Adrianna Valdez POV
I stalked through the airport gazing around for Olivia. I had brought two pieces of luggage as I didn’t have a large one to stuff five whole months of clothing and shoes in them. I was craning my neck looking for my tall blonde friend when I crashed into someone.
“Watch it!” A man hissed at me, and I flinched in shock before glaring at him, but my tongue fell short the moment my eyes met his.
He was the best-looking man I’ve ever seen. He had amazing blue eyes, an aristocratic nose, full lips, high cheekbones and light stubble dusting his jaw. He was maybe around six foot two or three, and he had curly black hair.
“Done staring, darling?”
I gathered my thoughts (and wits) before staring at him with disdain, but it was a pity. Even though he was gorgeous, he acted like an arrogant, conceited arse. “Yes. I’ve seen better, and I would rather you not to block the path with your arrogant self.”
With that, I strutted off while shaking my head mentally. What was I doing, anyway? Ogling him. I shook my head. I couldn’t stare at other men. I was in love with Jake and always Jake.
After walking around for a few minutes, I finally spotted Olivia searching frantically around while Drake meddled with his phone behind her. I walked towards her, and her face brightened. “Hey, Adri!” She beamed and hugged me tightly.
I gave a smile to her and gave a light kiss on Drake’s cheek in greeting before taking a step back. “I’m so sorry we’re late, Adri. I completely lost track of time, and the next thing I knew, we were late!”
I nodded my head in acknowledgment before noticing a hickey on her neck. I smirked. “I see. It’s fine to lose track in your bed or anywhere in your house but, at least, tell me in advance.”
Drake barked out a laugh, and Olivia flushed. “How did you know?” She sputtered, her face now almost resembling something like a tomato. I mimed, rubbing my neck as I explained, “You have a something on your neck.”
“It’s actually in the hallway, Valdez,” Drake stated. I laughed while Olivia smacked him in the arm repeatedly. “So are we going now?” I asked for I was pretty exhausted. The journey had been long, and all I wanted was a nice warm bed to curl up into.
Olivia shook her head. “Oh, no, we’re picking up Drake’s friend as well, Damien. But I don’t see him around… Oh, wait there he is! Damien!” she shouted and waved her hand frantically.
I looked down at my heels suddenly noticing that they were slightly scuffed. These were new. I sighed and glanced up to see him. I gasped, and he narrowed his eyes towards me. “Adrianna, this is Damien Doukas. Damien, this is Adrianna Valdez.” Olivia introduced us, and I blinked. My tongue seemed to have disappeared… again.
Idiot.
“Nice to meet you, Adrianna darling. My name is Damien Doukas.” He held out a hand for me to shake, and I clenched my jaw, and my smile tightened.
He was Damien? I had to spend two whole months with this guy? I gingerly took his hand to shake, but instead, he kissed it gently and released my hand. I turned away uncomfortably, I didn’t have close contact with the opposite sex after Jacob’s death unless they were taken or married. But it was clear that Damien was a player, and thus, he was definitely not single.
“Nice to meet you. Can we please go now?” I directed the last statement to Drake, begging him with my eyes. Drake seemed to get my silent plea before taking Olivia’s waist. “Yeah, let’s go Trevor is really excited to have guests over.”
I grabbed my two pieces of luggage, headed towards Drake and felt an uncomfortable sensation. I glanced up to see Damien watching me. He leaned towards me and said huskily in my ear, “Looks like you have to stay with my arrogant self for a quite a while, Adrianna love. And meanwhile, I’ll get very acquainted with you.” His lips brushed my ear before kissing the hollow area behind my ear before walking off.
How on earth was I going to deal with him for five months?
Sitting in the same car as Damien Doukas was both infuriating and uncomfortable.
He could not keep his hands to himself, like for now, his hands slid across my thigh, drawing some random patterns with his fingertips. The feeling of his hands on my leg sent shivers down my spine. I glared at him and shoved his hand away from my leg.
Stop it! I mouthed to him, but he simply smirked. His hands crept across my thighs again, and this time, his fingers crept towards my inner thighs.
Immediately, warning bells sounded in my head. I slapped his hands away, and he recoiled. A frown marred his perfect features.
“Ow!” He cried out. He shot me a glare.
“Everything okay back there?” Olivia asked as she turned around in her seat. I smiled innocently. “Yeah. Damien killed a bug.”
Damien pursed his lips and remained silent for the rest of the ride back.
***
“They have a huge bed here. Wanna share it?” Damien asked me slyly the minute we stepped into the house.
“No, get over yourself. Not every woman you set your eyes on wants to sleep with you okay?” I scoffed and stalked off.
Damien trailed after me. “They never have a problem with it.”
“Well, I do. I do not like your attitude,” I snapped frostily and stared at him with thinly veiled disdain.
“My attitude?” Damien echoed with a bewildered expression on his face.
“Yes. That.” I stated in a hard tone.
Damien frowned before smirking again. “Despite you claiming that you don’t like me, I, for one, think that you’re attracted to me, and you hate yourself because of it.”
