Page 68 of Remembering Passion

I lifted my palms to his cheeks. “I’m sorry about your dad. I’m here if you want to talk.”

Damien shook his head. “I’d rather concentrate on Sinclair and you.”

“Me?”

“You make me smile, Ella.”

I tilted my head. “I’m sorry I didn’t wear the outfit. I was upset with your demands preceded by no other communication.” Lifting myself to my toes, I kissed his cheek. “I’ll change now.”

He reached for my cheeks and kissed my forehead. “I’m staying until you’re done.”

“Fine, but multitasking will have to wait.” I undid the zipper at the side of my skirt and let it fall to the floor.

The color of Damien’s eyes darkened as they focused on my bra and panties. “You have your own room, Ms. Crystal, but tonight, I’m going to be the one to remove those panties.”

A rebuttal was on the tip of my tongue. However, as I took in his stare and I recognized the sadness he was hiding, I knew that if given the chance, I would want to spend time with Damien, reminding him that he wasn’t alone.

Gabriella

“Van sent his driver to meet us at the airport,” Damien said, sitting across from me as the plane came to a landing, gliding along the tarmac.

Beyond the small windows, the sun shone over the chilly northern Wisconsin scenery. Whitecaps on Chequamegon Bay glistened, and the deciduous trees swayed in a breeze, their limbs covered with immature leaves. Such as an oasis in a sea of gray, color also dotted the landscape. Trees and bushes contrasted the pale blue sky with their vibrant flowers, species that had bloomed a month ago in Indianapolis. With a shiver, I looked down at the clothes I was now wearing and smiled. “The blazer was a good idea. It looks cooler up here than it was in Indy.”

Damien nodded and lowered his voice. “If your nipples get hard, I’m going to tell myself it’s because of me.”

“Inappropriate.” A smile curled my lips. “If they do, you won’t be able to see because of the blazer.”

“I’ll know.”

“How?” I asked, lifting my chin.

“Oh, Ella, I know you. I see the signs, the way your cheeks take on a pink hue, your thighs clench, and you cross your arms over your sensational breasts.”

I shook my head, wondering if the warmth in my cheeks was alerting Damien of his ability to get to me. Pressing my lips together, I decided against a rebuttal, knowing that if I said more, so would he.

A few moments later the plane came to a stop and Angie reappeared. “I’ll be right out with your luggage, Ms. Crystal and Mr. Sinclair.”

Before I could comment, she was gone. I leaned my head back against the seat and sighed.

“Dollar for your thoughts,” Damien said.

Dollar?

“Inflation is real.”

Damien didn’t speak, yet the way he was looking at me bid a response.

“When you and I were together…when I worked for Sinclair, somewhere along the line it became second nature to have other people do my bidding. I wasn’t raised that way. I’m capable of getting my own suitcase. I didn’t realize how accustomed to the servitude I’d become until I left you.” I sat forward. “There is something rewarding in the ability to care for oneself—you should try it.”

The way his square jaw clenched, I believed Damien was truly thinking about my comment. Finally, he spoke, “I’ll only disagree with you on the characterization of servitude. The people who work for me are paid employees, well paid. If they didn’t want to do the duties of the job, they have complete freedom to walk away. As for the rewarding aspect, you’re right. There are many things I prefer to do for myself. Instead of thinking of the assistance of others as relinquishing your self-care, try to think of it as improving your ability, thus enhancing your self-care. When we step off this plane, we will first be taken to the hotel. During the next hour we will go to Donovan’s office where you will meet Julia. Later in the day, more members of the coalition will arrive. Your thoughts should be on those meetings.” He nodded toward my satchel. “The information about the coalition members you’ve gleaned from public sources and any tidbits I’ve shared. Having Angie retrieve your luggage simply allows you to concentrate on what’s important.”

“Is there more I should know?” I asked, fully concentrating on the upcoming meetings. “About the members of the coalition?”

Damien nodded.

“I’m all ears.”

“Be yourself with the Shermans. They’re sincerely great people. Julia connected the various members of the coalition based on our similar size, geographic location, and belief that we were noncompetitive. If I had been the one to set up this alliance, I would have chosen a few different members.”

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