Page 40 of Sticks & Serpents

The meeting droned on, and each passing minute only tightened the knot of excitement twisting inside me. Each time Holly shifted in her seat or stole a glance at me from the corner of her eye, it felt like another victory tucked under my belt.

She glanced down at her notebook again, scribbling furiously as if that might help deflect what was happening between us. But deep down, she knew she couldn’t escape it—not this time.

“Come on, little lamb,” I whispered softly enough for only her to hear, “you can’t pretend forever.”

Her jaw clenched tightly as she shot another glare my way, but it didn’t have its usual bite. Instead, there was an almost vulnerable quality about it—a hint of desperation that made my heart race.

I loved this game we played—the back-and-forth where we both knew who held the upper hand yet refused to acknowledge it fully. And as long as she kept letting me win? I'd keep pushing until she admitted defeat and came willingly back into my arms where she belonged.

When the meeting wrapped up,Holly bolted out of the room, her footsteps echoing down the hallway. I expected nothing less. The moment I leaned into her space, she’d become a wild animal ready to flee.

I trailed behind her, moving at a deliberate pace. Not fast. Not aggressive. Just a quiet shadow that lingered in her wake.

She rounded a corner and ducked into a small supply closet, likely to grab those damn event banners the committee had mentioned earlier. I paused outside for just a second, letting her think she had escaped me.

Then I followed her in, closing the door behind me with a soft click that sealed us off from the world outside. The small space was cramped, cluttered with supplies and equipment—the scent of paint and cardboard enveloped us like an old memory.

“Damien?” Her voice wavered slightly as she turned to face me, surprise flashing in her eyes before it morphed into annoyance.

I leaned against the door casually, crossing my arms over my chest while watching her flustered expression. “You didn’t really think you could get away that easily, did you?”

“Get away?” She scoffed, though there was an edge of uncertainty in her tone. “I’m just grabbing?—”

“Banners? Yeah, I know.” I took a step closer, invading her space as I watched the way she held herself rigidly. “But it’s not about the banners anymore.”

Her eyes narrowed, but they held something else—something beneath the surface that tugged at me like a fishing line.

“I don’t have time for this,” she said through clenched teeth, but even I could hear the tremor lurking beneath her bravado.

“Too bad,” I replied smoothly. “Because now you’re stuck with me.”

She opened her mouth to protest, but before any words could escape, I reached out and locked the door behind me. The click echoed in our small prison, amplifying the tension crackling between us.

“You’re locking us in?” Her incredulity mixed with apprehension sent a thrill coursing through my veins.

“Just until we talk,” I said evenly, not breaking eye contact as my smirk returned. There was no fear here—only an exhilarating rush of power that surged within me each time she challenged me.

Holly’s breath hitched slightly as she processed what was happening—my presence dominating every inch of space around us while the air thickened with unspoken words and emotions that threatened to spill over at any moment.

“You can’t just?—”

I cut her off, stepping forward until our bodies nearly brushed. “I can do whatever the fuck I want, little lamb”

She backed up against the shelving, her breath hitching as she realized there was nowhere to go. The moment felt electric, charged with an intensity that made my heart race. I planted my hands on either side of her, creating a barrier that held her in place.

“Say it,” I demanded, lowering my voice to a low growl that sent shivers down my spine.

“What?” she replied, defiance still flickering in her eyes.

“That you still want me.”

Her head shook instinctively, but I noticed the way her breath stuttered, how the fire in her gaze dimmed just slightly. It was a crack in her armor, one I intended to exploit.

I tilted her chin up with a finger, forcing her to meet my gaze. “Liar.”

The moment stretched between us, heavy and thick. Her pulse quickened under my touch, and I felt the heat radiating off her skin. She opened her mouth as if to argue, but no words came out. Instead, she swallowed hard, and for a split second, uncertainty clouded those fierce eyes of hers.

“Damien—” she started but faltered again as I leaned closer.

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