That everything was fine and nothing was wrong, nothing at all.
Yeah, that’ll work out just fine.
The thought was snide so I ignored it, smiling at Thea yet again, conscious of just how much of a mask it was. ‘Of course I am,’ I said blithely. ‘I can’t fucking wait.’
She didn’t say anything, but then she didn’t have to. I could see the knowledge in her dark eyes reflected back at me.
She knew I was lying as much as I did.
‘You want another drink?’ I changed the subject without any grace at all, shifting her so I could move. ‘Our dinner will be here soon.’
Thea caught my hand, her fingers threading through mine as I got up, stopping me. Her expression was open and I could see the concern in her eyes. ‘I know it’s weird to say, since we haven’t known each other long. But...you can trust me, okay?’
That hit me like a damned bullet right in the centre of my chest and I didn’t know why. Trust her with what? With my past? With my memories?
Either way, I didn’t want to ask, because I didn’t want to know. I wasn’t going to tell her anything more, that was for certain.
I smiled again, even though I knew she wasn’t fooled, then raised our joined hands and kissed the back of hers. ‘Of course. Wait here; I won’t be long.’
I let her go and went inside, my heart beating like a fucking drum, and for a second I just stood in the living area, the tinted windows giving me some protection from Thea’s knowing black eyes.
She was still looking towards where I stood, still looking concerned.
You’re letting her get to you.
Was I? Shit, if I felt this way after only one conversation, then yes, I definitely was. And it had to stop. Both for her sake and mine.
My phone vibrated suddenly in my pocket and I reached down, pulling it out to check the screen.
Morgan.
She was pretty much the last person I wanted to speak to right now, but I could never deny her anything, so I hit the answer button.
‘Hey, kiddo,’ I said as if nothing was wrong and never had been. ‘What’s the news?’
‘The news is that you’re still expected in London in two days.’ That was Morgan. Cool and calm and blunt as a brick to the head. ‘I need to know you’ll be there.’
I closed my eyes, gritting my teeth. ‘Of course I’m going to be there. Are you calling to remind me? Because you know you don’t have to do that.’
‘No. I’m calling you because I’ve decided on another change for the launch party.’
I prayed for strength. Having to go to London was already bad enough; what the hell was Morgan going to ask me to do now? ‘Anything, kiddo.’ I tried to make my voice easy and relaxed. ‘Just name it.’
Morgan wasn’t fooled. ‘Don’t bother pretending you’re okay with this, Damian,’ she said bluntly. ‘I know you’re not. And, for the record, I’m not either. But you boys wanted to start up this non-profit and so it’s going to require some work. Image is everything in the charity business, understand?’
I sighed. ‘What do you want, then?’
‘You need to bring a date.’
‘A date?’ I repeated blankly.
‘Yes. And not one of your usual models.’
‘Hey, I date scientists too; don’t be sexist.’
‘You know what I mean.’ Morgan’s voice was cool. ‘This isn’t one of your parties and it can’t be some random pick-up or one-night stand.’
Shit. That was my sister. She always asked the impossible.
‘That makes for a really short list,’ I said.
‘That’s not my problem. Find someone. I’m already going with Ulysses and Everett’s bringing Freya. You need to—’
‘Wait, what?’ I interrupted, frowning. ‘You’re going as Ulysses’s date?’
‘Bring someone who’s going to impress potential sponsors,’ Morgan said, completely ignoring me. ‘Because I’m sorry to have to say it but you’re not enough to impress them on your own, Damian.’
‘But I—’
‘See you in two days.’
I didn’t have time to protest. Morgan disconnected the call.
Thea
LIGHT FELL ACROSS my face and I groaned, turning over and burrowing my face into the soft pillow. My body felt heavy, my muscles aching along with other, more sensitive parts of me. It was a delightfully sensual feeling.
Finally I stretched and cracked open an eye, pleased to find that I hadn’t materialised in my crappy Mongkok apartment and that apparently I was still in heaven.
The sun was coming through the huge windows of Damian’s large, roomy bedroom, lighting up the dark walls and the polished dark wood covering the floor. A thick black rug covered the middle of the room, the huge white bed I was lying in a pale contrast. There was a soft-looking modular sofa near the bed, covered in dark, silvery velvet. The whole effect was one of richness and decadence, and I loved it.
I rolled over, luxuriating in Damian’s expensive sheets and soft mattress.
You need to go tonight. Two days, remember?
A tight feeling sat behind my breastbone, as if a part of me felt sad at the thought. Which was stupid. This was a fling, a fantasy. A wonderful holiday in a luxurious setting with a sexy man.
I was Cinderella and when the clock struck midnight I’d be going back to my place beside the fire. Or, rather, back to my life and the business Mr Chen had left for me. And that wasn’t bad. It was a living and it was better than being on the streets, right?
Ignoring the sudden doubt, I shoved back the sheets and slipped out of bed, pausing to grab Damian’s grey T-shirt from where it lay on the floor and pull it on over my head.
Then I went in search of him, heading down the hallway to the living area, following the sound of his rich, deep voice.
He was standing near the windows, on the phone yet again. Dressed only in a pair of worn jeans, the morning light fell over the contours of his broad shoulders and muscled chest, making the coloured ink of his tattoos stand out. As I watched, he ran a hand through his black hair, lifting it into soft inky spikes. The sun glinted off the ring in his eyebrow and turned his eyes molten, gleaming silver from underneath his black lashes, and
