Page 136 of Cruel Knots

“Do you want to dance?” Damien’s voice breaks me out of my thoughts.

“What? Yes...I mean... sure!” I blurt.

Warmth settles into his eyes as he extends a hand toward me. The moment I take it, he hauls me to my feet.

Damien leads me into an adjoining room. The music here is livelier and several couples are already on the floor, dancing. A quick look, however, shows me a distinct feature among them.

The men are far older than the beautiful women they’re dancing with.

Damien wraps his arms around my waist, drawing my attention away from everyone else.

My hands lock around his neck and within seconds, we’re moving to the tune being played.

I can’t believe I’m dancing with him. It’s a surreal moment, something right out of my fantasies.

“What are you thinking about?” Damien demands in a tight voice.

“I wanted to dance with you for the longest time,” I tell him. “This is what I wanted the night you kissed me for the first time. If Callum hadn’t interfered, we’d have danced all night.”

“Why can’t you get over that night?”

“Did you ever get over that day?”

He glares at me but continues to dance with me. Grabbing my arm, he suddenly twirls me away and then wrenches me back against his chest.

“You’re mine,” he hisses in my ear. “No matter what others say. No matter what you say, Lucia. You’re mine.”

The deadly possessiveness in his voice sends a thrill of danger through me, igniting a fire deep in my core. A moan escapes my lips and suddenly, I want him right here.

“Stop doing this to me,” I groan, letting my head drop on his chest.

The scars on his face bunch together to one side in a familiar expression. He’s smiling smugly.

We dance for the next four songs until my feet can’t take it any longer.

“I need a break,” I groan despite having the energy to dance more.

Damien stops and leads me to a corner. He helps me sit down on a couch and brings me a glass of champagne.

“Can I remove my shoes?” I ask, feeling the straps digging into my skin.

“Anything, love,” he says in a deep voice. “It’s your home now too. You can walk naked if you please. Just be aware that I’ll stab every male’s eye that dares to look at you.”

A chuckle escapes me. “This will be my home when you stop locking me in my room. Will you ever stop doing that? We both know I can’t escape this place on my own.”

“I’ll think about it.”

I stare at him. “You’ll let me be free?”

He gives a firm nod.

Jumping off the couch, I wrap my arms around his neck.

A chuckle escapes him. “You’re choking me, love.”

Loosening my hold, I look back at him. “Thank you!” I’m about to kiss him when a familiar figure comes into my vision. Breaking away from him, I greet Leon.

“You’re needed in the entrance hall,” Leon says. Gesturing toward me, he adds, “It’s my turn to look after her now.”

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