Page 82 of Remembering Passion

My core twisted at the memory of grasping the headboard.

The sheets fell to his hips as he stretched.

Rolling to my side, I met his gaze. “I’m not sorry.”

He encouraged me to move closer until I was against his side with his arm protectively around me. “Good.” He lifted my chin. “I’m not sorry either.” His smile faded. “I never should have let you leave, Ella. We were good together.”

I nodded. “We were good. I needed to leave. I needed to prove to myself that I could exist without you.”

“Is that what you want?”

Inhaling, I considered the question. “Maybe it’s wanted. Now I know I can.”

“You fucking did it.” His smile was back. “You not only existed, but you also flourished, grew, and succeeded.” He tilted his head. “You were a wonderful assistant—my best ever. Now, you’re more. I watched you last night talking to the members of the coalition. It was like watching you at the gala. Your confidence shows. It fucking radiates from you like a neon sign. You impressed them last night. I know today when we talk about the campaign, you will secure every person. Julia sold them on the idea. You will get them to sign on the dotted line.”

I moved until I was also sitting, feeling the ache of muscles I hadn’t felt in a long time.

Our first encounter last night wasn’t our only. We both woke one another for other rounds.

It wasn’t just sex.

What we accomplished throughout the night was the demolition of the walls we’d both constructed. Those walls were our protection—a fortress. I’d personally spent weeks and months laying each brick. Seeing one another again was the first attack, an arrow that chipped a bit of the mortar. Letting Damien in my room in Los Angeles was the first battalion, complete with military weapons. The last week of talking weakened what had been damaged. And last night was a total annihilation.

I heard the explosion of the dynamite, felt the rumble of the wrecking ball, and smelled the dust of destruction.

“You said we were going to talk last night about the members,” I reminded him.

Damien smirked. “It was my intention.” He reached for my hand, lifted it to his lips, and peppered my knuckles with warm kisses. “I was distracted.”

Leaving my hand in his, I asked, “What do you think I need to know before the meetings? I don’t want to disappoint you.”

“You could never disappoint me.”

“What about the Cades—Perry versus Body Kindness?”

“Reassure them and all the members that you will keep their information confidential.”

“I’m assuming you want me to sign something. An NDA?”

He nodded. “It would make everyone feel more at ease in sharing information.”

“I can do that.” I looked at the watch on my wrist. “It’s nearly seven.” A smile lifted my cheeks. “I should go back to my room and shower.”

“Or you could shower here.”

“What time are we supposed to be to Van’s office building?”

“I need to be there by nine.”

I tilted my head. “We aren’t going together?”

“The morning will be the business meeting.”

“I thought I could sit in on it and learn more about each company and the dynamics of the coalition.”

Damien thought for a moment. “Fuck, you’re signing the NDA so I don’t see an issue. I’ll send Julia a text to make sure she’s okay with you being there.”

“If not” —I shrugged— “I could spend the morning napping. You see, someone kept waking me last night.”

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