Page 75 of Scorching Sienna

“What did you just do? And what did that last part mean?” she whispers, her eyes nervously darting around as we walk away from the reporters. Unfortunately, Luciano and Julia remain standing where they are, and a whispered conversation occurs, which is cut off just as we reach them.

“Nice of you to join us.” Luciano's words are clipped, and his tone conveys the opposite of his words.

The silence drags on until Sienna is the one to break the uncomfortable atmosphere.

“Thank you and congratulations. I hear you are taking over from your father. He must be very proud.” Sienna’s words and gentle tone draw his attention. It is like watching an iceberg melt under the sun. He smiles. A smile I have not seen before. Fuck.

This sadistic fucker actually likes her.

Even Julia rears back as she watches Luciano's whole demeanor change.

“Thank you, Sienna.” He doesn’t say a lot. But he doesn’t have to. The way he looks at her is enough. He sees her light and preens under it.

“I’m Julia. Julia Scarva. I’m sure Damon must have mentioned me?” Sienna stiffens, and recognition flashes in her eyes as she looks up at me briefly, confirming my suspicions. She has been snooping in my office.

Julia dips her head to the side, her venomous gaze latching onto the reaction and probably equating it to insecurity on Sienna's part. She plasters on a fake smile while looking my rainbow up and down, assessing her while trying to make a comparison against herself. Futile really. It would be like comparing a blue diamond to a rock you pick out of your shoe when it gets stuck in the crevice.

“I’m sorry. No?” Sienna's tone is accusing as she looks at me.

“Naughty boy. I am Damon's first love. The one everyone else has to live up to.” She laughs as Sienna stiffens further. Fucking presumptuous. We may have been close when we were younger. Until I realized what kind of person she truly is. The devil disguised in red lipstick and provocative clothing. Nothing about Julia was real.

“Hardly. Though in the mind of the deluded, love and hate can be mistaken as the same thing,” I drawl, making it crystal clear for all tohear what I thought of that far too-cocky statement. To solidify it, I kiss Sienna’s head before allowing my gaze to meet with the furious blue ones throwing daggers at me.

“Well, as entertaining as this is, I am due to make a speech. Shall we?” Luciano turns on his heel, forcing Julia to break our stare before they disappear into the hall.

“Geezus. What was that all about?” Sienna whispers, straightening up and smoothing her dress before looking at me.

“Am I trodding on toes here, Damon?” There is a bite to her words, and she will not meet my gaze.

“You’re jealous.” Her head snaps up so fast I am surprised she doesn’t pull a muscle.

“No. Me? Jealous? Never.” Her brows pull down, and her face scrunches up, making me smile. The blush that always accompanies a lie intensifies under my scrutiny until even her ears are red.

“You found the drawing in my office.” The statement has her green eyes growing wider as the seconds tick by.

“Are you angry? I didn’t mean to. The picture fell, and…well, the rest is history.” Her face is tomato red, and I laugh. Seeing her this flustered, thinking she has somehow offended me by snooping, is ludicrous, especially since I had done so much more.

“I don’t care if you rummage through my whole office. Nothing is off limits to you.”

Her mouth forms a shocked ‘o,’ and then she starts fanning her face, trying to ease the heat created by this interaction.

I twist her around and pull her against me before dipping her back.

“Damon.” My name comes out breathy, and she looks around, checking to see if anyone is looking at us.

“Don’t be jealous of Julia. You are the only fucking woman I have and ever will want and need, Sienna. You are the eighth wonder of theworld. A walking, talking rainbow.”

Then I pull her to me, cupping her neck before getting my fix.

Kissing my girl is my latest vice and one I will not quit. Cherry lipgloss adds to the sweet taste that is Sienna. She mewls as she pushes herself against me, her fingers delving into the hair at the nape of my neck. The gentle scratch of her nails elicits a groan from me. If we don’t stop, this evening will see us leaving so that I can finally do what I have wanted to do with my rainbow since the first time I set my eyes on her.

Slowly, I pull away, her dilated pupils and heaving chest telling me she is as impacted.

“Let's get this over with. I have plans for us tonight. At my place.”

She blushes and then runs a finger along the line of her lips, removing any smudges.

I tear my gaze from her and then hold my arm out. She slips hers through mine, and then we proceed. The hostess at the door directs us to our table—one right at the front of the hall, on the outskirts of a small dance floor.

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