Page 48 of Fate's Unseen Shadow

Ella’s smile brightened her eyes. “So you started carrying one in case you did?”

“No. I started carrying oneknowingI would, despite my best intentions.” He picked up the pool cue and the chalk, running the blue chalk over the tip. “Go to work.”

She bit the corner of her bottom lip and headed to the bar.

And for the rest of the night, he lost three games to Xavier and kept a close watch over Ella, reminding himself that this wasn’t her life and she’d leave. Because the minute he started thinking of her as more than a temporary situation, he knew he’d be in trouble.

14

That kiss.

Holy shit. That had been the single sexiest moment in her life, and he hadn’t done anything but kiss her. But after a silent ride home and a quick peck goodbye, Damon had disappeared into his apartment and told her he’d see her in the morning.

That wasn’t going to happen. Not when this thing between them had some momentum. Her determination was the only aspect of this situation that felt related to her old self.

Damon wasn’t the only one who could go after what they wanted.

She showered and changed into a Cager T-shirt and shorts. It didn’t matter how long she’d known him. Like Lacy had said, when it clicked, it just clicked. And their kiss had solidified it for her. All the feelings of attraction were real.

She liked Damon.

That’s all it came down to.

“And you’re a grown woman and can make this decision,” she said aloud as she bounced down the stairs, willing to risk her ego and the rejection for a chance for something more.

She knocked on the door, and it opened almost immediately. “Are you okay?” Damon asked, looking past her into the darkness.

“Yes and no. Nothing is wrong, but I can’t seem to settle down and go to bed. Can I come in?”

“Yes.” He stepped back, closing the door as she walked past him into his apartment.

He’d showered, leaving him in shorts without a shirt. His lower back had a new large bandage covering the knife wound. She stood in his living room but didn’t know what to say or do to get what she wanted. Did she kiss him like she’d done at the bar? Make the first move this time? Sit down on the sofa and see if he followed? Walk straight into his bedroom and make it undeniably clear what she really wanted?

Ella did none of those things. Instead, she stood awkwardly, shifting the weight between her feet and looking around. She clasped her hands together behind her back. “I imagined this going a little differently.”

“What did you imagine?”

“I don’t know.” She forced the discomfort from her mind. “I want to stay here tonight,” she announced.

He shook his head. “Ella?—"

“I know that’s probably aggressive to say,” she continued, pushing her point. “I like you, Damon. I could start listing why I like you if you need more than that. I still have a tough time remembering that we just met. But it doesn’t matter. It feels right with you.” She ran her hand through her hair. “And I hope you’re not going to run away now that I admitted it.”

“No.” His expression softened. “I like you, too. I’m not going anywhere. But that doesn’t mean you need to stay here and complicate everything else. It is possible to take this slow. I think you should go back to your apartment.”

“Most men would jump at this chance,” she snapped, hurt by the rejection.

Damon crossed his arms, his jaw hardening. “Let me know if you want my honest response to being compared to Matteo.”

She rolled her eyes. “Damn. You hit low, don’t you?”

“I do when you compare me to other men that are only interested in you for sex.”

“I’m not…I…I didn’t mean it that way. I’ve never wanted to be with someone like this. To be around them. I was only with Matteo because the alternative was to be alone.” She was screwing this up. Shaking her head, she paced away, trying to figure out how to change the conversation away from Matteo. She came back to him. “I’ve never done this before, Damon.”

“Never had to convince Ma?—”

She pressed her finger over his lips. “Do not say his name again. And I’m not talking about that. I never stayed the night. I’ve never had any urge to sleep beside a man.” She chuckled, caressing his face, his beard soft but scratchy, and forced herself to be honest with him. “When I first saw you at Cager, it was hard to even look at you, the attraction was so powerful. And now that I’ve seen what a kind, loyal, loving person you are”—Ella paused, worried about the rejection but knowing it needed to be said—“I can’t help but fall for you. Hard.”

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