Page 129 of Aine

Damien’s frown has me dropping my gaze to my thighs, slightly embarrassed. I thought he’d be happy about this.

“That’s for me to decide,” he eventually argues. “And I’ve decided I’ll stay here until you’re completely comfortable on your own.”

Sighing, I shake my head and grab his hands. They feel rough within my own, his callouses matured after years of fighting and training. His eyes narrow as I run my thumb over his palm, the man clearly not trusting my motives.

“Damien—” I start.

He cuts me off. “Aine.”

I squeeze his hand in warning and shoot him a glare, annoyed with the interruption. He sucks in a laugh at my silent threat, his cheeks hollowing as he fights to keep a straight face.

“I’ll be okay,” I assure him. “Your office is just in the back yard, and you have large windows to watch the house through. If I feel overwhelmed, I promise I’ll come to you.”

Damien remains silent, shifting his gaze to the ceiling as he ponders my words. At least he’s thinking it over. I try not to rush him as he mulls over my proposal, waiting patiently until he realizes this is an argument I’m going to win.

I thought he’d be excited by my request and jump right on board.

“I suppose I could do that,” he eventually says. “But Alex will stay here. He’s been bugging me about seeing you for days now, claiming I’m hoarding you.”

I practically squeal as I throw myself on Damien, my hesitance toward being without him overshadowed by my delight at seeing Alex. Other than the occasionalhelloand friendly wave, I haven’t really seen him since he came here in the middle of the night to help Olivia pack.

My pulse quickens as Damien’s chest vibrates, the beast angry about something as he stands and yanks me up. I gasp and grab his shoulders as he carries me to the bathroom, my beast ignoring my demands to be let down.

“Damien!” I scowl as he dips me backward so he can bend and turn on the shower. “What’s gotten into you?”

Hands tighten on my hips before his lips smash onto mine in a possessive kiss. My eyes flutter shut as his mouth travels to my neck, his tongue darting out to lick along the column of my throat before abruptly lifting and running from my cheek to my eyebrow.

I wince and pull away, opening my eyes to glare into the darkened ones of his beast. What’s he doing? I frown and wipe away his spit, worried he’s going to attack my face with his tongue again.

I can tell he’s hiding his emotions as I search the bond for them and come up empty-handed. Damien’s never done that before, and I grimace before grabbing his chin and pulling his face toward me. I’m not sure if I’m supposed to return the favor, but I don’t want to disappoint if I am.

Damien moves forward with no complaint, his eyes widening as I lift on my toes and lick his cheek. His stubble feels rough against my tongue, but I try to ignore it as I drag it from his chin to his ear and then to his temple.

Trying not to appear judgmental and grossed out, I return to the flats of my feet and plant a wide smile on my face. That smile drops as I take in his confused expression and wet skin. At least his pupils have constricted back to their average size, the man finally settling.

“My love,” Damien whispers, holding back a laugh. “My beast made me lick you because he was upset by how excited you got when I said Alex is coming over. It’s a possessive thing I’m not proud of, but I promise there’s no expectation for you to lick me back.”

Oh. I’m sure my face is a thousand shades of red, and I try to hide my regret as I roll my shoulders and straighten my spine.

“Well, it worked to settle him back down,” I point out, my embarrassment only further fueled as he lets out the laugh he’s been holding in.

“Well, yeah, you scared the poor guy away.” He clearly enjoys watching me squirm.

My lips twitch as I spin on my heel and storm inside the warm shower. I leave the door open for Damien, worried he’ll think he’s genuinely upset me if I close it. Seeing the unspoken invitation, he hurries to step in and hug me from behind.

“I love you,” he says.

There’s a slight pressure on the top of my head as he presses a kiss to it, his arms tightening before he releases me altogether.

He doesn’t wait for a response before grabbing the body wash and preparing our loofah. No amount of convincing seems to change his mind on washing me every day, and admittedly, I’ve grown to enjoy it. Especially now that I get to return the favor when he’s finished.

“Are you sure about me going to the office?” he asks. “Do you have any doubts or worries?”

I spin in his arms and press a kiss to his chest. “Yes, I’m sure.”

Damien hums, clearly not quite believing me, but he doesn’t push the subject as he takes his sweet time washing me. We make quick work in the shower, no longer feeling the need to drag it out in a secret attempt to explore one another’s bodies. As much as I love feeling him shiver and harden as I run the soap over his skin, that need’s been sated for now.

At least until my intimate parts have healed. Then he’s fair game once more.

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