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Damon chuckles, looking so handsome in his black shirt.
“How are things with Luce, by the way?”
I pop another bite of cheesecake into my mouth.
“Good, as far as I know. She’s busy as a mom of two kids, but she loves it. But everything’s fine between you guys now, right? I remember how scared Lucy was to tell you she was dating Shane. She was really nervous about that.”
Damon looks rueful and stirs a little in his seat.
“I’m sorry,” I add quickly. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable by bringing up old news. I suppose it’s still a tricky scenario to navigate at times, even now.”
“No, no. Don’t apologize,” Damon says. He takes my hand in his to assure me it’s okay. “It was surprising, definitely, when I found out. I mean, how many guys really want to discover that their daughter’s dating their oldest friend? But it doesn’t seem like a big deal at all anymore. Shane treats her well, and he dotes on his kids too. I’m just glad Lucy is happy.”
I smile, and he continues.
“The age gap thing between my daughter and Shane isn’t a problem anymore either. My being upset about their relationship would be the pot calling the kettle black, don’t you think?”
I laugh, and my eyes being to glisten, causing Damon to lean over the table and softly kiss me. Then he pulls back and my breath hitches a bit.
“What are you thinking about babe?” Damon asks in a low voice. My lips purse for a moment and then break into a smile.
“Well, I love being with you, and I love spending time with you. It’s just that …”
“This doesn’t have to do with our May December relationship, does it?” he asks ruefully. “I knew that wasn’t a good topic to bring up.”
“No, no!” I say, waving my hands. “I was just wondering, well, do you have any thoughts on Saucy Nights? I know it hasn’t come up much ever since we talked about it that first time but I feel bad because … well, I haven’t been working, really. You’ve been supporting me.”
Damon takes my hand and looks deep into my eyes.
“Are you okay with that, honey? I don’t mind supporting you financially at all. And you know I can’t let you work for City Girls again. Not while you’re with me.”
I blush.
“I know, it’s just that it’s strange to be a kept woman, so to speak,” I whisper, my voice difficult to hear.
His eyes flare and a gentle finger strokes my cheek.
“No, you’re not a kept woman, sweetheart. I love being with you, and we’re only doing this because it’s what works best right now.”
I blush.
“I know, but I can’t live off of your dime forever, Damon. I should get my own thing going! Oh my god, imagine if your daughter found out about this.”
Damon throws his head back and laughs.
“Lucy wouldn’t care,” he says. “Besides, it’s just a few thousand a month, honey. It’s no big deal. I don’t mind paying your rent and food, and hell, if we weren’t on the downlow, I’d have you move in with me stat.”
I gasp, looking into his eyes.
“Move in with you?” I parrot.
He nods, eyes gleaming.
“Sweetheart, I’d love to wake up to your luscious curves every morning and sate myself in your sweetness. But right now, we haven’t even told my daughter about us, so it’s too early for that.”
I gasp, my heart going a million miles a minute. Does he really mean that? Does he really see a long-term future for us? But I force myself to stay calm. If Damon was really serious, then he’d help me with my business, wouldn’t he?
“I appreciate it,” I manage in a steady voice. “But I do need to work, and I think Saucy Nights could be really successful. I’m ready to be a businesswoman,” I say point blank. “Do you think you could make your investment by the end of the week?”
He lets a sharp breath, his eyes gleaming. It’s dark in the restaurant, so I can’t exactly make out his expression, but the hard line of his jaw tells me that something’s off. I cock my head sideways, making a face of playful frustration.
“What are you thinking?”
To my surprise, he answers immediately.
“I’m thinking that I’m still sampling the goods,” he growls in a deep, rough voice. “I need to know exactly what Saucy Nights will offer its customers before I make a significant investment.”
Immediately, my hopes are dashed. He’s not ready, and I was silly to even bring it up.
“Oh, I see,” I say in a soft voice.
Damon lifts my chin so that my eyes meet his, and I can’t hide my disappointment.
“Just one more taste,” he growls roughly again. “And maybe then, I’ll be willing to put money into the deal.”
I smile, but my heart’s not in it, even as he leans forward to kiss me again. After all, my situation is becoming clear. I thought of Damon as a potential business partner. I thought of my demanding alpha male as an astute businessman with the know-how and the means to jumpstart my business.
