EMMA DAMIAN 11

E M M A

I closed my laptop with an angry groan as soon as I got off the phone with Damian.

That was the issue: I wasn't upset at him. I was irritated with myself for falling for the guy's charms. The more time I spent with him, the more memories from high school came flooding back, particularly moments when I'd been enraged for him only to have him talk his way back into my heart.

I let out another sigh as I hung my head back. I'd been so sure of my plan, which was to work all day, go out to dinner with him later, and travel back to Manila as quickly as possible, ready to put this bizarre weekend behind me.

Damian, of course, would not make things that simple.

A spa day, on the other hand, sounded fantastic. Wasn't he supposed to say it was only for me? I could unwind and have a massage, while he could do whatever he wanted.

I promptly swapped my T-shirt for a more form-fitting top after removing my big college sweatshirt. In the mirror, I undid my ponytail and let my hair flow down over my shoulders, knowing that wearing makeup would be a waste of time.

I grabbed my purse and phone and entered the elevator when I was ready. He was standing there with a solitary rose in his hand when the doors opened a few moments later.

Damian leaned against the wall across from the elevator, his white button-up and polished shoes looking effortlessly sharp. Our gazes locked, and if he was concerned that I was angry with him, he didn't show it.

"Are you ready for the most relaxing afternoon you've ever had?"

" He saunters over and hands me the rose after pushing himself off the wall.

"Did you really get a flower for me? " I asked.

He smiled. "I know you're not one for sentimentality, but there's a little flower store on the casino floor that I couldn't pass up."

I shook my head as I looked down at the rose. "I don't think they'll allow me take this into the spa," she says.

Damian withdrew it from my grasp with ease, my gaze lingering on the magnificent, blood-red bulb. "It'll be there for you when you return to the room." Now get over there and begin to unwind. I want you to be good and ready for the great night ahead of us."

He winked once more before stepping behind me, the elevator doors closing behind him as he entered, the devilish wink on his face the last thing I saw before they closed.

Well, anything.

I walked out of the spa hours later feeling so relaxed, supple, and rejuvenated that I thought I'd melt into a puddle on the way back to my hotel. My face was bright with a broad smile, and my feet appeared to barely touch the ground.

I still wanted to smack Damian in the face for what he did to me all those years ago, but the spa day had been so friggin nice that I was almost willing to put it all behind me.

I took my time walking around the casino floor, taking in the sights and noises. It was strange because I had never been fond of casinos. Bora's only draw has been the warm weather and sun. But, cliched as it may seem, I couldn't help but be swept up in the city's enchantment.

I decided to go to the Beach Club after checking my watch and finding that I was on time. I couldn't help but smile as I walked out of Caesar's Place, the sun on my face and the fountains ahead spraying up into the air.

There was something special about this island. Maybe it was just the lingering effects of the finest massage I'd ever experienced. My phone buzzed in my back pocket, sending a shiver down my spine at the prospect of it being Damian. It wasn't him, though; Hannah was on a Facetime call. I put my Air pods in my ears and answered the phone while holding it out in front of me.

“Hey! " she remarked, her voice as light as air. She was in her apartment, the white wall in stark contrast to the blue sky and majestic façade of Caesar's Palace on my side. "Wow...incredible." that's

I cast a sidelong glance at the hotel before returning my gaze to Hannah. "I know. It's a little flashy, but it's also rather fantastic. And Damian has been gorging himself."

"Wait, you're splurging? Like how? ”

"Because the plane was inadequate, he chartered a private plane. Then he moved up to a larger suite. Then he scheduled a four-hour spa day for me."

Hannah's brows were arched, and a clever smirk appeared on her lips. But she remained silent. She wasn't required to.

"And no, I haven't done anything with him, to answer your question." I'm not going to."

"Well, he's really going all out." Guys don't do things like that unless they have enormous plans."

I groaned and shook my head. "He stated something along those lines."

Her eyes glowed. "Are you really real?" Did you just come out and say it? ”

"Less or more." But there's no way I'm hooking up with him or doing whatever else he's expecting. The guy has his moments, but he can be a little too smug at times."

"What could possibly be so horrible about that?"

I hurriedly looked around to make sure no one was there.

"Are you serious?" You want me to have an open relationship with the man who crushed my heart? ”

"Hey, aren't you both adults?" And your heart isn't the organ that has to be involved in this." She laughed at herself.

"No way," I said emphatically, yet the thought of having sex with Damian kept creeping into my thoughts. And it was a real turn-on. "Even if I could keep my emotions out of it, I'm not sure I'd go through with it."

"What the hell, why not?" Consider this: you just got a fantastic massage, right? ”

“Right.”

"How do you feel right now?"

“Great. It's like though I'm walking on air."

"How long has it been since you had sex?"

“Hannah! " I took another quick look around, relieved to discover she was chatting to me through Air pods.

“Seriously! When was the last time you did that? ”

"I'm not going to answer that."

She chuckled as she moved around her apartment, which was spinning in the backdrop. "I'll take that because it's been a long." "Emma, you're probably on the edge of exploding from a build-up of sexual tension."

"Thank you very much, I can handle my sexual tension like an adult."

"However, I'm saying you don't have to." There's a cliché I didn't want to utter, but you're about to force it onto me. "A little bit about what happens in Bora..."

"Stays in Bora," I said, a grin on my face as I shook my head. "You do realize that was simply a marketing ploy, right?" Consider how many marriages have ended as a result of that one."

