Page 7 of Heat Me

My pulse was in overdrive. I had maybe five seconds before he walked out.

"Hey, Damien," I said, my voice soft but clear.

He froze, then turned toward me. His eyebrows knit together, and for a second, he looked confused. But then it clicked. Maybe it was my height, or perhaps my eyes, which had been visible through the slits in my ski mask during our previous encounter. His expression shifted from confusion to shock.

Then… it turned guarded. He clenched his hands into fists, blinked, and swallowed hard.

"Is it you?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Yeah, it’s me," I answered, trying to sound calm. "Look, if you want me to leave, I will. I just—I wanted to explain why I turned you down."

He stared at me, wide-eyed.

"I need you to know that I’m not rejecting you—just the idea of handling this through the company, making it transactional. I don’t want you to pay for something so intimate. I couldn’t say this to the company owner to relay to you because it’s against their rules, so I had to tell you in person. But I’m open to spending this time with you, outside of Dark Dreams, just privately. No money, no business. Just… a normal heat."

"Did you follow me?"

I sighed. "Yeah, I did. All I knew was that you were a student, so I took a chance and came to the nearest college. It probably looks like stalking, but I had no other way to contact you. And I didn’t want to show up at your house unannounced. At least here, it’s a public place," I explained, wincing.

The silence felt heavy, and the bathroom suddenly seemed smaller, almost claustrophobic.

"Sorry for that, but I just needed to explain myself so you wouldn’t feel rejected for the wrong reasons."

Damien didn’t respond right away, but I could sense bitterness—or maybe irritation. Was it because I’d overstepped and put him in an awkward spot? Or for some other reason? At the same time, I congratulated myself for not going straight to his home. That would’ve been way worse.

Then he coughed slightly and straightened his shoulders a bit.

"So… this would be on your personal time?" he asked slowly, sounding cautious.

"Yes, of course."

"Why?" His voice was neutral, but there was something deeper there.

I paused, caught off guard. "Because… I want to do this with you."

Damien lowered his head, looking as if he were thinking very hard about something.

Not knowing what else to say, I shifted awkwardly and glanced at my phone. My time was running out. I had already spent a few hours on campus—I had to leave soon for a meeting with Mr. Ragu.

"Damien, I have to go. I’ve got a job interview, and I don’t want to be late. But could I get your number? You don’t have to decide anything now; just let me know when you’re ready—if you’re ready."

Damien hesitated, then nodded. He pulled out his phone and gave me his number. I dialed it right away, and the sound of his phone ringing in his hand made me take a deep breath of relief.

"I’ll wait for your decision," I said softly. "And I promise, if you choose not to contact me, I won’t bother you again. You’re safe from me. I’m not a stalker," I added with a rueful smile.

But when I turned to leave, he called out after me.

"Are you looking for a new job?"

"Yeah."

"Why? What’s wrong with this one?" His voice was quiet, almost inaudible.

I clenched my jaw, feeling a bit exposed. "Your commission made me realize I don’t want to have sex with clients."

His lips curled bitterly. He clearly didn’t take it the way I intended.

"Was I that bad? Repulsive?"

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