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talie

My jaw dropped. I slammed the book shut, staring at the cover in shock.

This wasn’t some sweet romance. I quickly reached for another book that was tabbed.

Like the previous one, it opened on a sex scene.

Except this one was about a girl learning how to make lava cake—while she was tied on the kitchen counter.

Then the guy invited his two friends to join to do a taste test by putting the food on her.

My fingers gripped the book as I read the entire chapter, the scene playing in my mind like a movie.

My stomach fluttered, and I shifted on the chaise.

I had no idea books could be so hot. I was in utter shock Damian read these.

But I could see the appeal. I thumbed through the book, finding another tab.

After reading it, I put the book down only to pick up another one.

The next chapter I read wasn’t about sex, but a woman trying to communicate her needs to an asshole guy who apparently didn’t know how to listen.

I grabbed another book, not wasting any time going to the marked chapter.

This one was about a woman getting spanked.

With the man’s hand, then with a paddle.

My cheeks flushed as my lower stomach flared with heat.

I’d never been spanked, but reading this made me want to try it.

After a while, I put the stacks of books away, only to grab more. I settled back into my spot and continued to read. The scenes were all different. Some of them were about sex, while others were about relationships. He seemed to have every kind of romance. There were sweet ones and dark ones.

Time flew by, and I didn’t leave the cushion other than to grab more books. More than a few of them caught my attention so much that I typed their titles into my phone so I could come back to read the entire book.

My back was starting to ache from not moving, but I was too engrossed to stop. I had no idea books like this even existed. Maybe I should have read with Damian when we were younger instead of listening to music.

I nearly jumped when my phone went off. I dropped the book onto my lap to grab my phone. My heart lurched as I read the text.

Damian:

I’m coming home. I want you to join me in the dining room for an early dinner.

Annoyance shot through my veins at his summons. My pulse thudded at the same time. I was positive he wasn’t over what I did with the seafood last night.

Me:

No thanks. If we don’t have guests, then I have no obligation to pretend I enjoy being in your presence.

While waiting for his response, I piled all the books in my arms and raced back to the bookshelf. Before I could start putting them away, my phone went off again.

Damian:

That wasn’t a request. I’ll be home in fifteen minutes. If you’re not in the dining room, I’ll come looking. I have the key to the guest bedroom and every other room in the house. Don’t think you can hide from me.

“Asshole,” I mumbled. First thing tomorrow, I was using his credit card to buy myself a car if he refused to let me use one of his. It was bad enough I was stuck back in this city. I wasn’t going to be trapped in this house.

But I had no way to leave right now unless I called Char to come get me, and she was in the city now that school was about to start. I sucked in a breath before putting the rest of the books away, carefully placing the encyclopedias exactly the way they were before I’d moved them.

After grabbing the coffee mug, I rushed out of the library, closing the doors behind me. The hallway was empty, but the closer I got to the kitchen, I could smell something cooking.

“Hello, ma’am,” a man greeted me as I entered the kitchen. “Dinner should be done shortly.”

I smiled at him as I set the cup in the sink.

Harry was the chef, and while he’d greeted me in passing, I hadn’t had a conversation with him.

Harry was an older man, his short, silver hair flying in every direction.

He had a white apron on over his clothes, and the smile he gave me was still on his face.

When I introduced myself, he told me how long he worked here, and about all ten of his grandkids.

He was as cheery as Sylvia. They enjoyed working here.

A stark contrast to how Damian’s father ran his household. Christian’s staff was terrified of him.

“It smells delicious,” I said, peering at the pots on the stove.

“I hope you’re not a vegetarian,” he chuckled, then stopped abruptly. “I mean, if you are, I can cook something else?—”

“I’ll eat anything. I’ve loved all the food you’ve made since I came here,” I cut in with a laugh. “Thank you. If you’ll excuse me, I don’t want to keep my husband waiting.”

After nodding at me, he turned back to the stove.

I rushed out of the kitchen and into the half-bathroom across the hall.

After using the bathroom and washing my hands, I stepped back into the hallway.

My stomach growled, reminding me I hadn’t eaten anything today.

The coffee had been enough to hold me over, but now that I wasn’t engrossed in books, there was nothing to distract me from how hungry I was.

