Page 23 of Unsure in Love

This was awkward to the extreme. I’d never had a surprise reunion with a one-night stand whose child I was secretly carrying before, so of course, I was a little out of sorts.

“It’s just…” Being at a loss for words wasn’t me. I always had something to say. In fact, my sisters often begged me to shut up. I wasn’t sure what had happened to my quick wit since I ran into Damian.

“You don’t have to apologize.” Onyx-like pupils that never failed to get me heated moved over my face. Gosh, did he have any idea how intense his stare was? Jealousy swept through me at the thought that he looked at other women like that. “I should apologize for making things awkward in the end. We agreed to one night, and I made things weird in the morning.” Damian’s little smile was stamped with irony. “I’m sorry.”

He didn’t strike me as a man who dished out apologies often. During our brief interaction, I gathered he was an I-said-what-I said, did-what-I-did, and I-don’t-give-a-shit type of man.

“I wish you weren’t,” I said. There was a hint of longing in my voice. Did Damian hear it? I watched him intently, gauging his expression, but he gave nothing away. “I mean, you have no reason to apologize either. I didn’t mean to be rude that morning.” I’d just been hit by so many emotions that I spent almost my entire life avoiding, and our connection had scared the living hell out of me.

What did it all mean? Was I supposed to abandon all of my established beliefs because of one night with a virtual stranger? I’d been so confused. But I couldn’t admit all that to him, could I? What was the point?

He sat back and flung an arm over the back of the sofa to study me. However, he said nothing, and it was disconcerting.

Squirming, I asked. “I suppose you know why I’m here, since you and Keneti are partners.”

“I have an idea.”

“That’s it?”

His eyebrows shot up. “What else are you looking for?”

Our eyes met. I was looking for… more time with him, that’s what. Apparently, pregnancy causes one to lose one’s mind.

“How about dinner?” I couldn’t believe I said that out loud, but it was out there and I didn’t want to take it back. Seeing Damian again was a little scary, but at the same time, it was nice.

He didn’t answer immediately. He just stared at me with that maddening unreadable mask of his. For a moment, I thought he’d turn me down. Maybe I’d deserve it. A slow smile appeared on his face, and I was momentarily spellbound. His chiseled features filled my sketch pad back home because I found him so handsome. But when he smiled, he was masculinely beautiful.

“I thought you’d never ask.”

I smiled back at him because I was reminded that Damian wasn’t at all the type of man to be perturbed by a woman making the first move.

10

DAMIAN

I was happy that Cass wanted to see me again. I’d wanted to invite her out for dinner. However, since she hadn’t been enthusiastic about us keeping in touch, I didn’t want to ask and sound desperate, so I was happy when she suggested it.

There we were, the next evening after our surprise reunion, and Cass looked as if she regretted our date. She shifted in her seat and looked around the restaurant warily as if she'd rather be anywhere else.

There was no way I could have fucked up already. We just walked into the restaurant. This woman had me feeling inept in the dating department… and we weren’t even really dating.

“Are you okay?” I asked. “You look disappointed with the venue.”

I looked around the restaurant—one of my favorites—wondering if I should have chosen somewhere else. This place was five-star and close to my office and the hotel Cass was staying at. The food was amazing, and I knew the owner, so we’d gotten a great secluded table without a reservation. I thought the soothing ambiance would be nice for conversation.

Cass’ eyes widened. “What? No. This place is great. It’s just…” She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “When I said dinner, I thought we’d go out for pizza or something. I wish you’d told me we were coming somewhere this fancy. I would have dressed accordingly.” She nibbled her lower. “Not that I packed for a fancy dinner.”

I assessed her in her vintage rocker shirt. She had on black jeans and half boots. My lips twisted into a smile. “Right. I’m sorry. Honestly, I thought you looked amazing when I picked you up at the hotel. I didn’t really think about the dress code for this place.” Sitting back, I blew out a breath. “If you feel uncomfortable, we can leave.”

She studied me through long, inky black lashes. “You really think I look amazing?”

I lifted an eyebrow. Was it me or was her confidence not on the same level as it was when I met her? I doubted the Cassandra I met months ago would have cared about my approval of her attire. “You look stressed as hell but, yes. Besides, if you can pull off a bridesmaid dress in a seedy bar, you can pull off jeans and that rad T-shirt in this restaurant.”

Her laughter drew out my smile. It was so airy and genuine. There was nothing forced about Cassandra Bennet and I liked that. “Well, if you dig my look, I’m fine. I was more worried about embarrassing you.”

I snorted. “Seriously?” Again, I swept her upper half. She was fucking gorgeous. She could have had on a potato sack for all I cared.

I should have been alarmed by my thoughts—I kinda was, to be honest. I mean, this was my second encounter with Cass and it would seem that I really was whipped. “Now that you know how ridiculous that is, you can relax.”

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