Chapter 15
Apr 30, 2025
Damon’s POV
I was not expecting her lips. Hell, I wasn’t even expecting her. One second, I was sipping on my wine in peace, basking in the silence of my room with just a towel around my waist, and the next thing I knew, Miranda’s lips were on mine.
Soft. Warm. Surprisingly confident.
I didn’t move at first. I was stunned. Then my brain caught up to the situation, and something primal in me kicked in. My hand reached up to cradle her jaw, and I kissed her back.
She pulled away a second later, cheeks flushed and breathing slightly uneven. “Someone was watching,” she said quickly, eyes darting to the window.
I smirked, licking the taste of her lip gloss off my bottom lip. Cherry. Sweet. “That so?”
Before she could answer, I leaned in again and pressed my lips to hers. This time, I didn’t hesitate. I kissed her like I meant it. Like I’d been waiting to do it. Because maybe I had.
Her lips parted slightly, and I took full advantage, deepening the kiss, exploring her mouth as a low groan escaped my throat.
She pulled away suddenly, her fingers on my chest to push me back. Her eyes were wide. “Why did you kiss me?”
I just smiled.
“Was someone else watching?” she asked, scanning the window.
I shook my head. “Nope.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Then why?”
I leaned back, taking another sip of wine, smug. “Because I wanted to.”
Her lips parted, but no words came out. She shook her head, flustered. I couldn’t help but grin.
“You’re impossible,” she muttered.
“So I’ve been told.”
I set the wine glass down and stood to head to the bathroom.
I didn’t notice Miranda’s leg stretched out in front of me until my foot caught it. My balance tipped, and I stumbled forward.
“Damon!” she gasped, reaching out to grab me, but it was too late.
The damn towel.
It slipped. Gravity did its thing.
And there I was, all of me, completely exposed, sprawled awkwardly on the floor.
Miranda’s eyes went wide, and she immediately turned around so fast her hair slapped her in the face. “Oh my god!”
I laughed, not even bothering to reach for the towel right away. “Relax. It’s nothing you can’t handle.”
“Put something on!” she snapped, covering her face with both hands.
I grabbed the towel, still chuckling, and stood up slowly. “You sure you don’t want a second look? Might help you sleep better tonight.”
“Damon!”
“Alright, alright,” I said, wrapping the towel back around me as I walked toward the closet. “You’re no fun.”
“I am fun. Just not… that kind of fun,” she said, still facing the wall.
I glanced back over my shoulder. “You kissed me first, remember?”
“Because someone was watching!”
“Yeah. Still happened.”
She groaned and bolted toward the door.
“You running away now?”
“I’m preserving what’s left of my sanity. Get dressed!”
I got changed quickly, navy suit, white shirt, two buttons left open at the top because ties are the devil. As I fixed my cuffs, I caught a glimpse of my reflection. My hair was still slightly damp, but the smirk on my face was full power.
I liked rattling her. She was usually so poised, so polished. But when she was flustered, she was real.
And I liked real.
I found her waiting outside the dining area. Her arms were folded across her chest, and she was chewing the inside of her cheek, a nervous habit I’d noticed before.
“Miss me?” I asked casually.
She shot me a glare but said nothing.
I stepped closer and took her hand, bowing slightly to kiss her palm. Her eyes flickered with surprise, but she didn’t pull away. I pulled out her chair like a gentleman and gestured for her to sit.
“What are you doing?” she asked under her breath, looking flustered.
The rest of the family looked on, clearly entertained by the spectacle. My mother raised an eyebrow, clearly approving and my youngest sister winked at me.
