Page 47 of Sinclair Duet

My neck stretched as Damien’s touch moved to my core, his finger swirling in my essence and then moving up my stomach, swirling in his. He pushed his finger into his mouth and sucked. The foyer echoed with a pop as he removed his finger from his strong lips. His gaze shimmered. “We taste fucking fantastic together.”

Once again, his finger collected our nectar. This time he brought the concoction to my lips. I didn’t need to be told to open. I did, taking his finger and sucking. Sweet and tangy. Salty yet sugary. I held tight to his hand with two of mine as I rolled my tongue around his outstretched digit.

The deep rumble in his throat made me smile.

Freeing his hand, Damien took a step back, turning and looking around. “I’ll clean you. Where is a bath—?” He didn’t finish his question. Instead, his focus went to Duchess who had been sitting quietly on the stairs watching our private performance.

“Duchess?” Damien asked.

I nodded. “Yes. She seems to have enjoyed the show.”

Damien took a step toward her, crouched down, and reached out his hand.

Duchess stretched her neck, rubbing against his hand and accepting his pet.

“I think she remembers me,” he said.

“You’re the one who rescued her from the animal shelter.” I reached down and gathered my dress. As Damien rekindled his friendship with Duchess, I pulled the dress over my head, aware that I was still marked.

Once the dress covered me, I saw that Damien was standing with Duchess in his arms. Her green eyes were closed.

“Traitor,” I said to her.

Her purr was loud enough for me to hear.

I shook my head. “I’d tell you that usually she hides when anyone else is here, but I don’t want to give you a bigger head than you have.”

Damien looked down at Duchess with a smile that was different from the cocky grin he usually displayed. “I never was a pet kind of guy.”

“Maybe you should tell her. She thinks you’re a cat kind of guy.”

“Just one cat,” he said, scratching between her ears. His gaze met mine. “Just like only one woman.” Gently releasing Duchess to the floor, Damien stood to his full height, his shit-eating grin back in place. “You didn’t disappoint, Ella. Call me after your meeting with Ms. Barns.”

I nodded, too exhausted and satisfied to argue.

“I want you in your office at Sinclair Corporate by next Monday.”

Today was Monday—or at least it was when I woke. That would give me an entire week. “I haven’t said yes.”

He didn’t respond.

Acquiescing, I nodded. “I think next week can be worked out.”

“Good night.” He leaned in, brushing my lips with his.

Standing with my hands behind my back, my gaze met his. “Don’t hurt me again.”

“I never meant to hurt you.”

“I need to keep me if there is going to be an us.”

He nodded. “I’m listening, Ella. I am.”

Taking a step back, I turned and opened the door. The sounds of the spring night filled the air as he walked down my steps. His broad shoulders, trim torso, and long legs moved gracefully. The car lit and an emblem appeared on the street as he neared.

As I closed and locked the door, Duchess came close, weaving around my ankles.

I lifted her to my chest. “What do you think? Is this a mistake?” Her purr was my answer. “I know,” I said, carrying her to the kitchen to check her food. “Damien’s impossible to forget.”

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