"Perhaps you're correct. However, it's perfect for you and Damian. You're off on a once-in-a-lifetime weekend, just you and him and the city. Let's hook up and get it out of your system. Then you can return to Manila, rejuvenated and ready to resume work."

I despised how strong her point was, yet I persisted in arguing. "He'd see it as him getting what he wanted if we hooked up. Damian managed to screw me over with no repercussions."

"What are your plans?" Keep a grudge to the end of time? Think about it: sleeping with him is a great way to get even with him."

"You need to explain your reasoning to me."

"You show him that you don't give a damn what he did." You're not sleeping with him because you still have feelings for him or because you succumbed to his attractions. You're sleeping with him because you're desperate to get laid; you're scratching an itch. He's simply a dick with a douchebag attached, as far as you're concerned! ”

That one made me laugh out loud. “Hannah! ”

She continued. "And what if he's confident he'll be able to win you back?" If that's the case, he's in for a rude awakening. He'll wake up alone in his bed tomorrow morning, while you sit at the table with your coffee and laptop, behaving as if nothing happened. You were a woman with wants and needs, and you relied on him to meet them. Imagine his expression when he attempts to behave as if there's something going on between you two and you're an ice-cold princess."

It was a tempting proposition, I had to admit. "It's true, but I still have to sleep with him."

"On your terms," she said, putting her phone in her hand and looking at the screen. “Shoot. I'm on the phone with the customer for the bar mitzvah next weekend. They must have phoned me ten times today. I'll speak with them, and you take care of the rest! ”

I shook my head and stuffed my phone back into my pocket as we said our goodbyes. The thought of hooking up with Damian came to me when I was alone with my thoughts.

I image the two of us, after a few beers, wrapping our arms around each other and stripping each other naked. Bora would be lovely and sparkling from the windows of the penthouse as we kissed all over the towering the beach at night. Then we'd be in bed together, his body strong and warm as he lay on top of me.

I closed my eyes and rested against the side of one of the tables outdoors, allowing myself to be taken away by the fantasy.

I could practically feel his thick, long cock going in and out of my body, ecstasy coursing through my veins. It was so easy to picture because we'd had sex so many times in high school. I imagined his as-hot-as-fuck face tightening as he got closer and closer to orgasm, luring me in with him.

The grand fountains of Caesar's Palace exploded, pouring jets of water into the air just as I pictured Damian and I racing over the finish line, as if the world knew precisely what was going on in my thoughts.

I was completely saturated. Not to mention a little ashamed of myself for allowing the fantasy to go so far. My heart skipped a beat when my phone buzzed again, and I saw a text from Damian. Part of me didn't want to open it because I was afraid he could already know what I was thinking about.

We need to get moving as quickly as possible. Do you believe you can get ready in one hour?

I can give it my all. Are you currently in the suite?

I'm out running errands. I'll return soon.

Errands? Wasn't it you who said this weekend was for relaxing?

Going to the tailor is very much relaxing for me ;) I'll see you later.

I could already picture him dressed to the nines and looking like a million bucks. I pushed everything out of my mind as I returned to the casino and dashed for the elevator.

As I entered the suite, the sun was setting, a creamy orange disappearing into the blue above. Although deserts might be harsh, they can also be beautiful. On my way to the bedroom, I undressed down to my underwear and tossed it on the chair next to the window.

I then took out my dark blue cocktail gown. I was scared that holding it in front of me would show too much, that it would send a message I didn't want to communicate.

Alternatively, what if Hannah is correct? What if this weekend is ideal for some NSA entertainment? I pushed the thought as quickly as it entered my mind. But maybe tonight we can put our rocky past behind us and simply be friends for one night? I grinned at myself in the mirror, delighted with my choice. I had a history with Damian, but it wasn't all awful. We could go out together and enjoy some fun, drinks, and entertainment before returning to normal the next morning.

All the anxiety and anticipation would vanish after a quick flight to Manila.It’d be perfect.

I put on my heels and gave myself a once-over in front of the mirror after slipping into my dress and zipping the back. And when I saw myself in the mirror, my eyes widened.

I was well-dressed. I didn't just look good; I also looked hot. I couldn't stop moving my hands along my hips, loving the dress's fit. My legs appeared long and voluptuous, and my cleavage appeared to be almost bursting out of the neckline.

I was confident in my appearance.

I was initially concerned about the dress's exposing nature. But then another scheme occurred to me, a method to inflict sweet vengeance on him.

We could definitely be friends tonight. But he'd have to spend the entire evening with me looking like a disgusting snack and a half, knowing that seeing me in this outfit would be the best he'd get. Sure, he'd flirt with me and try to seduce me into bed. But tonight, he'd tuck himself into bed with a pair of blue balls that would make his cock throb with rage.

Revenge has the potential to be quite delicious.

I concluded getting ready by applying a dark red lipstick and a black smokiness to my eyes. I was in great shape, and I was ready to have some fun while making Damian unhappy.

"Hey, I've returned!" His powerful voice could be heard throughout the suite.

I was ready with one final peek in the mirror. I walked into the suite's living area after opening the door.

I wasn't expecting what I saw.

Damian wasn't simply Damian; he was a dead ringer for James Bond. He was dressed in a gray suit with a fresh white shirt and a white and blue striped square in his pocket. His shoes were ink-black and gleaming, and his blue eyes were so piercing that I worried he could look right through me.

I wanted to shout because he looked so good. And when he smirked, his eyes running up and down my body, I knew it would take everything I had to keep out of his bed tonight.