Chapter Nine

Hope.

It was my turn to shrug a shoulder and, needing to break eye contact, I leaned down to pick up a few pieces of the bread I’d inadvertently scattered.

“Leave it. Alba will clean it up.”

I shook my head, feeling tears building, refusing to let him see.

“Leave it, Hope. When I’m talking to you, I expect your undivided attention.”

I snorted, wiping my face, angry again. I faced him. “You expect so many things. Maybe what you need to do is check those expectations. You are less likely to be disappointed then.”

His eyes narrowed, and his chest heaved as he took a deep breath in.

“Am I irritating you, Damian? Because you know what’s irritating me? Your stuff drying on my skin,” I said through clenched teeth. I stood so fast, I knocked the chair over behind me. “You have told me your rules. Well, fine. I have just one of my own. Leave. Me. Alone!” I turned on my heel to march off.

“Sit back down,” he hissed. “Now.”

“Fuck. You. I’m going to take a shower.”

I heard his chair scr