Page 112 of Pandora's Pleasure

I’d been counting down the days and minutes and seconds until I could see Damien again. But the man who’d swept me off to a romantic getaway on Sanibel Island was now gone. Maybe my perception of him had only been an illusion.

More agonizing still, I’d fallen for his ruse to get me to appear carefree in that lush vacation setting, giving the press all they needed to present the Godmans as kings of Washington.

They had needed me to perform and Damien’s charm had been a sure bet to get the ice maiden to crack so they could use me for his family’s gain. He’d snagged a living, breathing Bardot.

Tears stung my eyes as I pushed onward toward the restroom. Ironically, it was the same one Damien had brought me into during their last event three weeks ago. He’d stood over me as I’d peed with the same quiet contempt he had shown tonight.

Staring at my reflection in the mirror, I realized how much of my heart I’d given to him.

All of me.

Every facet of myself had been given to Damien and delivered with my own hands, no less. Those dark circles beneath my eyes, hidden by makeup, were evidence of all the sleepless nights I’d suffered.

Leaving the event wasn’t an option. Last time I’d left a Godman party, I’d been summoned into the Senator’s study.

I looked into bright eyes that were good at faking happiness—I’d had many years of practice to master the art of suppressing emotions. All I had to do was return to the ballroom and search out a glass of water to swallow this lump in my throat. Then I would continue to perform my duty, offer a willing smile at anyone who looked my way and engage in pleasant conversation.

Damien doesn’t love you.

I struggled to hide my grief for a relationship that could never be, dealing with regret because I’d promised myself I’d escape. Being away from him hurt. But what hurt more was knowing we could never have a truly loving relationship.

I left the restroom and saw Theo Tamer halfway down the hallway. He was leaning against the wall staring at his phone with his earbuds in, seemingly lost in thought.

I kept my eyes down as I walked past him.

“Hey,” he called to me.

Pausing, I turned and gave him a wary look. “Hi.”

Tamer was no doubt part of this conspiracy to manipulate me for the Godmans’ benefit. We’d had an “interesting time” at the Ritz Hotel but he’d proven he was on Damien’s side.

He removed his earbuds. “Heard you had fun on Sanibel.”

“You shouldn’t believe everything you read.”

“That came from Damien.”

“He set up some great on-camera moments.”

“You okay?”

“Don’t I look it?”

He stared at me. “Who upset you? I will hunt them down and make them pay.”

My response was a slight shrug and anothing can be doneexpression.

“Give me a whirl. I’m the go-to guy for the Powers That Be when shit needs fixing.”

“Something tells me I’m one of the problems.”

He closed the gap between us. “Haven’t I proven my loyalty?”

I stepped away. “To everyone else, yes.”

“Did someone say something?”

I headed down the hall. “Sorry to have interrupted your phone call.”