After opening the door, he stepped inside, expecting to come face to face with battle. Instead, he found Milah curled up on top of his bed.
He closed the door quietly, not wanting to disturb her. Even from where he stood by the door, he saw she looked peaceful. Flicking the lock into place, he took a step toward her, and another.
With her guard down, she seemed even more beautiful. Her lips were slightly parted. One of her hands lay flat beside her face. Some of her hair had fallen across her cheek, and with each indrawn breath, it moved closer to her lips before it was pushed out as she exhaled.
He couldn’t resist moving some of her hair out of the way, just so he could admire her even more. At first, she didn’t wake. Just moved with a little frown, but she was still asleep.
Like this, so submissive, it would be easy to control her.
Milah wanted him to think she wasn’t a virgin, but he knew differently. She was innocent. No man had ever been between those luscious thighs.
He wanted to touch her. To run his hands all over her body.
Damon held himself back.
He saw her hand twitch slightly, and she moved just enough to let him know she was coming to.
He didn’t move back.
Waiting.
Poised.
Her eyes opened, and she jerked back, sitting up. “You’re here.”
Damon watched as she quickly wiped at her mouth, and he wondered if she’d been drooling, which he found absolutely adorable. What he also was curious about was why she cared enough about what he thought to remove it.
She was an odd woman. Gorgeous, no doubt about it.
“How are you, my sleeping kitten?” he asked.
She glared at him. “You know, it’s weird to stare at a woman sleeping. Kind of creepy, but I guess that is what a De Luca has to do in order to get his rocks off.”
Damon chuckled. “And my little kitten has the sweetest claws, I see.” He stroked her cheek, and she jerked back.
There was so much fire and passion within her gaze. He couldn’t help but admire her.
“Leave me alone.”
“You know I can’t do that, but the more you fight me, Milah, the sweeter your submission will be.”
“You’re crazy if you think I am ever going to submit to you.”
He pressed his body against hers, and just as he knew she would, she sank down to the bed, trying to get away from him. Milah was very easy to read.
She hated him. That was a given.
He didn’t like her either.
What her last name signified was nothing but revulsion to him. A name he intended to wipe out once he used her.
Every person had a part to play, and he wasn’t going to let Milah get away from hers. She would submit eventually, and he had all the patience in the world.
Milah had no choice but to spread her legs or risk them being trapped between their bodies. Doing so put his dick right against her core. The flimsy negligee she wore was no match for him.
She pressed her hands against his chest, and for her effort, he pinned them on either side of her head, locking her into place.
“Let me go.”
“You’re the one who wanted underneath me this whole time. I’m starting to think you like me.”
“Never. You’re a despicable human being.” She wriggled against him, using too much strength.
He didn’t want to exhaust her. The doctor had said she would be weak for some time.
Annoyed with himself for pushing her once again a little too far, he pulled away, giving her the space she needed.
“I’m going for a shower. You are quite free to come and join me.” He glanced down at her lips and couldn’t resist them. With a quick touch, he brushed his mouth against hers, and she gasped. He’d taken her by surprise because she’d let her guard down.
Pulling away, he smiled as he made his way into the bathroom.
He’d slid his knife from his holder before he left, without her seeing, and placed it on the bed.
Milah would use it. She’d come hunting for him.
Her need for revenge was too strong. Her hatred would make her do some stupid things.
After removing his clothes, he turned on the shower and waited for the water to heat up. Cold showers were never desirable to him. He much preferred the warmth of the water. With his fingers beneath the spray, he tested the water.
She should have found the knife by now.
He wanted to watch her, to see how easy it was for her to make this decision, but he didn’t put cameras in his own bedroom. Instead, her room was heavily guarded and filled with cameras so she could never experience a moment’s peace.
Tipping his head back, he heard the unmistakable sound of the door sliding open. The sudden stillness of it.
She’d fed right into his trap, and now, there was no escaping.
Milah was so easy to read. Her hatred of him would be her downfall.
Or her survival.