Page 163 of Taeja

“I’m listening,” Taeja said.

Damon cleared his throat, his brows furrowing as he opened and closed his mouth several times.

“You don’t have to tell me anything if you don’t want to…” Taeja said gently.

“No,” Damon said immediately. “I need to do this.”

“Okay… Whenever you’re ready,” she said, and he cleared his throat again. She’d never seen Damon this nervous about anything before. Despite being nerve-wracking, it was cute seeing him flustered.

“I was married,” Damon blurted.

Taeja’s small smile washed away. “What?”

Damon nodded and looked away. “It was a long time ago. Back in college. She…died from an illness she was fighting. I knew she wouldn’t live long, but I really loved her, and she wanted to be married, so I did what was best for us. It only lasted a year, which isn’t very long if you’re thinking—”

Taeja chuckled and walked toward Damon. She straddled him, and he wrapped his arms around her waist. Taeja held his face in his hands, pecking his lips. “You’re rambling.”

He met her eyes. “If I don’t say the words now, I don’t know when I’ll get the courage to tell you again.”

“I understand.”

“You’re not angry?” Damon asked. “You don’t want to break up?”

“How yu reach deso, Damon?” Taeja asked. “No, mi naa leff yu ova dat. I’m not even surprised.”

His brows furrowed. “You’re not?”

Taeja shook her head. “No. Mi nuh waa feed yu ego, but you’re one of the sexiest men I’ve ever seen and you’re smart, well-spoken, educated, and rich. I’d be more surprised if you told me you’ve never been in a serious relationship before, considering your age.”

“Are you calling me old?”

“If the shoe fits—” She laughed as he glared at her. “I’m joking! Anyway, was this what was bothering you the other day?” she asked, and Damon nodded. Taeja thought for a moment. “It all makes sense now. Sorry. I wouldn’t have flaunted Liyah in your face if I knew.”

“It’s fine.”

“It’s not,” Taeja disagreed. “See? That’s why it nuh good fi keep secrets.”

“Like you don’t have secrets?”

“Of my own? No. I’m open as a book.”

A small smile came on his lips. “That’s true.”

“Of course, it is. I never say things I don’t mean. Anyway, back to what you were saying. My condolences for your ex-wife.”

Damon cleared his throat, looking away. “Thanks…”

“Damon.” She held his jaw and made him look at her. Her eyes softened after seeing the far-off look in his eyes. “I won’t force you to talk about it, but if you’regoing to pushmeaway every time you think about her, it ago make me feel a way.”

“What kind of way?”

“Like there’s a void inside you that no amount of my love can fill.”

“What? No. I wantyou. I loveyou. What we have differs from what I had with her. It’s no competition, but you’re winning by a terabyte.”

“Damn. Not a petabyte?”

“More like an exabyte, baby,” Damon said and kissed her lips.

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