ROXANNE POVI had just stepped through the back entrance of the nightclub, the bass-heavy rhythm from the main floor thudding beneath my heels. The lighting back here was dimmer, more muted. Cleaner. It always smelled faintly like citrus disinfectant and expensive cologne, probably Damien’s doing.I knew I didn’t have to be here. Not technically.I wasn’t just playing waitress for the cash or running anymore. Not since everything with Damien had unraveled and tangled itself around my life. But coming here kept my head clear. Keeps my thoughts busy. Kept me from spiraling.As I made my way toward the stairs leading up to the office, someone stepped out of the staff hallway just ahead. Tall, charming smile, the same soft eyes that had once made me feel...normal."Look who finally made it back...again," Samuel said, resting a towel over his shoulder as he flashed me a grin. "I heard you got promoted to the boss’s office." I hesitated, brushing a curl behind my ear as I gave him a small
ROXANNE POVIt was late afternoon by the time the glitter dust began to settle, literally.Angelina and I were camped out in the living room, surrounded by colored paper, glue sticks, pipe cleaners, foam letters, tiny pom-poms, and that one pair of pink safety scissors she refused to use unless I was holding them with her. I was still brushing specks of gold off my thighs from the earlier explosion of a glitter tube she swore was sealed."Pass me the purple feather." She said, leaning over the half-done showcase project we were crafting. It was a pop-up solar system made from recycled materials, paper mâché, and over-the-top decorations."Which one?" I teased, picking up both a soft lilac and a deep violet.She squinted. "The galaxy one. The dramatic one." I laughed and handed it to her. "Drama feather, coming right up." Angelina stuck it on the Saturn ring with proud precision and leaned back, smearing glue on her cheek without even noticing. I reached over and wiped it with the
ROXANNE POVI was back at Damien's estate. In the city I once fought tooth and nail to leave behind. The echoes of names I tried to forget. Garry. Kendrick. It was like a bad memory had followed me across oceans only to sit at the doorstep the minute the key was turned.I stood inside the greenhouse, the one just off the side of the estate’s east wing. A gentle breeze crept in from the open panels above, rustling the tall herbs and plants Damien kept alive in this space. The air smelled like damp earth and rosemary. But I barely noticed.I was listening.Thomas’s voice came from my left and Damien stood beside him, hands folded loosely in front of him, quiet as ever."I ran the report you gave me," Thomas said, flipping through a file in his hand. "All the names you remembered. The timeline. The vague details about your mother. Her face. The car crash. Everything." I didn’t respond. I just stared blankly at a tall lavender stalk in front of me.Thomas paused before continuing, his
ROXANNE POVI smoothed my hand down the side of my dark blue dress, watching my reflection in the tall mirror near the dresser as my mind slowly drifted back to last night in the study room with Damien. But, I quickly shook my head, having no regrets as I tried to focus on my outfit, instead. The fabric hugged my body just right; elegant and tasteful. My heels gave me just the right lift, and the soft waves I’d curled into my hair fell down my shoulders like something out of a magazine cover I never thought I’d resemble.I tucked a loose strand behind my ear and gave myself one last look. Nervous? Maybe a little. A soft knock came at the door, and I glanced over my shoulder.Damien stood there, leaning casually against the doorframe with his hands in his pockets. He wore black dress pants and a crisp white button-up, no tie, no jacket. His sleeves were rolled just past the elbows, exposing those forearms I pretended not to think about too often.God help me. His eyes trailed over
DAMIEN RAPHAËL POV I stood straight and unbuckled my belt one-handed, pushing down my pants just enough to free my hardened cock. I looked at her, seeing her hair spread out on the desk and the innocent look in her eyes as I slowly withdrew my fingers. I shifted her panties aside and positioned myself at her entrance, but I didn't thrust into her immediately; instead, I teased her by rubbing the head against her clit. I stared at her, jaw tightening. "Still think I'm a good man?" She smiled faintly, nodding and I placed a gentle kiss on her lips.I grabbed her hips roughly and squeezed into her hard and deep, making her gasp loudly. I didn't give her time to adjust as I started pounding into her aggressively, my balls slapping against her ass with each thrust. My hand covered her mouth to muffle her sharp moans. "Mmm...kitten, don't get too loud now."She whimpered, eyes rolling back as I filled her completely. She bit my hand covering her mouth, stopping herself from screaming a
DAMIEN RAPHAËL POVHer lips tasted like defiance and want.Sweet, maddening.Her hands tangled in my hair, trying to pull me deeper, closer, like she couldn’t get enough. Hell, I couldn’t either.She shifted slightly on the desk, her thighs brushing mine, the curve of her hips aligning with my grip as I stepped between them. I wrapped one hand around her waist, the other threading into her hair as I deepened the kiss, swallowing her quiet gasp.Her body arched into me. I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to slow down and be gentle with her. I pulled back slightly, letting my forehead rest against hers. My hand slid down the back of her neck, fingers brushing along her spine. "You sure about this, kitten?" I asked, keeping her anchored to me. "You still think there’s good in me?"A part of me wanted to ruin her completely. But, another part wanted to keep her untouched by everything that made me the man I am.She blinked up at me, her eyes half-lidded as she bit slightly on her lip.