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To be honest, I wouldn’t mind if we walked the whole three miles today so we can talk.
We start our run once we’re out of my front gate and begin our silent jog down the street. We don’t usually talk; I’m not in the kind of shape that allows me to have a whole conversation while running. Damian, on the other hand, is a machine and could probably have a full-fledged argument while sprinting. It’s a nice morning, and I note some of the non-gated houses have set up their sprinklers. Some people are already out by their pools. Kids are outside playing. About ten minutes later, we finish the first mile and we slow to a stop.
“I have to start pushing you harder. You barely broke a sweat,” he says and I pull the AirPods out of my ear, holding them in my hand as we continue walking.
“Excuse you, I liked that pace. And there are other ways you could push me that will make me break a sweat. Probably more enjoyable too.”
“I don’t know, it’s pretty enjoyable for me running behind you.” I shake my head, turning back towards the road as a smile slowly finds my face. “I can’t stop thinking about last night.”Oh, this is almost too easy. Part of me thought he wouldn’t be up for talking about it, but he’s openly flirting with me?
“Oh?”
“I pride myself on keeping it together. Not losing control and yet…all I want to do is lose myself in you.” My eyes widen at his confession and I reach for his hand when he pulls away slightly and shakes his head. “Forget we’re in public?”
“Right. Yes.” I let out a breath because there are always eyes watching. Even in this gated community, where there aren’t usually a ton of paparazzi. Even fellow celebrities have big mouths. It’s fucking annoying.
“I can’t stop thinking about you either. I thought about you all last night,” I tell him.
“What did you think about?” His voice lowers, like he knows what he’s asking is private.
“What it would feel like. You and me. My imagination and my vibrator didn’t really do it justice.” He groans, picking his hat up and moving it backwards to rub a hand over his face, scrubbing a hand over his stubbled jaw which sounds almost as sexy as it looks. “Are you fucking kidding me?” I mutter and he chuckles.
“Your nipples are poking through your top, those shorts give your ass so much definition, they’re basically molded to you, and you just gave me a visual of you fucking a vibrator while you thought about me, and you can’t handle how I wear my hat?”
I glare at him. “Correct. Unless of course, you want me to try to mount you in front of all of the gated community of Lakeland?”
He shoots me a smile, revealing all of his teeth and I swear my heart skips a beat. “I have your itinerary for the day,” he starts, and I note he still hasn’t moved his hat.Tease. “I see you have a party downtown tonight?”
“Unfortunately. I’m supposed to go with Paxton.” I shake my head. “I am so fucking angry with him.” He doesn’t respond. “I trusted him.” I sigh. “It’s weird though; I feel nothing for him. It’s like he’s a totally different person to me now. Learning about that kind of betrayal—” I scrunch my nose. “I’m disgusted. How will I ever trust anyone again?”
“Not all men cheat.”
A smile ghosts over my face, but I don’t look at him. “Never cheated on anyone?”
“No,” he answers instantly.
“Not even emotionally? Maybe when you were overseas and a little bit homesick?” I probe, putting my thumb and index finger an inch apart.
“No. When I’m with a woman, I only have eyes for her.” I turn to look at him and our eyes meet. Dark, intense eyes that I can’t look away from. My heart flutters thinking about him with his eyes on me.Only for me.
I nod and turn back towards the road. “Good to know.”
“If there’s any point that you want to go,” he starts, “you let me know.” I cock my head to the side wondering what he means when he clarifies. “Tonight?”
“Oh. Right.”
I want to say something about us or what later tonight after the party could mean for him and me or what any of this means for him and me, but he speaks before I can figure out how to phrase it. “Race you the last mile?” He looks at his watch before turning to me. “Come on, I’ll go slow.”
I put my middle finger up although it wasn’t a dig. He can run a mile in six minutes and it takes me somewhere around ten.
“Fine.” I narrow my gaze at him, and just before he finishes his countdown from one, I take off back towards my house.
I spend most of the day getting ready for Lorenzo DiLaurenti’s party, theItdirector in Hollywood and the director of Paxton’s most recent film. It’s my first time being invited and I’ll admit I am excited. TheEnzo Galais the event of the summer and will have dozens of directors in attendance. With it being my final season of the show, and as I’m staring into the abyss of the unknown, it would be nice to see what else is out there. What elsethisworld can offer me. Lorenzo’s movie is anticipated to sweep the Oscars with nominations in all five major categories and several others. This party is the whole reason my PR team advised that I not end things with Paxton and yet I’m dreading going. I don’t want to fake anything. I don’t want to be on Paxton’s arm. I knew there would have to be some pleasantries and despite my anger last night, I knew there would be touching and perhaps even a kiss.
My hair and makeup team are just finishing up and I’m extremely pleased with how I look as I twirl in my full-length mirror. A floor-length champagne-beaded gown hugs me in all the right places giving me an even more cinched waist and tasteful cleavage with its sweetheart neckline. The back is completely open and goes down to a few inches above my butt and I am so grateful for all of the yoga and Pilates I’ve been doing recently to give me such a toned back. There is a slit that goes up to just above my knee and I hope it’s enough to still catch Damian’s attention. My hair is pulled off to one side, falling over my left shoulder and I can’t help picturing Damian’s mouth running over the skin exposed on the right side of my neck and shoulder. His teeth sinking into the flesh when we get back later tonight.
That is absolutely the plan.
I’m not planning to have any house guests tonight but I’m planning to have Damian in my bed. My lips are painted red but that is the boldest thing about my makeup; my eyes are covered with a mix of gold and bronze to complement my dress and my complexion.
