Page 31 of Filthy Royal

She’d waited all rotation to touch him again.

Nervous for the morning medical examination, she’d carefully washed away any trace of Damien’s scent and saliva before her appointment. But since there was no seed found on her and she’s explained away the faint irritation between her thighs as a product of her dancing, she’d passed the inspection without any trouble.

It helped, too, that Egan was distracted with other tournament business, his attention more divided than usual.

Even better, his preoccupied state had allowed her more chances to sneak glances at Damien during the first official rotation of the tournament. Silently, she’d cheered him on while he fought and won each of his matches as she sat in her crystal cage above, the prize to be won.

All rotation long, she’d pressed her thighs tight as his beautiful body flexed and bunched, moving and dodging as he wiped the mat with his opponents.

All rotation long, she’d ached for him. Craved his skin against hers, his calloused hands gripping her hips, the taste of him on her tongue.

If anyone had told her only a few rotations past that she could feel this kind of giddy happiness and raw, reckless hunger—even while still in the dome, Egan’s beady eyes on her whenever she was in her cage, still a prize for the Consortium—she would have said they were mad.

But here she was, her steps light, her blood thrumming hot and wild and free.

All because of Damien.

He’d busted into her life and changed everything.

“You can look now.” His hand fell away.

She blinked, taking in the softly lit space. “What is this place?”

“I bribed a few of the guards to set it up for me. Apparently, it used to be part of the old underground city. Now it’s storage. Or… as I like to think of it, our tunnel love den.” He laughed his smartass laugh, but there was another layer. “What do you think?”

Vulnerability. That’s what she detected in his voice. He’d done something special for her, and he had no idea if she’d like it or not.

The organ inside her chest tingled.

Damien was cocky. He might be younger than her, but he was more worldly and confident. Plus, he was such a gigantic wall of brawn, a mountain of strength and power. At least on the outside.

So it comforted her to know he had his moments too. That inside, beneath all that corded flesh, he was as vulnerable as she was to the bond deepening between them.

Their bodies and souls might have recognized each other instantly, but there was still so much to learn about their connection. Still so much trust to forge.

The reminder made her feel all the more protective. He was clearly physically stronger, but she needed to take care of him as well.

“What I think,”—she spun in his hold and threw her arms around his chest—“is that I can’t believe you did this for me. I love it.”

He held her tight. “I would do anything for you, Scarlett.”

She was coming to believe him.

“I would do anything for you too, Damien Skolov.” She pressed a kiss above his heart. “Anything.”

An ominous foreboding rolled through her, stealing her lighthearted mood.

She’d been on her best behavior whenever Egan was around. He’d even praised her after her first performance of the rotation, remarking how vibrant her colors had become. A comment that made her nervous—since she knew the new richness resulted from her connection to Damien—but Egan had done nothing else out of the ordinary.

Nor had he mentioned this mysterious investor with special plans for Damien, though she’d kept her eyes and ears open.

Thankfully, Damien was staying alert too.

She’d told him about Egan’s reference to this mysterious male as soon as he came for her. In return, he’d told her about Olan Lundin, a family enemy who’d been hunting him and his siblings since they were younglings.

He suspected this might be who was after him—and he’d promised to be on guard.

She was still concerned.

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