Page 50 of Damon

Just then, my phone buzzes in my pocket. The message across the screen makes my heart sink, and the guilt I have become familiar with flexes its muscles and takes more control.

Gone to bed. Enjoy your meal.

Realizing that I don’t want to leave the situation like this, I steel myself to go to her room. My feelings have been confusing me more every day. I flit between enjoying her company and being so terrified of her proximity that all I want to do is run. But the last thing I want to do is hurt her; she’s important, I know that. Harrison tells me I need to open my eyes and see the opportunity in front of me. I tell him that no woman will ever be hurt again because she’s connected to me.

As I climb the stairs toward the upper floor of my home, my hand double-checks that the envelope in my pocket is still where I left it. My slick fingers squeeze the white paper. On reaching her door, I lift my left hand and knock gently. Nothing. I knock again. A few seconds later, the door cracks open and she stands at the other side, peering at me through the gap.

“Is everything okay?” she asks, her beautiful blue eyes wide and unsure.

“No,” I reply. “I’m an asshole. Sorry.”

“It’s okay, it was inappropriate. I’m sorry I made you feel uncomfortable.”

“This is for you.” I pull the envelope from my pocket and offer her it through the crack in the doorway. She pulls the door open wider and takes it from me. “I hope along with accommodations and food you think it’s fair payment.”

She opens the envelope and pulls the handful of notes from the pocket. “It’s too much,” she says. “I don’t expect any payment for looking after Annie. You’re providing me with a home, and I still have a small salary from the law firm. They agreed to continue a partial salary until I can return.”

“I’m aware of that,” I tell her. “But you deserve to be paid for your time. At the end of the day, I offered you employment. That means you get paid.”

“I don’t want your money,” she retorts.

“What do you want then?” I snap back. Our gazes fix, and her eyes narrow. “Because if your little romantic restaurant is anything to go by, I could be forgiven in thinking you want some cock.” She visibly balks, and once again I chastise myself for being a bastard.

“Don’t flatter yourself,” she hisses. “You can keep your dick to yourself.” She moves to close the door, but I stop her by pushing my foot into the gap. The hard wood slams off my bare foot.

“Ouch,” I growl. “Watch it.”

“Well, stop fucking blocking my door. You’ve paid me, offended me, and ruined what could have been a nice night. The least you can do is let me go to my bed in peace.”

“Emma,” I say with a sigh. “Neither of us are stupid; we both know there is an attraction here. There’s no point in pretending there haven’t been moments that we almost crossed a line. I’m not denying that I find you striking, but I’m not ready for a relationship. There has only ever been Connie, and I’m not looking to replace her.”

“I didn’t offer to,” she snarls, but her voice breaks slightly. My determination to put an end to this connection between us wavers when I see pain in her eyes.

“As long as we are clear that this is still primarily a contractual arrangement. It doesn’t mean I don’t care, but there can be nothing more than an employer/employee relationship. You care for Annie, and I will ensure you have a home, food, money, and protection until you’re ready to move on.”

“I don’t need your protection,” she says, clearly aggravated.

“Yes, you do. And I need to stay sane by knowing that I’ve done all I can to help you.”

“Your sanity isn’t my problem.”

“Maybe not, but you are my fucking problem. I want to make damn sure you will not be getting yourself killed with your pigheadedness. As I said, until I’m satisfied there is no threat to your life, you will stay here under my protection.”

“Move your foot, Damon,” she says shortly. “My working hours are up. You’re now invading my personal time.”

I bristle, pissed off by her stubbornness and open hostility. Can she not see why I’m putting these boundaries in? Why we can’t let our relationship develop beyond this? It’s not right, and it can’t happen.

“Just tell me you understand.”

“I understand, now piss off.” I move my foot, and she slams the door closed.

Chapter nineteen

Titan MMA Gym

June 2022

Damon

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