am! I’m—” I started, but Mrs. Reyes cut me off mid-sentence.

“Oh, my dear… you must be Charles! Alix has been talking non-stop about you. You look even better in person. Come in, come in, the whole family’s waiting!”

I handed her the small bouquet I’d brought. “Oh, that’s really sweet of you… Alix! Charles is here!” she yelled down the hall.

I smiled politely and stepped inside, taking in the warm, bustling environment as Mrs. Reyes led me toward the dining room before vanishing into what I assumed was the kitchen. Mr. Reyes was already seated at the head of the table; he looked gentle and easygoing, offering a wide, welcoming smile as I took a seat.

A moment later, heavy footsteps pounded down the stairs. A boy, probably around ten years of age, came barreling breathlessly into the room.

“Hi, I'm Caleb, the coolest person in this family, and… ooh, is that a Teral Tag?” he asked, his eyes darting from my face to the small scientific lapel pin attached to my pocket.

“Yeah, I'm a big fan,” I responded.

He shrieked with joy and started talking a mile a minute, rambling so fast I could barely make out a single word.

“Caleb, leave him alone with your stupid toys,” Alix shouted, gracefully descending the staircase. She wore a simple outfit, but she clearly put extra effort into making it look effortlessly chic and party-ready. She looked radiant. I couldn't tear my eyes away from her until she reached my side, leaning down to plant a soft kiss on my lips before sliding into the chair right next to mine.

“Ew,” Caleb muttered, taking a seat across from me and immediately resuming his chatter with his dad.

Mrs. Reyes came out carrying a heavy tray, followed by a younger girl—Alix’s younger sister, Halle. They placed the food on the table, and Mrs. Reyes began dishing out the contents into smaller plates while I politely answered a stream of academic and sports questions from Mr. Reyes.

“Halle, go upstairs and bring the box on my bed. It’s for Charles,” Alix said casually, spoon-feeding me a bite of food right off her plate.

“Why can’t you go get it yourself?”

The entire table froze. Alix glared daggers at Halle from across the spread.

“What did you just say?” Alix hissed, her temper instantly flaring while I sat there, utterly bewildered by the sudden shift in atmosphere.

Halle glared right back at her.

“Don’t ever talk to your sister that way, young lady,” Mrs. Reyes snapped, her face tightening with obvious annoyance as she shot Halle a lethal look.

“I don’t see why she can’t get it herself, or send Caleb. I’ve been working hard all day, and I’d like a few minutes to eat in peace without anyone shoving a stupid family introduction down my throat,” Halle retorted, shoving her chair back and standing up abruptly.

Alix gasped, her grip tightening painfully around my arm as the tension in the room spiked to a suffocating level. I decided to intervene.

“I’m sorry, I could go get it myself. There’s really no need for anyone to be annoyed,” I offered smoothly, trying to defuse the bomb before it blew.

“You will do no such thing, my dear! Halle, apologize to everyone at this table or leave right now!” Mrs. Reyes ordered, her gaze bouncing between me and her defiant younger daughter.

“I don’t even have an appetite anymore. I'm going to my room,” Halle muttered, storming off toward the stairs while mumbling under her breath.

Though she was far away, I caught the tail-end of her bitter muttering: “...Stupid introductions every time, yet they never stay anyway...”

“Dad, you know it would be nice if you actually tried talking to her. She’s getting entirely too rebellious,” Alix complained, turning toward her father.

Mr. Reyes just gave a noncommittal nod, acting as though the whole outburst was completely under control as he took a massive mouthful of custard.

The rest of the dinner went by smoothly enough, but Halle and I never really connected during any of my subsequent visits. Those family dinners soon became a mandatory Thursday night tradition, mostly because Mrs. Reyes insisted on locking down our routine.