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“Nik,” he said, his tone lowering to that deep, intimate level that curled her toes and sent a ribbon of warmth and desire through her. His gaze captured hers as he quietly, though vehemently, added, “Stay in my suite tonight. Where you’re close by, close to me. One last time.”
41
Damen wasn’t the sort to plead or beg or negotiate.
When he wanted something, he went after it. And he typically got it.
This constantly precarious situation with Nikki, however, put him continually in compromising positions, where he had to maneuver strategically, appropriately. Carefully.
Every single instance with her since they’d met had been wrapped around a give and take—for both of them. Nothing was ever cut and dried. It sure as hell wasn’t plain and simple. Easy.
He honestly couldn’t imagine desperately needing to convince a woman to stay with him.
He did, however, with Nikki Kane.
He was also willing to—with Nikki Kane.
Damen stepped toward her. He said, “You like the bed. You’re comfortable in it. And you feel safe here at the house. Before you leave to go wherever you’re intending to go, get a good night’s sleep.”
He knew his expression was an imploring one. It was also a sincere one.
He would earnestly fulfill his promise. He’d take the couch, let her have the bed all to herself. He wouldn’t encroach.
No, that was not his preference. Naturally, he wanted to slip between the sheets with her, curl his naked body around hers, feel her silky skin and inhale her sultry scent.
But Damen knew the fine line they once again teetered on, like a sliver-thin tightrope.
He recognized it was a miracle she’d ended up at his house tonight, after she’d walked out on him at the ops center today.
Regardless of Garcia having intervened and taken Nikki to her family’s compound, Nikki didn’t have to come here at the end of the night. She could have asked—demanded—Damen take her to a hotel. She could have stayed in Little Tijuana. She could have gone home with Garcia.
Instead, she’d allowed Damen to collect her and bring her here.
So, clearly, this was a haven for her.
He’d let her soak up the security of it all without imposing on her, difficult though that had been since her return—and continued to be.
All he asked was that she stay near him. Here, in his suite.
She appeared wary of his intentions. But also weary, in general.
She was still exhausted.
So he said, “May I?” He extended his arms toward her.
She eyed him for a moment, debated his offering, then nodded her head.
He scooped her up and carried her to the bed. He set her on the side he knew she liked, then kissed her forehead.
Nikki settled under the thick covers and Damen returned to the sofa.
It was a bittersweet ending to something that had started in a bed—a hospital bed.
But then he mentally amended this wasn’t bittersweet at all. This was downright devastating. Agonizing. Excruciating.
She’d leave in the morning and…
That would be that?
