Part 23

When Mia got a call from her mother that she's in New York, her body sagged in relief. She couldn't have asked for her arrival at a better time. They managed to settle for a quick lunch as her mother was only staying for a day. After lunch, she had to meet another friend of hers.

Precisely at one in the afternoon, Mia abruptly stood in the restaurant's doorway, staring wordlessly at the person in front of her. The sight sent a jolt of sadness through her. Her boss was sitting with a woman, not just any woman, the same one he was papped with.

Before she knew it, her eyes stung. The assistant tried to hold onto the sob, threatening to break down any time. Her body hunched over as she gripped the doorframe to prevent from tipping over completely. Tremors wracked her fragile limbs, lungs seeming to shrink with every fluttery breath. This wasn't the first time Damon made her want to scream her lungs out. From time to time, she gave him that kind of power, but it stopped now.

Swallowing the lump in her throat, she harshly sucked a breath and walked to her table. Mia didn't even bother to spare another glance in their direction.

Her mother, Emma stood up and threw arms around her, choking on a breath. Mia melted in her arms, inhaling the smell of cream and clothes softener while shedding a tear or two. She missed her so much.

"I missed you mom."

"Oh, honey, I missed you too."

Mia pulled back, scratching at her arm. "Sorry I didn't get you anything. You called so late."

Her mother rolled her eyes. "You don't need to get me anything."

"I wanted to."

"I would not have accepted it," Emma said, her tone stubborn. "We have a deal, Mia. You can't just go on spending money like a spoiled diva."

The assistant raised her brow and waited for a second, letting those words settle, before she drawled, "Gee, thanks, mom. You sure are turning this special"

Emma instantly shook her head. "Sorry honey. I didn't mean it like that" She had that shock written all over her face, tone instantly apologetic as she reached out to touch Mia's shoulder. "I just know that you are saving up for that penthouse from years."

Mia blushed. Oh, she remembered. It's just something Mia told her in passing.

"Mom, I make enough money now. Don't worry about it."

Emma let her hand fall away, the warmth of her palm still lingering. "Oh, that's wonderful. Still, I don't want you to feel like you owe me."

"But I do."

"You don't," She insisted.

With a sigh, Mia shook her head. "Can we agree to disagree on that one?"

For a moment, it looked as if her mother might argue further, chin high and gaze focused on Mia. Instead, she dropped it, and they both started to scan the menu for a while.

Her mother cleared her throat, blinking at her daughter. "Uhh...Mia, are you seeing someone?"

***

When she returned to her place at precisely five in the evening, she noticed Damon's car parked exactly opposite her apartment building. Not only that, but he's coming her way, fumbling with the tangled cords of his earbuds with a frown on his face.

Technically she could get in the car and drive away before he even got closer to her. For some reason Mia was rooted to the ground, heart rate picking up as the distance between them grew smaller and smaller. She's helpless but to stand there and track Damon as he strode confidently on the pavement.

It's weird to see him dressed in normal clothes after seeing him in nothing but formal wear. He's wearing a full grey tee, damp with sweat, like he's been running for a while and black joggers. Mia had to drag her eyes away from the distinct lines of his biceps, so visible in that tight tee.

She saw the exact moment Damons eyes met hers, his head lifting and body freezing. His steps falter for a moment before he gathered himself, clearly conflicted on whether to come over. He did take a few steps forward, though, and Mia saw the uncertainty in everyone.

"Mia" He breathed cautiously.

Everything that happened a few hours ago rushed back to her. The CEO was sitting with that attractive woman, laughing about something, probably how stupid Mia was to fall for his traps.

"What the fuck do you want?" She barked at him, her stomach clenching.

Running his hands through his hair, he looked around, suddenly embarrassed. Good. She didn't care. There was no way Mia was letting him talk his way out of it again.

"I wanted to talk to you. I know you are angry about that dinner."

A bitter laugh escaped her lips. "Oh, angry doesn't even cover it! Besides, what is there to explain? You have made it clear that we are nothing!"

"I know you saw me with Lily in the restaurant."

Colour drained her face. Well, that's new. She wasn't aware that he noticed her. Why did that matter anyway? Crossing her arms against her chest, the assistant glared at him.

"And? What do you want me to say to that?"

Damon let out a breath. "Maybe we should discuss this inside your apartment."

Mia looked around and noticed that a lot of them were staring at her. It wouldn't matter to her boss because he didn't live there. The last thing she wanted was to air her dirty laundry in public. Nodding, she asked him to follow her.

Once they were inside, the CEO turned to her. "It's not what you think. She's my friend. That's it."

"Do you want me to believe that?"

"It's not that hard to believe," Damon growled, rubbing at his temple. "Her company is in some sort of trouble, and that's why she called me. That's all. Nothing is going on between us."

"I don't care" She lied.

Before she knew Damon crowded her. Mia suddenly felt like she was trapped, and there was not enough oxygen in the living room. His scent surrounded her, making her eyes roll back for just a second. She needed to keep distance between them before things escalated again.

"Then why are you angry with me?" His lips quirked in an amused grin.

"Does it matter?"

"It does to me."

"Well, then you should have said something that night" Mia bit back.

Red hot fury coursed in her veins as she thought more about that night and the way he left. He didn't even have the courtesy to apologise. Mia noticed a frown on his face as he leaned forward.

"I know."

"Is that your way of apologising?"

"Yes," He breathed. "Does this mean you'll stop seeing Jake?"

Mia licked her lips as she looked up at him. "I was never planning on dating him."

The CEO groaned. "I want to kiss you."

"What's stopping you then?"

Damon crushed their lips together, threading his hand through her hair, and pulling back tightly. The assistant caught the gratified smirk on his lips before he dipped his head and sucked against the bottom lip. The sigh that followed sounded like relief. Like the longing of some kind. Mia let her head fall back, already a shivering mess from the kisses and nibbles.

The CEO framed her face with his hands, using his thumbs against the soft skin of her chin to open her mouth wider. She let him have it. Let him roll their lips around in a hauntingly familiar pace. Let him suck the heavenly moans right off the back of her tongue.

Mia squirmed all the while, her knees wobbling as the ache in her belly got tighter. The assistant trembled; once he's braced over her, seemingly huge, compared to her frame, there is no air.

The CEO eased her thighs apart like he has the right to, fitting his large body between them as her back bowed again, her nipples tight and begging for attention. Mia's breaths quickened, sweat making her clothes stick to her body.

"Fuck me," She begged, blinking her eyes at him.

Instead, he lifted, taking the shirt off her back with him.

"Shush."

"Fuck me now, or I'll leave and find someone—"

"No," He snapped. "You're not leaving again. Not until I'm done with you."

Mia's eyes went soft around the edges, and her swollen lips did the same.

Without another word, Damon rid himself of his tee, the cotton material gently hitting the floor. He brought her hands up over her head and laced them together against the walls. They fit so nicely—skin against skin.

He kissed down her neck, nipping little bruises along the way as he reached the sensitive skin of her nipple. The CEO rubbed himself off slowly against her clothed thigh, applying too much pressure to allow her to do the same.

Mia couldn't believe that she surrendered to him again.

***