Page 45 of Unmasked

“Yes, you are. You were so uptight when you were with her. You were tense all the time. It was like you were always trying to force something when she was around, like you were trying to be something else.” She sighed. “You weren’t yourself.”

Damian quirked a brow. “Really?”

“Yes.” She swatted him across the table. “And don’t look at me like that. I can say insightful shit from time to time.”

“‘Insightful shit’?”

He was mocking her, the bastard. “I know what I’m talking about.” She crossed her arms, self-conscious for the first time.

She could be stark naked in front of him, in the throes of orgasm, and be confident. In control. But the second it came down to the personal stuff—she couldn’t have felt more exposed.

“No need to get defensive. I’m quite partial to insightful shit.” His eyes swept over her, skimming the neckline of last night’s dress and her bare skin exposed between the open lapels of his shirt. Was he remembering the way he felt when she lowered the zipper? When she’d bared herself to him?

She leaned forward. “Why do you think you haven’t changed?”

“This is a bit heavy for breakfast conversation, don’t you think?” He raked a hand through his dark hair and the front sprang forward rebelliously.

“We might be eating breakfast, but it’s hardly early. Besides, I get the impression it would be heavy conversation for you no matter what time it was.”

“I prefer to keep things light. Sue me.”

He attempted a look of nonchalance, but his gaze flicked over her. Hot and intense. Sunlight streamed down over their table, shifting so that the trees around them no longer provided protection. Lainey slipped the white shirt off and bundled it on top of her handbag. The sunshine felt good on her bare arms.

“I could tempt you to get heavy.” She smirked. “I convinced you to sleep with me, after all.”

Damian’s Adam’s apple bobbed and his gaze narrowed, two flintlike eyes challenging her. “Once.”

“Twice,” she corrected.

“The first time doesn’t count.”

“Then I’ll do it again.” She shrugged. “You’re just buying time now.”

“I’m not buying anything.”

“Yet.” She jabbed a finger in his direction. “I’ve got all day.”

“You’re going to need all weekend at the rate you’re eating that croissant.” He nodded to the barely touched pastry sitting in front of her.

“Would you prefer it if I stuffed the whole thing in my mouth at once?” She sucked on her lower lip, stifling a smile. “That’s not very ladylike, is it?”

Damian’s serious expression broke, his eyes crinkling at the corners, and he laughed, low and throaty. She needed to see him laugh more often.

“Since when are you ladylike?”

“Good point.” She grinned.

Her phone vibrated against the glass table, Corinna’s picture flashing up on the screen. Lainey’s smile faded; she didn’t want to talk to her best friend right now. Guilt twinged low in her gut.

Ugh, why did they have to be related? Or rather, why couldn’t she only want the physical with Damian? Why did she need more than their memory-obliterating night in bed? There was nothing wrong with some serious, scream-the-roof-off fucking. She knew that. Dirty, impolite sex was her favourite kind.

But with him...it was always going to be more.

“What’s with the expression?” he asked. “You look like you’re plotting a murder.”

Lainey wrinkled her nose. “Plotting a murder, huh? How would you know what that looks like?”

“I picked you up from that freak’s house one time, remember? I’m pretty sure if I’d walked past a mirror my face would have looked exactly like that.”

“Which freak?” She rolled her eyes. “There have been so many.”

“Why do you always have to date idiots?” He drained the last of his coffee and tilted his face up to the sun. “Aren’t there any normal guys left in Australia for you to choose from?”

“Despite what you might think, I don’t always get my pick of the litter.” She rolled her shoulders back, stretching her arms in front of her. “Besides, you rejected me.”

He pressed his lips into a flat line.

Yeah, and it has nothing to do with Corinna or Jenny. It’s because you’re not forever material. You’re not good enough for him.

She would ban all doubts until the weekend was over. She would get Damian back into bed and she would forget about the fact that she was leaving everything she knew in under two weeks, all because she couldn’t have the man she wanted with all her heart.

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