“You’re supposed to be in the dining room.”

I whirled around to see Damian in the foyer.

His dark blue suit fit him perfectly, and my mind instantly went back to one of the books I’d skimmed through.

It had been some kind of office romance where the guy had bent his secretary over his desk.

And fuck me, now all I could picture was Damian doing the same thing.

To me.

I swallowed thickly, trying to force the images from my head while Damian cocked his head, gazing at me curiously.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, striding closer.

“Absolutely nothing,” I muttered, my cheeks heating. “I’m starving.”

He was still studying me, but didn’t comment again on it. “Did you get dressed today?”

I glanced down at my sweats. “I’m wearing clothes.”

“Clothes you probably slept in.” His hand landed on my lower back, and he led me into the dining room.

“Does it matter?” I retorted. “It’s not like I have anywhere to go.”

He sighed. “You’ll find things to do. You know the wives go out to lunch during the week?—”

“Don’t,” I snapped. “That is not how I want to spend my days, and you know it.”

He pulled out my chair, waiting for me to sit down before taking the spot across from me.

This table felt way too large for only the two of us.

Someone had set up two places across from each other, complete with expensive china, long-stemmed wine glasses, and fancy placemats; the rest of the large table held only a vase of flowers.

“Good afternoon, Damian,” Harry said as he strolled into the dining room, his arms full with a covered tray.

“Harry.” Damian smiled at him as Harry set down the tray of food. “Thank you for making dinner early. How are Valerie and Brett?”

“Oh, running me ragged like always.” Harry laughed. “I love that my daughter lives with me, and how my grandkids are always running around. But coming here to cook is the perfect peace.”

“I’m glad,” Damian said. “You’re one of the best cooks in the city.”

I blinked, forgetting how charming he could be.

He fit into this world so seamlessly. The perfect, respectable businessman.

I’d never met anyone who didn’t like Damian Valentin.

He could put anyone at ease while closing a business deal at the same time.

I’d grown up around men like him all my life, and he was one of the best.

But I knew better. I was one of the few who saw Damian’s other side.

When his mask was off. He was the most comfortable when he wasn’t wearing a suit.

When he was dancing or hanging out with our circle of friends.

He never wanted to work with his father.

It was expected of him, like my father expected me to marry a man who would improve his business connections.

Harry excused himself, and my stomach flipped when he closed the dining room doors behind him. I had no interest in being alone with Damian after what I did last night.

“You said you were hungry.”

I looked back to see Damian lifting the tray lid off, revealing a mountain of delicious food.

On one side were mashed potatoes with butter squares on top.

An array of steamed veggies was spread on the other side of the tray, and meatballs with gravy on them sat in the middle.

My stomach growled loud enough to be heard.

Damian chuckled, handing me the serving spoon.

I narrowed my eyes at him. “What are you up to?”

“What are you talking about?”

“You’re being…” I paused, “pleasant.”

“I am?” he hummed out, looking amused. “You think I’m still mad about you hand feeding me seafood?”

I didn’t respond, deciding to focus on filling my plate with food. I could feel his stare on me, but I continued to put another meatball on my plate.

“There’s no rush, Talie,” he murmured. “Neither of us are going anywhere. I have plenty of time to repay you for last night’s dinner.”

I scowled, placing my full plate back in front of me. “I’m not going to be walking on eggshells, wondering when you’re going to strike back.”

“The Natalia I know would never be scared.”

“I’m not scared of you, Damian,” I bit out.

“Then why won’t you look at me?”

I lifted my head, my eyes snapping to his. He smirked wickedly, a smile he seemed to only use with me. Leaning back in his chair, he crossed his arms.

“Why did you demand I be here?” I asked stiffly. “We don’t need to eat together.”

“No, we don’t need to. But we will, because I want to.”

I straightened, defiance flowing through me. I had no doubt he was doing all of this to get under my skin. Joke was on him; I could rattle him just as much. He grabbed the spoon and began piling food on his plate.

“And if I don’t join you for meals?” I asked, smiling sweetly.

“Why don’t you do it and find out?”

Silence fell over the room as I stared at him, the words out of my mouth before I could stop them.

“What will you do? Spank me?”