FORCED TO BE HIS

rie'

earlier than required. I am hoping to use the few minutes to calm my ner

I step onto the tarm

te jet, dressed in a crisp navy-blue suit, phone pressed to

ing around the strap of my pur

h, walking towards

up the steps, and disappearing into the jet. For

et someone else take this damn trip. Before I can dwell on it too

at," the woman says kindly,

ntrance, I mutter a quiet, "Thank you," and quickl

tract myself with my phone, but it is impossible not to notice the

aning a little too close. Damien doesn't push

screen of my phon

tands up and casually strolls

paying attention. I am

table beside me, starts buzzing relentl

e Conference Coordinator. My stomach twis

ry warning bell in my head, I

then moaning, making me slow down. The door to the staff

hungrily devouring one of the flight attendants,

urn back, to pretend I saw nothing, but bef

from Damien immediately

looking surprised or guilty, he smirks. That arrogant, kn

ing at me like

gestures for me

urn on my heel, shoving the phone in his hands witho

and arrive at the re

he last thirty minutes hadn't happened. That I did n

e did not even ca

bby, Damien leaves me stan

ceptionist. "Hi, I'm checking

ely. "Oh, the gentlema

"I'm sorr

tures toward Damien'

sinks. No

strides make it difficult to catch up, but I f

I demand, barely hold

inside. "

open. "Wait, yo

me an unimpressed glance before tossing his

face heat

ears inside, leaving me standin

days." I whis

days of pretending. Two days of k

I walk inside and

the minibar, casually

and before I can embarrass myself, I dar

Damien as much as possible, ke

feel proud of myself. No awkward enc

ep out of my room

athtaking red gown, delicate and

each out and trace the f

f it. I pick it up, unfoldi

y. Come down to the gala.

t skips

ien leave this for me? Is this some kind of game? Has he finally d

n talk myself out of it, I hurry to freshen up,

mirror, I barely

beautiful. Taking a deep breath, I step

my eyes immediately

ding near the b

very step making my nerves spike. Howeve

ps aside, and I gasp in shock, bec

Eth