Page 31 of Bound By Longing

“You made a mess,” Nadia says, pointing at the broken glass on the ground.

“You startled me.” It comes out sharper than I intend it to.

“I just needed a glass of water.” She’s so dainty as she takes a sip. I can see why Damien likes her. Nadia is a beautiful woman.

I told her to stay, remember? I have no one to blame for what I’m feeling right now than myself.

“Is there a broom?” I ask.

She points at the kitchen closet. I hurry to it, sidestepping the glass, and take out the broom and dustpan.

“I was getting a glass of water, too,” I explain as I start to sweep the glass up.

“I can see that.”

I can feel her looking at me as I clean, but I don’t dare look at her. I’ll only make myself look like an idiot somehow.

“You like Damien,” she states. It’s not a question.

I pause. “Of course not.”

“Then why are you in his house?”

“Why are you?” I fire back.

She smirks and leans against the counter, making her breasts look more pronounced. She oozes sex appeal. I can tell why Damien likes her. So, if that’s the case, why does he like me?

“Damien and I have an agreement. We meet up every so often and …” She trails off, letting me infer the rest.

I clear my throat. “Right.”

“You’re so innocent. It’s practically screaming at me.”

“What’s wrong with innocence?”

She shrugs. “Nothing. It’s just that a man like Damien needs more than innocence. He’ll eat you alive, little lamb.”

“I’m tougher than I look.”

“Are you?”

Her words make me flinch. She’s right. I’m not a tough girl. I’ve always had to rely on my sisters to save me.

But my sisters don’t even know where I am to save me this time. It’s up to me.

I return to sweeping up the glass. Maybe if I just ignore Nadia, she’ll leave me alone.

Apparently, that’s too much to ask for because she walks right up to me and takes the broom from my hands. “Let me offer you some advice.”

“I don’t need?—”

She cuts me off. “Be assertive. Damien likes a woman who knows what she likes. Just keep that in mind.”

But I don’t know what I like.

Nadia must see this on my face because her eyes turn full of pity. “You really are so innocent.”

“What’s going on in here?” Damien’s voice cuts through our conversation.

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