I bit my lip, debating with myself on how to respond. I shook my head and glared at him. “Dear God, I don’t want you. Can you not see that?” I sighed exasperatedly.
Damien grinned. “When it comes to you, I’m blind. Blinded by your beauty, that is.”
I rolled my eyes and tried my hardest to hide the grin that was threatening to appear on my face any moment.
“Do go away,” I instructed dismissively, and I turned around to walk away. I guess Damien didn’t appreciate being ignored as he pulled me against the solid length of his body. His arms wrapped around my waist, and I froze in shock. I could feel every bulge of his muscles through his buttoned up shirt.
He nibbled lightly on my earlobe, his hands caressing my waist. His hands parted my hair from my neck, and he planted sensual wet kisses down until his lips met the pulse in my neck.
“You say you don’t want me, but your heartbeat tells me otherwise, Adrianna love.” His husky voice rang through my ear. I bit my lip and shivered. He shifted, and I stiffened. I could feel his erection nestled between my butt. All I wanted to do was to turn around and kiss him senseless.
But what about Jacob?
Suddenly, it felt like cold water splashed through my mind mentally. What was I doing? I pulled away and glared at him firmly. “I mean it. I do not want you. I am sorry if that wounds your bloody ego or something, but I am serious.”
I huffed and walked off until Olivia brought Trevor to me. Immediately, my heart melted. Trevor was so adorable.
He had wispy blonde hair on his head, big blue doe eyes and chubby, rosy cheeks. He looked like a miniature version of Drake except for his blonde hair which he got from Olivia. He even had cute little dimples!
I gently took him from Olivia and cooed at him. “Hello, darling. I’m Adri, your godmother.” I played with his tiny hands, and he gurgled happily and grabbed my fingers tightly. Olivia grinned at me. “You’ll be a great mom, you know?”
I smiled uncomfortably. I couldn’t be a mom no matter how much I wanted to be one. I had to get married before being a mom. And I was never getting married. All my hopes and dreams died when Jacob had died as well.
“Right—”
Damien strolled up to me, and I hurriedly passed Trevor to him. I didn’t want to be in his presence for too long. He made me feel things that I shouldn’t be feeling ever. Those feelings of attraction were meant to be buried when Jacob was buried.
“Olivia, which room would I be having? I would like to take a nap for a while. I am quite tired,” I offered lamely, hoping Olivia wouldn’t notice my flimsy excuse. Olivia grinned. “Okay. Come on.”
I followed her quickly, quite aware that his stare was burning hotly into me. “Here! This is your room.” Olivia smiled at me, and I entered the room she offered.
The room was pretty huge. It had an en-suite bathroom, a walk-in closet, a red chaise lounge and a huge double bed. I blinked before saying gratefully, “Thank you.”
“I hope you like it! I missed you, Adri!” Olivia beamed happily at me before pulling me into a tight hug. I laughed and hugged her back.
“Remember the day at the airport?” I asked Olivia, a laugh threatening to burst from my lips. Olivia burst into laughter. “Yeah, Drake thought you were a guy. And he got a shock when he saw you.” I laughed until Drake spoke up.
“Yeah nice to see both of you laughing at my expense,” he said flatly, a red tinge appearing on his cheeks.
Olivia grinned and kissed his cheek. “I’m sorry. It was funny.” I stifled my laugh at Drake’s appearance as he sighed and rolled his eyes.
“Hey, where’s my son?” Drake asked curiously, looking around for Trevor. “Oh, he’s with Damien,” Olivia replied casually.
“Henderson, your son is crying,” Damien said passing a sobbing Trevor to Drake. Drake blinked and passed him to Olivia. “He’s hungry.” Olivia rolled her eyes at Drake before cuddling Trevor and walking off most probably to nurse him.
Damien slid his gaze towards me before a rakish grin crossed his face. “So Drake, where would I be staying?”
Drake shrugged and gestured. “There.” He pointed to the very room opposite mine and my eyes widened.
“Drake!” Olivia called out from down the hallway, and Drake gave us a shrug. “I’ll let you guys get settled down.” He hurriedly walked off when Olivia called him again.
“So Adrianna love, I heard you wanted a nap. Would you mind if I joined you?”
“Yes, I would.” I gritted my teeth before shutting the door in his face. Even though I knew that was a tad rude, satisfaction bloomed.
Changing out of my dress into a comfortable shirt and shorts before lying on the bed, the cold feeling of the chain around my neck made me feel guilty.
I clutched the ring on the chain around my neck and sighed. I shouldn’t be feeling anything for Damien — no sparks, no desire, and definitely, not wanting to kiss him no matter how much I wanted to.
But I couldn’t. Jacob will always be my one and only in my life besides my father. I could not give into what my body wanted. If I did so, I would be betraying him.
Even though he has been dead for seven years.
My conscience rang out. I sighed, rubbed a hand across my face, and decided to sleep. Thoughts of Damien flying across my mind as I slept.