Chapter 22

Diane's POV

I stare down slowly, my heart slamming in my chest, and I see it, staring back at me.

I... I'm holding his dick. Diane Hall is holding the dick of Conrad Beaumont for the second time, and I can feel the hardness right in my palm.

That does the magic.

The words and the realization hit me like a train, so hard that whatever demon possessed me disappears without a blink.

A scream tears through my lips as I jump away from him, suddenly regaining myself.

How... how did it happen? I was drinking with him, then... then I asked why he invited me over. His response wasn't what I wanted, and I foolishly continued drinking because I wanted to drown out everything.

I wanted to... to... to...

Oh God.

I glance around the room swiftly, and the moment I see my purse, I shoot out my hand to grab it, but someone is faster.

Conrad.

He grabs the purse before I can, and I instantly wish the ground would just pull me in.

My entire face is red with embarrassment. I can't believe I did this, not even in my wildest dreams.

He holds the purse up, a smirk on his lips. The mischievous kind. Mean, even.

"Don't you think you owe me an apology, Miss Hall?" He tilts his head as he asks.

I mutter a curse under my breath, which I'm not even sure he hears, then bow my head, eyes closed tightly.

"I'm sorry, sir. I'm really sorry, sir." I keep muttering the words like a mantra, like it'll revoke what I did.

Christ.

Alcohol is a bastard.

"You almost took advantage of me in your drunken state," he continues.

Okay... okay, what is this man saying? I don't even want to argue because he's kind of right, but he should have controlled himself.

That freak.

I don't want to look at him, so I keep my head bowed, repeating the words like I'm paid to. I almost kowtow for him, almost.

He hisses. "...and I almost lost control over myself. Don't you think that's kind of... sexual damage?"

Hello, sir? Sexual damage?!! I didn't fuck you, I only gripped your dick and...

I wouldn't dare scream that in his face. I only curse under my breath, because that's the least I can do.

I nod almost immediately. "That's why I've been apologizing and..."

"No!!" He cuts in sharply, his voice authoritative.

I swallow emptiness. "There are things sorry doesn't fix."

I told myself I wouldn't look at him, but I do. My gaze shoots up to him, eyes wide like they've seen a ghost with ten heads and horns.

Things sorry don't fix? Did this man hit his head or something? If sorry isn't going to fix the mistake I made, then what will? It's not like I crushed his balls or something, did I?

I finally open my mouth. "Then what will?" I ask softly, my heart pounding.

He shouldn't say something crazy!! Yeah, I made a mistake, but he shouldn't say what my head can't comprehend. He shouldn't say what will make me go mad.

He crosses his arms. "Simple!" He shrugs.

That word!

There's nothing simple about Conrad Beaumont.

"Okay..." I twitch my lips.

"Just some work here and there." He replies.

For a moment, I just stand there, staring at him, trying to process what he means by some work here and there, until it finally clicks.

"Ahh..." I snap my fingers, and he mimics me by mouthing an "ahh" too, with a snap of his fingers.

"I'll do that, I promise." I assure him.

He gives me a short smile, one that doesn't reach the corners of his eyes, then throws the purse to me.

I catch it in one go. I don't give him another moment to talk. I bolt out of the house.

Outside, the cold wind brushes against my skin, and I take a moment to stare at the building, exhaling in relief before pressing my fingers to my forehead.

Headache. Why now?

Luckily, I get a taxi faster than I thought, but the moment I make an attempt to get in, I suddenly feel eyes on me, like hideous shadows are threatening to catch up with me and pull me into doom.

My protective instincts kick in as I glance around the area, but I meet nothing. Just the night bokeh of the street, almost empty, with a few cabs and taxis here and there.

I sigh and finally get in, but the feeling persists, like someone is watching me from the shadows.

This time... I'm not being paranoid. Someone is really onto me.