Page 78 of Scorching Sienna

This is overly presumptuous on his part, but I expect no less fromhim. And instead of making me feel scared by these assumptions, these unexpected and utterly controlling gestures make me feel special. I realize this feeling is born in the knowledge that he is rarely like this with anyone. As such, it makes that feeling I am starting to adore too much to burst forth. He makes me feel special.

“You knew then that I would be your date?” He leans forward and picks up one of the bite-sized morsels on my plate.

“Of course.” His voice is low and sensual as he holds the canapé close to my mouth.

“Open.” Damn. His commands have a direct link to my core, which similarly obeys as moisture pools in my panties. At this rate, I was going to end up embarrassing myself.

When did I become this woman?

I open my mouth, and he inserts the little delicatessen, his eyes locked on my lips. How is everything with him so damn erotic.

“You’re very sure of yourself,” I whisper, trying to diffuse the sexual tension by popping another in my mouth.

“So, Sienna, how did you two meet?” Luciano draws our attention, and suddenly, all eyes are on us. I swallow with difficulty, my hand flying up to cover the spluttering while Damon rubs my back.

“We met at the gym,” I finally say, once composed.

“At Mike’s Gym?” Julia asks incredulously.

“Yes, that’s the one,” I confirm, as her gaze darts to Damon’s.

“You said it was full. You declined my application.” The accusation in her tone matches the death glare she is giving Damon. However, that isn’t what is most surprising.

“You declined her application? I don’t understand. What has that got to do with you?” Before Damon can answer, a shrill laugh from Julia draws my attention back to her.

“He owns the gym, sweetie.” Her condescending tone, coupledwith her words, diverts the blood away from my face. For the second time this evening and with her at the root of both.

He owns Mike’s Gym.

“For someone supposedly so close to Damon, you know so little.” Julia's words cut through the not wholly healed scab of insecurity I have been nursing since meeting Damon, the wound bursting open as if it had just been sustained.

“You own Mike’s Gym?” So many thoughts rush through me, mainly why he never told me.

“On paper. But Big Mike runs everything. My main role is financing the place and working out there.” Damon’s words are directed at me while his gaze is on Julia. One that would have anyone else wilting under it. She just looks amused, the smirk on her face alluding to as much.

His gaze moves from her to me, softening as usual when he looks at me.

“Don’t let her succeed in what she is trying to achieve. I didn’t keep that information from you. It just never came up.”

This is typical of him. But I never asked, and I think if I did, he would have told me. But if that is the case, what else hasn’t he told me that ‘just hasn’t come up’ or hasn’t been disclosed merely because I didn’t ask?

“Well, as much as I’d love to stay here and let Julia try her best to create cracks between us, a futile effort, might I add, as nothing will pull me from Sienna’s side, it’s time for us to dance.”

Marcello and Lucy snicker, and for a change, Julia's face pales, and I like it. The part inside me, a new part that instantly dislikes people, like the woman across from me, forces me to smile.

“Indeed. I think a dance with my man is just what I need.” Damon, who has already risen, holds his hand out for me to take, which I do.As I rise, he pulls me towards him, my front colliding with his so that there is no space between us.

His fisted hand grazes the underside of my chin before applying gentle pressure, tilting my head upward. Then he kisses me. It lacks the ferocity I am accustomed to. But it is so sweet. So gentle. So utterly consuming in another way. He wants everyone to see, and they do. It's possessive, and I love it.

When he is done, he moves us forward and then spins me around so I land beside him. With our hands clasped, we walk away from the table and the eyes that feel like they are burning the skin on my back. Fuck, that was intense.

Less than ten couples are on the dance floor, but I don’t care. I would rather be here than at the table. Damon's words about Julia rang in my head, and while I know she is just trying to get between us, the stuff it has brought up is valid.

“Eyes on me, rainbow.” His voice draws my gaze as we sway to the romantic music drifting through the air.

“Use your words. What’s going on?” I search his dark chocolate eyes and then follow the scar which I barely notice anymore. Where would it leave us once I started asking? And if I didn’t? Was I happy continuing like this? Not knowing and not asking questions for fear of what it could do to us. Was what we had that fickle? Dread pools in my stomach at the thought of the answer being yes. I didn’t want this to end with Damon. But I also need to know what else he hasn’t told me.

“I’m scared that once I start asking you, you will start pulling away from me and that it will lead to the end of this.” Honesty. I give him that because it is all I have to offer right now.

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