Page 7 of Unsure in Love

Our eyes collided. Those bottle green orbs that smoldered with intensity and curiosity did something to me every time. When she held me with her stare, I was hit in the chest with this strange, warm sensation. I didn’t even want to analyze what the hell it was. Cassandra shifted from one foot to the other as if she was feeling the heat too, and it made her uneasy.

“Hey, Damian.” Her cheeks took on the prettiest shade of pink.

The breathy quality of her tone stirred my hormones to life. It was the strangest thing. What was it about her that made me feel like I was coming alive?

“She knows your name,” Benny muttered and nudged me with an elbow.

Cassandra’s eyebrows pinched together, and she regarded Benny with a hint of annoyance.

I sighed inwardly. The guys were totally killing my game. If only I could ditch them. But as the “new guy,” I didn’t want to appear impolite. Luckily, Cassandra gave me the perfect escape.

“Let me buy you a drink, Damian.”

My lips twitched. She didn’t ask but demanded. “Sure.”

She tilted her head to one side as she regarded me with sharp eyes. I wondered what went through her mind as she smiled and turned to walk away. I watched her saunter back to her spot at the other side of the bar without a backward glance as if she knew it would be impossible for me not to follow.

It was impossible. I was so intrigued by her that ‌I had no choice but to go where she led. Her bold allure hypnotized me.

My drinking buddies chuckled. For a moment, I had forgotten they were there. “Gentlemen, excuse me. The lady wants to buy me a drink.”

“I bet you’re going to get more than that,” Callen said. “You lucky bastard.”

“What do you have that I don’t?” Clive grumbled, but he wore a good-natured smile.

“It’s called swag fellas.” Benny laughed. “Of which neither of you have.”

Clive snorted. “And you do?”

Skepticism laced his words, making me smile as I walked away. I didn’t know why I caught Cassandra’s eyes, but I sure as hell knew why she caught mine. She was an intriguing woman.

4

CASS

My heart still danced as I watched Damian walk toward me. His steps were unhurried and full of confidence. I gulped, feeling nervous again. The anxiety I felt wasn’t bad. I’d never encountered a man whose presence made me feel so... alive.

Earlier, when he held me in his unwavering stare, I was nervous beyond belief. Did he not like me? Maybe the spark between us was all in my head. I had no idea what to think, and I’d been intimidated. But then he accepted my offer of a drink, and my hope blossomed.

“Get yourself together,” I told myself. He was just a man. A very swoon-worthy enigma of a man, but still… just a man. My palms were sweaty, so I wiped them down the sides of my dress and threw on my unflappable mask.

Damian arrived, and I had to crane my neck to study his face. His dark, hooded eyes were unreadable—which annoyed me. I felt more at ease when I had an idea of what people were thinking. His angular features were sculpted to perfection and there was a five o’clock shadow darkening his square jaw. He was ruggedly handsome. No, he was beautiful.

Everything about him just seemed right, down to his jet black hair cut in a cool-ass tapered style and the tattoos I spotted peeking out from the sleeves of his t-shirt. I snorted inwardly. Men shouldn’t be allowed to look that good. It usually made them too conceited. But I didn’t get that vibe from Damian.

I smiled, and his gaze dropped to my mouth. My breath hitched. He didn’t look away. His eyes lingered as if he didn’t care if I knew he was checking me out. Quiet but not shy. I liked that.

“I’ll have what you’re having,” he said and sat down. Damian glanced at me with raised brows when I laughed. “What’s so funny?”

“I was almost sure you’d walk over here and insist that you buy me a drink instead.”

“You offered to buy me one. Why would you assume that?”

I gave him a once-over, taking in the Rolex gracing his left wrist and the shoes that looked like they cost a fortune. It made me wonder what else he did other than serve our country.

“I guess I generalized based on most interactions I’ve had with the opposite sex.” They all went overboard in trying to assert their dominance, but not Damian. He didn’t have to try. Masculinity naturally oozed from his pores. He wore power and dominance like a second skin. I was thoroughly attracted. “I apologize for throwing you into a certain category without getting to know you, Damian.”

“You want to get to know me?” The cadence of his smooth baritone never once changed, so I didn’t know how he felt about that.

---