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I shrug, refusing to give him any further ammunition against my heart. Even though it’s already pretty much his at this point.

“Can we not talk about it?” I mumble.

He chuckles, “Alright, sweetheart. I’ll give you a pass. Mostly because I’m more interested in fucking you right now. You have no idea how sexy you look wearing my shirt.”

A couple of words has my entire body heating. I feel my pussy tighten with the memories from last night and the anticipation of what’s to come.

God, why did he have to be so good looking?

It’s not even just about his looks. From the minute I met him, Damien hasn’t once pretended to be something he’s not. He’s straightforward, brash and sure there are layers to him that should terrify me. But then I remember how he’s treated me all this while, like I’m something special to him. Someone he can’t lose. Everything else falls away in the face of that. Because the truth is, I fell for him all those years ago but I thought it was just a crush on my one night stand. After realizing that it was Damien all along, it almost feels like fate crazily.

I smile before climbing on top of him, straddling his thighs.

“You’re pretty irresistible yourself, Mr. Luciano,” I tell him before leaning forward and kissing him.

Soon enough, he’s fucking me hard enough that I forget that I’m choosing to be with a monster.

***

The walls of my father’s old office are lined with the same walnut shelves and leather-bound books that have been there since I was a child. I remember sneaking in here once, barefoot and in pajamas, to sit in the massive leather chair behind the desk. My dad’s chair. It used to make me feel so close to him to be in here.

Now I feel nothing as I sit here. It might have a lot to do with the fact that my uncle’s made the chair his. I had no idea he moved into the house at all. I guess it makes sense. It’s better than leaving it empty.

“How are you feeling, Cassie?” he asks, kindly. “Would you like something to drink? Tea? Coffee?”

I shake my head gently, folding my hands in my lap, “No, thank you.”

I guess I’m just a little shaken. My dad’s will was just read a couple minutes ago. It felt final listening to his last wishes. Empty in a sense. After the lawyer left, my uncle guided me into his office to talk.

“So how are you feeling? Your father named you CEO.”

It was completely expected. He saw me leading the company he worked hard to build one day. But the prospect doesn’t feel me with anything. I have no interest in running the company. The question though, is who will.

I shift in my seat, meeting my uncle’s gaze, “It’s a huge responsibility. A whole company, thousands of employees. Contracts, shareholders, meetings. I’m not sure that’s meant for me.”

I look up at my uncle and it’s impossible to notice the brightening in his eyes. Although he does keep up with the calm demeanor.

“Your father wanted this for you,” he points out.

“I know, I know. But he’s not exactly the best at making decisions for me is he?” I ask, spitefully.

Uncle Miguel sighs, “If he was alive, that wedding would have never happened.”

“But it did. That’s not the point though. We have to make the right decision for the company.”

“And that decision is?” he presses.

“You’ve been with the company for decades. You worked with my father to build it. you know the ins and outs better than anyone, uncle. It would make sense to make you CEO.”

He smiles. It reaches his eyes, eyes that I’ve trusted my whole life.

“That’s a great decision, Cassie. One your father would have been proud of.”

I hesitate. Before Damien dropped me off this morning, he looked me in the eye and asked me not to make any rash decisions regarding the company. He told me he would explain later. And for some reason, I want to listen to him.

“Uncle, actually, maybe we should just slow things down. I don’t want to make a hasty decision,” I say.

“I understand,” he leans back in his chair, steepling his fingers. “There’s something holding you back.”