Page 60 of Bound By Longing

“Easy there, tiger,” he says, gently grabbing my hand and placing it back beside me. “I’m not going to take advantage of you in this state.”

“But you feel so soft.”

“Why don’t you just lie down and soak up the feeling?”

“I couldn’t lie down now,” I say with a laugh. Damien smiles back.

“Come on, Mila. Just lie down.”

I jump out of the bed and start spinning in circles. I do that for a long time until I get dizzy and flop on the bed. Damien only laughs. The sound is like crystals in the air.

I snuggle into the sheets, feeling how soft and warm they are. Damien sleeps here every night. His bare skin has touched these sheets, and now, I’m touching them.

I lie there for a long time, letting life pass me by.

And then I see him—my father.

“I’m so disappointed in you, Mila,” he says. “You’re not married, yet you’re throwing yourself at this boy. You should be ashamed of yourself.”

I gasp and scramble away from him. I can hear Damien behind me asking me if I’m ok, but I ignore him.

“You were supposed to be my angel,” my father says, turning away from me.

I run after him. “I’m still your angel. I’m sorry.”

“Then you shouldn’t be spending time with that man. He’ll only hurt you.”

“No. He’s saved me. He won’t hurt me.”

“Look at how he’s made you feel. Restless and uncertain. He’s not the man for you, Mila.”

My father is right. Damien still hasn’t fully committed to me. I’m stuck between wanting him and wanting a marriage, and the two desires are in conflict.

I spin around to face Damien. “I need to go.”

“You can’t. Mila, you need to stay here. I’ll keep you safe.”

“I know you will. But everything is so shiny and bright, and my father is here. He’s mad at me. I can’t do this, Damien.” I burst into tears and run down the hall.

“Mila!” Damien’s footsteps sound out as he chases me.

I run past Collette and burst outside, running into the guard Mikhail sent with me.

“I want to go home,” I tell him. He glares as Damien runs up behind me.

“Mila, wait,” Damien says, touching my arm. The pleasure from it is so intense. I want to wrap myself in Damien’s arms forever … but does he want the same?

“You won’t marry me,” I sob.

Damien steps back, shock on his face.

I run into the car, and the guard follows. Damien watches us leave while I’m a ball of tears.

Everything outside is brighter than it ever was before. My skin is screaming for touch, but I know it’s wrong. It’s all wrong. None of this was supposed to happen.

I burst into the penthouse and start pacing, which is how Sofiya finds me not long after. “Mila, are you all right?”

“I did drugs,” I blurt out.

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