Endless Love by Bianca Borell
Chapter Eighteen
BRIA
My eyes flutter open, and I peer outside where endless green and rows of trees greet me. We’re outside London. I shoot upright in the passenger seat. I should have listened to my instincts because there’s no stopping Damien from taking care of me. Although I’m thankful for his caring way, not so much when I glance at my phone and have only half an hour until everybody arrives.
I force myself not to yell at him. His eyes soften at the sight of my still sleepy figure, warming me from within and my anger diffuses.
“Don’t be mad at me. I’m on the way back. I won’t apologize though, my number one priority is you and your well-being. Everyone else can wait.” He caresses my cheek.
“Don’t you dare look at me with that intense, penetrating look that always makes me forget why I want to yell at you.” He chuckles and leans over the middle console and steals a kiss.
“I make you forget, ha?”
This is what he took from my words. I bite the inside of my cheek, suppressing a smile.
He clasps my hand in his and kisses each finger down to my palm. Why was I angry to begin with? I’m lost in the feeling of him. I don’t care if we are late anymore. He practices some kind of magic and keeps it from me. Selfish man.
***
In the shower, the hot water sprays down my skin. I tilt my head to the bathroom door to catch a cheerful Damien sway inside. He did something. The mischief is written all over his face. This is Damien, and if he wants something, he will get it one way or another, and the look I witness on him shows he wants me.
“Get out, I mean it.” I gesture toward the door, and he pouts.
“But I miss you.”
“No, you just want to get inside my panties,” I counter and place my hands on my waist, and the hunger in his eyes intensifies as he fixates them on my naked skin.
“But you have none on.”
“Baby, they’ll be here any minute, and I’m far, far from ready,” I say, trying to reason with him. Instead, hope spreads in those steel-blue eyes as he grins.
“Not necessarily.”
“Damien, what did you do?” I inquire while his lips turn into a lopsided grin.
“They’ll be here in an hour, so everyone gets what they want.”
“You’re not for real.” His smirk never falters while he sizes me up.
I find it both hilarious and ludicrous as I stare at him, trying my best to remain serious as he blinks at me expectantly. The look in his eyes, a mix of hope and lust undoes me, and I give in.
“Make it quick.” He yanks his shirt off and tugs at his jeans and rushes inside the shower.
He lifts me, and there’s no sweet, uncertain Damien left, only a demanding, feverish one.
He cradles my face, his eyes light with adoration as he stills inside me, sending sparks of love throughout my body and kisses me. I’m happy but mostly still high on him.
I lock my hands around his neck because I am not ready to let the moment fly by.
“I take it you’re not mad at me for ambushing you?” he questions, his eyes seeking mine, and I roll my eyes at him.
“Yes, right, like I could think after that mind-blowing orgasm I had. At least you admit it.”
“Baby, it’s not my fault I’m addicted,” he confesses and places a kiss on the valley of my shoulder.
“Now go. I have to get ready and take another shower.” It’s those eyes turning to soft I catch on me, I can’t say no to, but I remain stoic. “No, don’t even think about joining me. Get in the other shower and stay away from me for the next hour.”
With a satisfied grin as he got what he wished for, he kisses my forehead and backtracks.
I take my time straightening my hair and attempting dramatic, smoky-eye makeup. I am more than pleased with the result, feeling sexy and confident. My reflection speaks of a woman who knows what she wants and does not apologize for taking it.
Stepping out of the bathroom, Damien is on the phone, taking care of the reservation. Meanwhile, I pick a one-sleeved, emerald green, sparkly dress. It is outrageously short, only a few inches below my bottom. I can’t wait to see his reaction. Heavy steps approach and halt. My heart thumps as I sense him behind me.
I turn around, and before me stands Damien with an open mouth, blinking. I seldom have witnessed him mute, and my self-confidence reaches another peak. I put on a show for him as I spin, and he remains speechless. He clasps his hands behind his neck, his arms flexing, and his eyes blaze with fire.
“Like what you see?” I ask, biting down on my lower lip, and his eyes travel my body from head to toe.
“Do you plan to visit me in prison because I might kill every man who dares to even look at you. It will be hard not to look at you. Is that even a dress?”
His voice drops low, and heat and goose bumps erupt all over my skin.
“Yes, it’s a dress.”
“If you say so, but you look fucking amazing, baby. You’re giving me the hardest hard-on known to mankind.”
He wraps me in his arms and sucks the air out of me as I let his intoxicating scent wash over me. His bare chest emanates a heat that goes right to my core.
“I’ll make it better when we’re back home.”
“You can bet on that.” He wiggles his eyebrows at me, and I bite the inside of my cheek.
“You’re insatiable.”
“Always, when it comes to you.”
“Forever only me.”
He grabs my waist, pins me to his chest, and slams his lips against mine. When we break the kiss, panting, I follow him as he picks a black, fitted shirt from his wardrobe and puts it on. I love black on him. It suits his powerful appearance and gives him an enigmatic look, full of intensity as his eyes appear even more prominent now.
He finishes dressing, choosing dark, slim-fitted slacks, in which his sexy and defined backside puts on a show. I have to stop gawking at him because it would lead us straight to bed for another round. Yep, we are sex-crazed. As our excuse, we have years to make up for.
We hear the ring on the intercom.
“Right on time.”
