Page 13 of Auctioned to the Titan

I pull back and look at her. I catch the slight hesitation in her eyes. Uncertainty and even worry.

I stop immediately. I want her—more than I’ve ever wanted anyone—but not like this. Not when she’s not ready.

I take a deep breath, reigning in the fire that’s burning inside me, and gently pull back.

“Even though I’m dying to be with you, Alice, I told you last night that you would never have to do anything you don’t want to. Ever again.”

Her hazel eyes meet mine and she takes a deep breath. “I believe you.”

I cock my brows and study her face. “You do?”

“I can’t explain it. But I do.”

“Good.”

After one last look, I turn, preparing myself for a long cold shower.

She grabs my hand before I can walk away, forcing me to turn back. “Stay,” she whispers, “Please... stay with me.”

I pause, my heart skipping a beat, and then slowly, I climb back into the bed beside her, pulling her close. She rests her head against my chest, and for the first time in a long time, I feel something more than just lust or desire. I feel... connected.

I don’t know what’s happening between us, but I know one thing for certain—she’s already getting under my skin in ways I never thought possible. And I’m not sure if I’ll ever be able to let her go.

Chapter five

Alice

I’m nervous.

As I lie in Damon’s arms, my heart is pounding so hard in my chest that I’m scared it’ll explode.

We’ve been lying in silence for a while, and I’ve been hoping he breaks it. Start talking about himself like he did in the kitchen or even ask me a question.

But he doesn’t.

And as more time passes, I slowly realize that he’s waiting formeto say something or do something. To make the first move.

He probably wants to go at my pace and as sweet as that is, I have no clue what pace I want to go at. Ever since I walked onto that stage and made eye contact with him, things have happened so fast that it still feels like I’m dreaming.

“I like Christmas shopping and reading romance novels,” I say, blurting out the first things that come to my mind.

Damon pulls back just enough to look at me. “What?”

“You asked what I liked earlier. I like Christmas shopping and reading erotic novels.”

Damon raises an eyebrow, wearing an expression that is a mix of surprise and amusement.

“Why do you like Christmas?”

“Well, red is my favorite color, Christmas is a beautiful season, and it’s the only time of the year where I’m not working my ass off.”

His amused smile remains. “What’s your favorite book?”

I mention it and his eyes widen. “That’s an erotic book. I wouldn’t have imagined someone with a face like yours reading something like that.”

A flush creeps up my neck, but there’s also a tiny bit of annoyance. I know exactly what he means by a face like mine.

I know my innocence is nothing to be embarrassed about but with a man like Damon who looks like he could fuck any woman with just one look, it’s hard not to feel self-conscious.

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