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Chapter Twelve
Abby
She was engulfed in so much heat it was almost uncomfortable. Her eyes flickered open and she was momentarily disoriented by the strange surroundings. The room was dimly lit by a single, shaded lamp. She shuffled, tried to get out from under whatever heavy object held her prisoner. Lifting her head, she swept the room and then glanced beside her to find the source of the heat. The huge, naked male body beside her practically radiated fire. Damian. Of course, he radiated heat. The man was hot in every sense of the word. His arm was draped across her chest almost possessively. For a few seconds, she allowed herself to feel contentment, to pretend that what they shared a few hours ago was real. A nice date, followed by intimacy. The sex was amazing. He was officially and hands down the best lover she’d ever had, and she was still wrapped in his arms as if she belonged there.
Her fantasy vanished right along with the breath she released. Back to reality. Damian seemed out for the count. He had to be after he’d initiated another steamy round of love-making before she’d even fully recovered from the first. That was why they’d both drifted off on the very comfortable and roomy couch. It was time to do what she’d really gone to his place to do. With a heavy heart, Abby managed to slide out of his hold without waking him.
Sitting up, she gazed down at Damian’s sleeping form with a pout. Why did he have to look so scrumptious even when he slept? His features were relaxed—a world away from his usual severe expression. Why did the sex have to be so amazing? Why couldn’t they have met under different circumstances? Normal circumstances. Closing her eyes, she reminded herself who Damian really was. He was out to destroy her entire family unless she could destroy him first. Priorities back in order, she eased away from him and slid off of the couch.
His phone was on the floor, along with their scattered clothes. Grabbing his shirt, she threw it on while she stared at the phone. Glancing back at Damian, she reached for it. There had to be something in there she could use. Of course, it was password secured. It was foolish of her to think it would be so easy. With a muttered curse, she aimed for the stairs. Damian had implied that his bedroom was on the second floor. With no clue of where any light switches were located, Abby stumbled around in the dark until she remembered that she still clutched Damian’s phone in her hand. Using the screen’s light, she roamed until she spotted an open door.
It was a home office. “Even better than the bedroom.” She stepped into the room and gasped. It was more than an office. Shelves lined the walls, filled with rows upon rows of books. The literature geek in her wanted to check out Damian’s impressive collection. He wasn’t kidding when he said he had learned to appreciate being well read. He was like the perfect man that she wasn’t allowed to have.
“Ugh, why do we have to be enemies?” she asked herself.
Ignoring the books with great reluctance, she searched his desk. There was nothing but an empty folder, pens, and an open book that laid face down. She squinted to see the title of the book in the semi-dark. The Art of War.
Abby snorted. “Of course ... Maybe he really is a mob boss.”
She tried the drawers of the desk and nearly kicked the massive piece of wood in frustration. The drawers were locked, and the only one unlocked had nothing but blank paper inside. If luck wasn’t being such a bitch, she would have found some decent dirt on Damian, snuck out, and been done with him. Her mother would do the rest with whatever blackmail and evil deed she had planned. But, no, as luck would have it, she would have to keep up her charade with Damian. Hopefully, she could weasel more than one night out of him. She rubbed her eyes, while yawning and then backed out of the room.
There was no warning before she collided with a hard body. Letting out a scream, she whipped around and held up the cell phone. The small light left Damian’s features mostly shadowed. He looked like a killer in a slasher movie with the hard planes of his face twisted into a scowl.
Abby clutched her chest. “Damian.”
“Who else would it be?”
A light flicked on, and she blinked rapidly against the sudden assault on her retinas. “So, that’s where the light switch is …”
Damian crossed his arms. “What the hell are you doing sneaking around?” His eyes dropped to her hand. “With my phone?”
He looked so pissed that she nearly missed the fact that he was completely naked. The realization sent her into a fluster—so much so that she could barely formulate her lies. “I … I was looking for the bathroom. You said your bedroom was up here, I figured the bathroom was, too. I stumbled into this room and got distracted by the books. My purse and phone are in your car, so I borrowed yours to call a cab, but it’s password secured.”
“A cab at two a.m.?”
Her shoulders lifted. “I have an early appointment later this morning.” That part was true. She had applied for a job at an art gallery and she’d gotten a call for an interview.
She held out the phone to him. “I’m sorry. I should have asked first, but you just looked so peaceful. I didn’t want to wake you.”
His features softened, and a small smile touched his lips. “Don’t worry about it. You don’t really have to leave right now, do you? I can take you home as early as you need.”
“Oh … Okay. If it won’t be too much trouble.”
“It won’t.” His eyes moved to the shelves, and she was graced with another sexy grin. “Of course, you’d forget you have to pee at the sight of a few books.”
Relief flooded Abby. Holy hell. He'd bought her story. With a nervous giggle, she shook her head. “I’d say you have more than a few. I wish I could go through your library. It’s very impressive.”
“Another time. Let me show you the bathroom.” He walked off and sent her a brief glance over his shoulder. “You look delectable in my shirt, by the way.”
Despite nearly suffering a heart attack after almost getting caught snooping, Abby blushed and then tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, feeling foolishly pleased. “Thanks.” Damn him for making her feel all girly and pretty.
***
Abby sagged against the door of her parent’s home after giving Damian a cheerful wave. She was barely two days into her covert operation, and she was exhausted. “Oh, god … How much longer can I do this?” She dragged herself into the living room and threw herself onto a sofa.
Wyatt stepped into the living room and removed his earbuds. “Oh my god … Are you doing the walk of shame?”
Stifling a groan, Abby propped herself up on her elbows to glare at her brother. “Damn it, Sprout, aren’t you supposed to be at school or something?”