I wait at the door and let them in as laughter echoes through the walls. Sophia steps in first and hugs me, appreciation transforming her soft features.
“You look hot. I’m sure my brother will take the definition of grumpiness to another level. I might believe you like to torment him.”
“I heard you, Soph,” he grumbles while she giggles.
“It’s not necessarily a secret.”
We exchange a secretive smile as Alex bends and kisses me on my cheeks.
“You look beautiful.”
Sophia looks gorgeous in a short, black bodycon dress with a V-neckline and V-back straps, and Alex looks stunning in a casual black jacket and slacks and a dark blue shirt. They match, and I swoon inside about how cute they are. My attention shifts to my brother and his slicked back hair, baby-blue shirt and dark blue chinos. They all look more than fine. The men shake hands and pop the first bottle of champagne. Sophia and I are on our way to the couch when the intercom rings again.
“Are we expecting someone else?” asks Sophia, curiosity ringing in her voice.
“Chloe.”
“Ah, okay. I’ll keep the men company and try to steal a glass for you too.”
“I would truly appreciate it, Soph.”
“What are friends for?”
I adore her. She is the embodiment of fearlessness, and she has such a beautiful soul—kind and loyal. I smile, gratitude swelling in my heart because loyalty runs deep in the du Sky family.
I open the door, and a woman who could put any supermodel in a corner appears. She is one too. She carries herself with strength and high shoulders, looking spectacular in a plunging neckline, metallic black jumpsuit. Her emerald eyes, mirroring my dress, find me, and I get the impression she is a woman who seeks approval. There is no jealousy, and no threat from either side, just two women trying to gain a connection due to a man they both love.
“Hello, Chloe. Come inside, please.”
My smile reaches my cheeks, complementing my inviting tone. She approaches me almost shyly, and when her slim arms take me in an embrace, I let this gesture be the first one to testify to the beginning of a friendship.
“Thank you for inviting me.”
“I didn’t know we would celebrate tonight too. I assumed you’d meet Damien tomorrow, and he’d invite you tomorrow night. But I’m glad we get to spend more time together.”
“I would like that.”
“As his wedding witness, we should be more like friends than odd acquaintances.”
I can’t believe I said that, and my hand flies to my mouth. I forgot Damien intended to ask her tomorrow as a surprise. Her face transforms into shock and tears gather in her eyes.
“I’m so sorry I spoiled it.”
“Actually, I am glad for the heads-up.”
It is strange how nice it can be when you don’t let negativity and fear shadow such a beautiful moment.
“Ladies, I’m sure you were talking about me. What did I do this time?”
He smirks, embracing me from behind, and rests his chin on my shoulder. I am in love with his cockiness as with everything else.
“Baby, you might as well just ask Chloe now because it slipped out of my mouth. I’m sorry.”
He lifts his face and kisses the side of my head.
“It’s okay, baby, you did me a favor. She hates being put on the spot, but she wouldn’t throw a tantrum with you.”
He chuckles like he won some kind of battle as Chloe pushes at his shoulder playfully.
“Still a jerk.”
“I know you missed me.”
Their closeness warms me. It reminds me of what Alex and I have, maybe not as deep, but it’s there. Two souls who went through life-changing processes and had the other as support.
We reach the others, hand-in-hand, when tension sneaks around us. I search for the source of it, and my eyes stop at my brother, his normally stoic face crumbling in some unknown emotion. It’s hard to define what he battles inside because he always appears in control. He stares at Chloe, like in one moment he wants to punish her and the other to devour her. Everyone holds their breath as my brother and Chloe fight a battle of wills. Gone is the almost timid and sweet persona. She transforms into something icy, ready to deep freeze my brother. The only one who finds it entertaining is Alex as he fights to suppress a grin.
“It seems like you two know each other well?”
They both snarl their answer at the same time.
“Unfortunately.” My brother’s nostrils flare, and he adds, “I need something stronger.” He turns, and Chloe pokes his back. He eyes her over his shoulder, her voice turns to saccharine, no doubt letting out that she’d rather punch him.
“Come back with two glasses. The night will be long.”
Whatever is going on runs deep. Only lovers with unfinished business or suppressed feelings can be consumed by such a potent mix of hatred, lust, remorse, and a longing for something one wants to escape.
“What just happened?” says Alex, and Chloe extends her hand.
“Hi, sorry for the drama. I’m Chloe. What I mean is nice to meet you officially as I know who you are.”
“Alex, yes, sounds familiar.”
Not even Alex trying to subdue the tension works. The nagging question is what happened between those and when? She has been a constant in Damien’s life. I am sure they had to cross paths from time to time, but I can’t shake the feeling there’s more. Damien eyes her, trying to recall a memory. I know he has his answer the moment his face clears, and he looks at her with sympathy and genuine affection. Whatever it is, it has to be personal. Chloe remains silent, raising more questions.
My brother reappears with a Macallan bottle, and like they are in a challenge, he fills their glasses, and they drink it in one swift movement. The pain consumes them both, but they are too stubborn to acknowledge it. It would only need a fizzle for fireworks to blast the way they stare at each other.
“Let’s go before they drink my entire collection,” urges Damien. Even though it’s supposed to break the tension, no one laughs. With these two in the same room, it won’t last long until they explode. Yes, one can hide, or try to hide, but the heart is stubborn and impulsive when it comes to love.
