Damien (Slater Brothers #5)(98)

The lace scratched against my skin, and the shorts fit so snug, I had to resist the urge to pull them down. Apparently, being plastered to each bum cheek was exactly what they were designed to do. Or at least that was what Bronagh said when I called her on FaceTime and asked since she gifted me the stupid outfit.

My best friend was so excited that I had been seducing Damien. Unsurprisingly, he had told them what I had been doing over the past few days, and they were all proud of me for attempting to seduce Damien, knowing how much courage it took me to do it. Granted, I didn’t do it very well, but it was the thought that counted.

I liked to think so, anyway.

I examined myself from head to toe and bounced a little on my heels with what I saw. I felt sexy, and I knew this would drive my man wild. I wanted caveman Damien, and this lace pyjama set was going to get me him … I just needed to keep my courage and not chicken out. I had fled from Ryder and Branna’s house two hours ago, and I had been waiting for Damien to arrive as he had promised to do. I was waiting for my buzzer to sound so I could let him into the building, but it seemed he was purposely keeping me waiting. It was driving me crazy, which was most likely what he wanted.

I busied myself with playing with Barbara and her toy mice that I dragged along behind me on a long string. I couldn’t believe how much bigger she was; I only had her a couple of weeks, but she was growing steady and fattening up big time. She had declared herself as ruler of the apartment, and that Damien and I were her people. We all accepted this happily.

When Barbara had enough of me, I went into my office and start to paint without changing my clothes. I rolled my eyes when some splashed on my skin, but before I had time to clean myself up I thought I heard laughter from the hallway outside of my apartment. I quickly put Barbara in the kitchen and closed the door behind her before I scurried over to the front door where I looked out of my peephole. I couldn’t see a thing, just blackness.

“What the hell?” I said aloud. “What’s wrong with—”

“Nothing is wrong with it, baby, I just have my hand over it so you can’t see me.”

I screeched when Damien spoke, then screeched some more when the lock on my door turned by itself, and the door opened. I jumped back, placed my hands on my chest, and stared at Damien when he stepped into my apartment with my lips parted.

“You frightened the life outta me, Damien.”

His smug grin vanished the second his eyes landed on me.

“Fuck.”

I placed my hands on my hips. “Where did you get a key from?”

Damien’s eyes trailed over me slowly.

“I got a second one cut last week,” he answered. “You said you were going to get one cut, but you never did, so I did it for you.”

I blinked. “And you just assumed the key was for you? Maybe it was gonna be a spare.”

Damien’s eyes locked on mine, and he grinned.

“Do you want it back?”

I hesitated. “No.”

“Good.” Damien licked his lips. “I didn’t want to give it back.”

Clearly.

“What are you wearing?”

I was reminded of my revealing outfit.

“Bronagh bought it for me ages ago,” I said with a little curtsey. “It’s matchin’ pyjamas.”

“Pyjamas?” Damien repeated on a cough. “Those are pyjamas?”

“Yup.”

Damien closed the door.

“Are you wearing them for me?”

I felt my cheeks burn. “Yes.”

His eyes darkened. “Because of what I said earlier?”

“Yes.”

He pocketed his keys and advanced towards me.

“Is this what you want?” he asked, gripping my waist and pulling my body against his. “You want us to be together?”

“In every way imaginable.”

Damien leaned his head down and brushed his lips against mine.

“We’ve only been dating a few weeks,” he whispered. “We can still go slow if you wan—”

“I thought you said the game I started was over.”

“Oh, baby, it is. I’m just given you an out if you really want one.”

“I don’t,” I answered. “When we got together, you said we weren’t a regular couple just startin’ out, and you were right. I don’t care if it’s too fast for other people, it feels perfectly timed to me. I’ve never been happier than I have been these past few weeks. You’ve been me rock with me ma, the voice of reason to help me mend things with me da, you helped me get me arse in gear to hire Morgan so me business could be handled, and you’ve taken care of me and kept me safe every single night since we became partners. I want you more than me next breath, Damien.”

“Alannah,” he murmured. “Baby.”

“You’ve also gone out of your way to buy and name a star after me,” I said with a teasing grin. “You’d be gettin’ some for that alone.”

Damien’s lips twitched. “In that case, my genius plan worked.”

I laughed. “Oh, it most definitely did … snowflake.”

His eyes dropped to my chest, and he swallowed.

“I can see your nipples.”

“Well, would you look at that, you can.”