Page 26 of Just One: Box Set

Chapter Eight

T he fastest way to sober up, Damon realized, was hearing the woman he thought he had lost to a past lover confess she loved him. Allison was gripping his shirt like she expected him to slip away, but all he could focus on were the words that had just tumbled from her lips.

"You love me?" he asked, his voice rough with emotion.

She nodded, biting her bottom lip nervously, clearly waiting for his reaction.

Damon felt a wave of relief crash over him, and without thinking, he blurted, “Thank fuck,” before crashing his lips onto hers in a heated kiss.

When they pulled apart, breathless, he laced his fingers through hers.

“Let’s go,” he said, tugging her through the lobby with a purpose.

He stopped briefly in front of Austin, the man who had thrown her away. “She’s mine now,” Damon said firmly, locking eyes with him. “And I plan to treasure her for the rest of my life.”

Without waiting for a response, he pulled Allison closer and headed for the elevator.

The second the doors slid shut behind them, Damon turned on her, pressing her back against the cool metal.

He captured her wrists, pinning them above her head as he kissed her fiercely, pouring every bit of love and desire he felt into it.

By the time the elevator dinged on their floor, they were both breathless, their bodies humming with need.

He didn’t waste a second. The moment the doors opened, Damon tossed Allison over his shoulder, ignoring her surprised yelp. “Damon!” she laughed, swatting at him playfully as he carried her down the hallway.

He fished the key card from her back pocket and kicked the door open, marching them straight into the bathroom.

He set her down on the counter and quickly stripped off his shirt, tossing it aside without a second thought.

His eyes locked on hers as he turned the shower on, the steam already rising around them.

When he stepped between her legs, her gaze was filled with pure, unfiltered lust. He ran his hands over her smooth thighs, savoring the way her skin reacted to his touch. Leaning in, he captured her lips in another searing kiss, his hands sliding up her legs to the waistband of her shorts.

“Lift,” he commanded softly, and she obliged, raising her hips just enough for him to pull the shorts down.

He dropped them to the floor, his breath hitching at the sight of her bare, glistening core.

No underwear. A low growl rumbled from his chest as he gripped the hem of her t-shirt and pulled it over her head, revealing her naked breasts.

“You weren’t wearing a bra?” His voice was rough, possessive, the thought of her walking around without one making his blood boil.

She shook her head, biting her lip as a wicked smile played on her lips. “No.”

The fire inside him ignited. “You sat across from that asshole, walked through the lobby, with these beautiful tits on display?” He pinched her nipple, making her gasp and close her eyes.

“These are mine, Allison.” He leaned in, sucking her nipple into his mouth, swirling his tongue around the hardened peak as his other hand gripped her ass, pulling her closer to the edge.

Damon couldn’t wait any longer. In one swift move, he buried himself inside her, the tight heat of her body surrounding him. "Oh, fuck," Allison moaned, her head falling back as her fingers dug into his shoulders.

He tangled his hand in her hair, tugging her head forward.

“Look at me,” he ordered, his voice rough with need.

“I want you to see how your tight little pussy takes me.” Her eyes dropped to where their bodies were joined, watching as he thrust into her with deep, powerful strokes.

“See how perfect we fit together? You were made for me.”

With a guttural groan, Damon lifted her off the counter, her legs wrapping tightly around his waist as he carried her into the shower.

The hot water cascaded over them, steam filling the stall as they moved together in a frenzy of passion.

Allison rode him like she was trying to tame him, their bodies colliding in a mix of flesh and need.

The sounds of their skin slapping and their moans echoed around them, the heat between them building with every thrust.

They stayed in the shower longer than either of them could keep track of, lost in each other, lost in the intensity of their connection.

By the time they finally turned off the water, their bodies were wrinkled from the heat, but they didn’t care.

Damon toweled off quickly before wrapping Allison in a towel and doing the same for her.

They brushed their teeth together, exchanging soft kisses between strokes, before heading back into the bedroom, fully sated and content.

“Hungry?” Damon asked, pulling her down onto the couch with him, her body curled against his as if she belonged there.

She nodded, smiling up at him. “Let’s call room service.” But then her voice softened, a hint of hesitation creeping in. “Damon?”

His fingers threaded through her damp hair. “What is it, sweetheart?”

“What happens when we leave for home in two days?” she asked, biting her lip nervously. “I mean… was this just like a Vegas fling? You know, what happens in Venice stays in Venice?”

Damon turned her to face him, his expression serious. He cupped her cheek, brushing his thumb gently across her skin. “No, Allison. This isn’t a fling. I want you to move in with me when we get back. Let me take care of you, love you the way you deserve. Let me show you what real love is.”

Her eyes widened, searching his face for any hint of doubt. “Move in with you?” she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Yes.” Damon’s fingers traced the line of her jaw.

“Allison, I’d marry you right now if you’d say yes, but I know it’s too soon.

So just… move in with me. Figure out what you want to do with your life.

If law school is still a dream, I’ll help you get there.

Come work with me and Harley at the firm, or don’t. Just let me love you.”

Allison’s response was immediate. She threw her arms around his neck, kissing him hard, pouring all of her emotions into the kiss. “Okay,” she breathed against his lips, her body relaxing into his. “I’ll move in with you. I’ll figure it out, but I know one thing—I love you, Damon.”

Damon’s heart swelled as he wrapped his arms around her. “That’s all I need.”

They stayed like that for a while, content just to be in each other’s arms, until Allison finally pulled back. “Let’s eat and then go to bed,” she said, stretching.

Damon stood with her, but before they could place their order, his phone rang from the counter. He saw it was Harley and grinned. “Probably wants to check in on us,” he said, showing Allison the screen before swiping to answer.

“Hey, kid—how’s it going?” But the second he heard the panic in her voice, his smile vanished. “Whoa, slow down. What happened? When? Jesus… okay, we’ll get on the next flight. Where’s Archer? Yeah, put him on.”

Allison’s hand found his, her eyes full of concern as she watched him.

Damon squeezed her fingers, trying to hold it together as Archer came on the line.

“Archer, I told Harley we’ll be on the next flight.

We’ll head straight to the hospital. Yeah, she’s with me.

” He paused, rubbing his temples. “I know. We’ll be there soon.

Just… take care of her and keep me updated. ”

He ended the call and dropped the phone on the counter, running a hand through his hair in frustration. “Damon, what’s wrong?” Allison asked, wrapping her arms around his middle.

Damon took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. “It’s Phillip,” he said, his voice strained. “He got hurt during a game. It’s bad, Allison. Harley said… it might be career-ending.”

Allison tightened her hold on him. “Oh my God. I’m so sorry. Go pack our stuff. I’ll make some calls and get us home.”

Damon nodded, pressing a kiss to her forehead before stepping back. Soccer was Phillip’s life—if he couldn’t play anymore, Damon didn’t know how his brother would cope.