Chapter 20
Lila
“Damon!” 1 froze, gripping the thin towel wrapped around me as his imposing figure filled the doorway. His sharp eyes locked onto me, and for a split second, I forgot to breathe. “Sorry, I meant ‘Your Highness‘… you, uh, you surprised me.”
The air between us grew thick and heavy. Damon didn’t move, but his gaze alone sent shivers down my spine. His eyes flicked over my bare shoulders, then down to my towel–clad body. His expression darkened.
“My clothes,” I started, my voice unsteady with nerves, “someone took them.”
Damon’s jaw tightened. A muscle ticked in his cheek, but he said nothing.
A cold draft swept through the room, prickling against my damp skin. Instinctively, I huddled into myself, my fingers clutching the edges of the towel.
Damon‘ 5 eyes narrowed slightly before he let out a slow, almost exasperated breath. Then, without hesitation, he reached for the hem of his shirt and tugged it over his head.
I forgot how to speak.
Every flex and ripple of his muscles was bare in front of me, the broad expanse of his chest illuminated by the dim palace lights. My breath hitched. He was perfect; every sculpted inch of him exuding raw power.
Heat crawled up my neck.
“Put this
this on,” he said, his voice rough and firm as he handed me the warm fabric.
I hesitated, still stuck on the fact that Damon had just stripped in front of me like it was nothing. Then I realized I was standing in nothing but a towel, and my fingers moved on their own, quickly accepting the garment.
The fabric was soft and carried his delicious scent, exactly as I remembered it. My pulse fluttered as I turned away and hurried back into the bathroom to change.
His shirt was huge on me.
The hem fell mid–thigh, the sleeves too long, swallowing my hands. I tugged at the neckline, but there was no fixing the way it draped over me, the scent of him clinging to my skin.
I took a steadying breath before stepping out.
Damon was still there, standing with his arms crossed over his chest. His gaze swept over me the moment I emerged, and something in his expression shifted
His eyes darkened to a stormy shade and I felt the heat of his stare like a brand against my bare legs. My breath stuttered.
“I, um… I need to go back now,” I muttered hastily.
Damon’s head tilted slightly, his lips curling up into the hint of a smirk. Then, before I could take a step, he reached out.
Two fingers tilted my chin up, forcing me to meet his gaze. Much like the first time, but gentler.
“It’s not curfew yet,” he murmured.
My pulse hammered against my ribs.
+15 Bonus
“It doesn’t matter,” I whispered, resisting the urge to pull away. “This whole situation was a stupid prank. Someone –” I gestured vaguely at my missing clothes, “– took my clothes on purpose.”
Damon’s expression darkened further. His fingers grazed along my jaw as they left my chin.
“I’ll find out who did it,” he said simply.
I frowned. “It’s not that serious.”
“It is.” His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it. Something about the way he said it my teeth on edge. He would look into this, but not the hair pin incident? Once again, my mouth spoke before my mind could shut it down.
“The first time we met,” I muttered, “when I ran into you, you got angry too.”
because of the pin in my hair. But that was a set up
Damon’s brow furrowed, his gaze locking onto mine. For a moment, neither of us spoke. Then, to my surprise, his expression shifted–just slightly. He seemed to consider something before nodding, as if confirming a silent decision.
“I’ll investigate both,” he said “I won’t allow anyone in my palace to play these kinds of games.”
