ANNA’S POV
The realization hit me like a slap to the face. One second, I was saved from the grips of a horrible, harrassive man I called boss for over a year, and the next minute, I was clutching his shirt, kissing him like my life depended on it.
"Oh my God," I breathed out, covering my mouth with trembling fingers. "What am I doing?"
Damien’s hand remained on my arm, anchoring me in place. His eyes, those deep, molten eyes, didn’t look away for even a second. I expected anger, confusion, hell, maybe even disgust, but all I saw was something raw. Protective.
And strangely hungry.
I tried to wriggle out of his grip, but he only pulled me closer, like he couldn’t help himself.
His hand slid up my arm, brushing my hair back from my face, and before I could react, he pressed his nose into the curve of my neck and inhaled deeply.
I froze.
"Damien?" My voice was a pathetic whisper. “Sorry, Mr. Domingo.”
He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he kept his face buried against me, his breath warm against my skin.
His body was burning hot, unnaturally so. It was like holding onto a furnace. His skin felt feverish, almost scalding where it touched mine, yet I didn’t move. Couldn’t move.
This wasn’t normal.
I pulled back slightly, trying to meet his eyes, but he tightened his grip for a moment longer, like he was struggling with something internal.
Finally, with a heavy sigh, he released me and leaned back against the car seat, raking a hand through his messy black hair.
I pressed myself against the door, needing distance.
"I shouldn't have done that," I whispered, my voice rough.
He shook my head, his hands clutching his mind for a moment before he finally let go. "I don't care."
I didn't know what else to say.
"Thank you," I whispered again, staring at him watched me with those intense blue eyes.
"For what?" he asked, confused.
"For saving me."
Damien’s expression darkened slightly. "I only wish I'd gotten there sooner.”
The car eased out of the parking lot, and Damien's driver gave us a quick glance in the mirror before focusing back on the road.
Damien clenched his jaws at that moment, so tightly I could see the muscle ticking.
"You should’ve called me," he said lowly. "I told you. If he harassed you again... you were supposed to call me."
I swallowed hard, guilt blooming in my chest. I fiddled with the hem of my skirt, avoiding his eyes. "I... I didn’t think you meant it."
He let out a harsh laugh. "Why the hell would I say it if I didn’t mean it, Anna?"
"I thought you were just being polite," I mumbled.
He cursed under his breath, something sharp and furious. I flinched.
The silence stretched between us, thick and uncomfortable. I couldn’t stand it anymore.
Gathering every ounce of courage I had left, I turned to him, my voice trembling as I asked, "How did you know?"
His brow furrowed. "Know what?"
"That Joseph was harassing me." I forced myself to hold his gaze. "And... why were you even in L.A.?"
Damien looked at me for a long, long moment. His eyes softened just slightly. "I was in L.A. because of you."
I blinked, stunned. "What?"
"I came because of you," he repeated, more firmly this time. "I knew and had a feeling Joseph would blame you for my rejection. And I couldn't..." His voice trailed off, something unspoken lingering in the air between us.
I stared at him, completely thrown off balance. "You... you came all the way here... to make sure I was okay?"
He gave a short nod. "Yeah."
The emotions crashed over me all over again, like a tidal wave I hadn’t braced for. My throat closed up, and I fought the tears pricking my eyes.
Damien leaned closer, his voice gentler now. "Anna. You don’t have to go back there."
I shook my head violently, wiping my eyes with the back of my hand. "I need that job, Damien. It's not just a paycheck. It's my rent. It's… It's... everything."
He studied me silently for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then he sat up straighter, his tone shifting into something more decisive.
"Then come work for me," he said.
I blinked, certain I had misheard him. "What?"
"You heard me." A small smirk tugged at his lips. "Do I look like I'm joking right now? Come work for me. Be my personal assistant."