CHAPTER 73

Lisa's POV

Damien's breath fans my whole face and smells strongly of booze. He puts his hands around my waist and I look at his lovely face, watching him blink like crazy.

After spending time with Romeo, I was terrified Damien might act rashly by departing for New York without telling me or by doing something unexpected.

I had to beg Romeo to let me go early so I could get some rest since I couldn't make up my mind.

He didn't hesitate to let me return to the hotel. He is such a gentleman, and I'm not sure what to do about his request for tonight.

I was so certain that he liked me and that I liked him too for the previous three days that we had been hanging out and for the past six days since we ran into each other, but now that he has finally admitted his emotions to me, all I can feel is numbness.

I wanted to return to the hotel for this reason so I could consider my options and make a choice.

I don't have enough time with Romeo. He requests a response from me by tomorrow since I could be leaving for Tuscany in two days with Alejandro and Romeo might also be leaving.

The question "Where have you been?" Damien's voice is quite low, which is not the rough, obnoxious sound I anticipated.

I respond, "Out", hoping he would release me so I may go. Since there is just one bed here and I don't feel like sharing a bed with him, I have no idea how we will spend the night. I don't even feel like speaking to him right now. I just want some solitude.

When he won't let me go, I politely ask. Saying "Let me go."

When he stumbles, he shakes his head and makes an attempt to approach. I unconsciously grasp his arm to prevent him from falling.

You took that disgusting piece of garbage with you, right? I furrow my brow in his direction as his voice becomes a little louder.

Shitty bit of garbage? Romeo's description is nothing like this, and I also get more animated. I can't believe we're having the same disagreements we had before.

"Really? It seems that you are unaware of my concerns. When I went seeking for you, you had already departed without telling me where you were going.

Do I seem childlike to you, Damien? I cut him off, taking a close look at him while releasing go of his shoulder.

I believe that getting him a new room for himself is the wisest course of action right now. That will be the best course of action as I don't want to get into any conflicts.

I was concerned. What even do you think of me? Heartless? Do you really believe I am heartless and have no right to care about or worry about you? His hands leave my waist as he yells. He stumbles but immediately rests against the desk. "Do you really think that about me? Someone without a heart or someone who is too frigid to love? For crying out loud, why won't I be concerned about you? You are my spouse.

I want to correct him and say that I am not his wife but I know it won't be required since we are only pretending to be a couple.

He appears different tonight, and it makes me wonder why.

I don't think Damien is as broken-looking as he was the night he hurt himself; instead, he seems pitiful.

He suddenly turns around, loses his balance, and collapses to the ground. I run at him. What's wrong with you, Damien?

"Let me just be!" He roughly takes my hand away. What more do you need from me after I apologized to you this morning? I care about you even when I shouldn't, but do you notice all of my efforts? Do you need anything more from me? Is that rabbit guy superior to me? Does he love you as much as I do? Does he even give you the same look that I do? Does he hold you in the same regard I do? What the f--- are you doing wrong?

Until I discover he is acting in this way while intoxicated, my mouth is gaping.

Nothing he says is even somewhat accurate. I don't recall ever telling him or anybody else that Jayden values me so highly or that he cares for me. All I know is that we work together as a team and that our contract requires that he take care of me. Then what in the world is he talking about?

I get up and shake my head. "This is not a discussion I'm having with you. When you're sober, our conversation will go better.

I quickly see him rising from the ground and blocking my path. I am not intoxicated.

His hands eventually reach my face. "Are you blind? Please, God, I am not intoxicated. You shouldn't date that guy.

I gently giggle while keeping his hands on me. "He's not right for me?" He bows. So, who is it? You?" I giggle even harder as he nods. Damien, let me go.

Lisa, no, Until you comprehend me, I won't let you go.

"Do you understand? How am I supposed to when you're not?

He interrupts me mid-"I want you," leaving my jaw hanging wide. My lower lips are caressed by his thumb. He says it again, "I want you." "I'm losing my mind. I've never had this feeling before, and it fucking annoys the hell out of me. I traveled great distances only to see you. How do you interpret that?

My countenance becomes skeptical, and I shut my lips. I believe that he came here for a business meeting.

I brought him here, right? How is it even conceivable that? He previously told me he was too busy to spend time with me in Verona, but now he claims he is there as a result of me.

Unbelievable.

All of them are not qualities that apply to the Damien I know. The Damien I know is incapable of confessing his feelings to a lady. He can't possibly like a lady. He isn't capable of doing any of this, and I'm certain the booze is to blame.

How in the world did he get the alcohol? I've never seen him consume alcohol before.

Before I can release his hands, he leans in closer, causing my breathing to pause and my heartbeat to increase by two times.

Until I feel his lips on mine, I keep questioning if this is all real. While he waits for my approval to continue, his gentle lips remain on mine for some time.

I want this as much as I want to yell at him and break free of his grip. I want these lips to stay on my face as long as possible.

After a time, he grabs hold of my waist and pulls me into his front as my hands fly to his head and hold it firmly in place as I disregard all common sense and throw prudence to the wind.

His kiss is gradual, delicate, and gentle up until I start to bite his lower lips and a growl comes out of his mouth.

He raises me abruptly, and the kiss becomes more passionate. It's no longer sluggish, and I'm making an effort to keep up with him.

His stumble causes me to nearly leap to the ground out of fear that I will fall, but he quickly regains his balance and keeps his hands on my lips, sparking the fire and moisture in me while doing so.

He spanks me and squeezes my buttocks when his hand comes to rest there. Unconsciously, I let out a sigh of ecstasy as my mouth slips from his lips.

He bites me gently and takes my lips once again, savoring every inch of my mouth as he does so. He then dips his hands inside my dress and touches my bare thighs.

He glides slowly, and in an instant, I'm tumbling till my back strikes the bed with his lips still in mine.

My body's delicate organs are all awake and yearning for something I've never had.

Before his lips return to their original position, which is on mine, he breaks off the kiss and takes a breath. I do the same to catch my breath.

The amount of ecstatic pleasure I am experiencing while kissing the man I got married to two months ago, a man I have always imagined having my first time with, a man I have always dreamt of pleasuring and finding a smile creeps to his face in pleasure, leaves my legs shaking like jelly.

When I realize that this isn't meant to be occurring, a sob almost immediately attempts to escape my lips. The realization of what is occurring hits me hard, leaving me wanting more and with pangs of sadness piercing my heart at the hope that Damien would do the same and leave me hanging.

When I realize that alcohol is the only possible cause of this, my heart falls even more. This is against our pact, and Damien will most doubt return to his icy self in the morning.

With all of the remaining bravery I have, I end the kiss on my own.

This is wrong. I cannot give up both my freedom for a year and my virginity.

He tenderly says my name, making me feel like the most important woman in his life even though I am not, with desire and desperation in his eyes.

"Lisa."

As I think about Helena, I shout out, "Damien," with tears threatening to fall from my eyes. He loves her and not me. "This is wrong. We are in violation of our contract.

As he keeps mute, his expression is emotionless. I believe I have succeeded in getting his attention, and he will likely wake up shortly, leaving me dripping with desire.

He shakes his head instead.

"I f***ing don't care!" He lets forth a loud snarl.

I scream out in relief and pleasure as he smashes his lips to mine once again, this time more brutally, while his hands struggle valiantly with my clothing to make touch with my most delicate spot.