“It’s not going to help when Selina saw you with Lauren today too D,” said Steve.
“I thought you got rid of her,” said Theresa.
“She showed up today right when I was going to the deli for lunch. Selina was there and saw us. As she got up to leave, Selina dropped her salad on the floor. I got up to help her.”
“Did she brush you off?” asked Denise.
“Pretty much.”
“You have a bit of work to do Damien. If Selina is even remotely interested in you, you basically have to earn her trust.”
“Ok, ladies, I’ll be the King of the Grovelers.”
“Oh this is going to be something to see,” laughed Steve.
“She is worth it guys.”
The limo came to a stop right in front of her building. No Selina. DT heard our whole discussion and while he would never interject into the conversation, he always had my best interest at heart and knew exactly what needed to be done.
“Hey Boss, I’ll go ring her. Be right back.”
Watching DT speak to security, I just sat back in my seat. I’m wondering if she is going to defy me and not show up. DT gave us thumbs up thru the window.
“Don’t worry D. It’s going to be just fine. We are here to help.” Denise tried to reassure me. Oh, that’s precious. The ladies are going to help me. I looked at Steve and Tom. The three of us started laughing.
“Oh good, here she is,” announced Denise.
As I looked over at the main entrance, I see a flash of magenta and two gorgeous legs in about three inch heels walking over to security. DT held the door open for her and if I wasn’t sitting down, I would have fallen down. The magenta dress looks like it was poured on her, form fitting and stunning with her dark hair, olive skin and those topaz colored eyes.
“Hey D, close your mouth. Remember grovel, not drool,” smiled Denise.
As I watched Selina walk towards the limo, she smiled up at DT over something he said to her. I have to admit, I was jealous that gorgeous smile wasn’t directed at me. I’m losing it big time. I hope by the time the evening was over, she would be on her way to forgiving me. I don’t know what I would do if she didn’t but pushing that thought aside, I have my ways to win her back. I opened the limo door and got out to meet her. Walking over to her, I offered her my arm which I was glad that she took. Leaning close to her ear, I caught the sexy cologne that lingered on her neck and hair.
“I know I shouldn’t say this but you look stunning.”
“No you shouldn’t.” As she stopped on the sidewalk, I motioned DT towards the driver seat.
“Let’s make something clear Mr. Stone. You are my boss and I am your employee. What happened a few days ago will not happen again. I would appreciate that we keep this professional so I can do the job that I was hired to do.” Moving her arm from mine, she walked the rest of the way to the limo on her own accord. Damned if I didn’t want to grab this woman, throw her over my shoulder and basically have my way with her.
Now I know that this wasn’t going to be easy but I love a challenge. Selina looked so adorable when she was angry but I let her think that I was agreeable to her demand when I didn’t say a word. As she got into the limo, I heard the girls introducing themselves to her as I climbed in right after her. My eyes caught Tom and Steve’s in an understanding of my task at hand as the girls wanted to know where Selina bought that dress. Hearing the name of Selina’s favorite boutique, I filed that away for future gifts for her. I plan on making this a mission with this groveling thing.
I was taking everyone out to the Midnight Garden for dinner, drinking and some dancing. Noticing that the guys were holding their wives hands, I put mine across the back of the seat behind Selina and made sure my leg was lightly touching hers. She kept moving it over but really didn’t have any room unless she started touching Steve’s leg, so I had her there. Seeing her look up at me, I kept my eyes averted from hers. I could feel the annoyance radiating off of her. I’ll let my little Princess have her day with her anger attitude towards me but my patience was starting to wear thin. By the end of the night, I plan on this attitude being a thing in the past. Bringing my mind back into the conversation, Denise congratulated me on finding someone like Selina to do amazing work in the company. Besides Geology, I found out that Selina loved the water, had her scuba diving credentials and planned on doing several dives with the team at Stone.
“That’s not necessary,” I blurted out loud.
“Excuse me?” Selina responded back to me with an edge to her voice. “This is what I do Mr. Stone. It’s part of my job so I can see firsthand what is going on at the rig.”
I saw Theresa and Denise both stare at me with matching frowns on their faces. This night wasn’t going well for me right about now, I need a drink and to fix it.
“Let me explain Selina. I didn’t know that you would be part of the dives and I have a complete team that handles that work for us. Forgive me for watching after your wellbeing.”
“I can take care of myself Mr. Stone and have already connected with the team’s Captain. I’ll be doing my first dive with them tomorrow.”
“Now that sounds exciting Selina,” gushed Denise. “It must be an incredible world underwater. Now I am very envious of your job.”
“I love excitement of diving, the serenity of the underwater world and the creatures that inhabit it. It’s very calming.”
“Well, I can see how you look forward to it,” said Steve. “Our team is one of the best.”
“I look forward to learning from them.”
Listening to their conversation, I saw that we had arrived at the Midnight Garden. I made a mental note to be on the rig tomorrow when she was doing the dive. I wanted to be on hand if God forbid anything happened. I couldn’t help but feel responsible and protective towards her. Now if I can only win her over.
DT opened the door and I moved out of the limo first. Reaching my hand towards Selina, she made a slight hesitation before placing it in mine. As I helped her out of the car, I gave her a little smile and squeezed her hand. She was clearly not happy about the diving conversation. Now it’s another error that I have to correct. Just as I suspected: Selina is strong willed and stubborn. I’ll add in intelligent and incredibly sexy. Waiting for everyone to exit the limo, I told DT that we would probably be done by midnight but would text him if we were finishing up earlier.
Watching the women all go to the door together, Steve, Tom and I just stood there admiring them. The blonde, brunette and a redhead; all stunning women who had several other men just watching them enter the restaurant. I thought of Charlie’s Angels as they walked ahead of us. I wouldn’t put it past these three being able to run a country.
“We are lucky guys,” said Tom.
“Yep,” said Steve.
“I hope so,” I added. “Let’s go before some others move in for them.”
Laughing together, the three of us walked into the restaurant. I saw several women looking at us too. I could care less. All I could think about was the sexy woman in the magenta dress.
Chapter 19: Dinner Date/ Selina’s Story
I couldn’t help my heart racing out of my chest. I prayed Damien didn’t hear it pounding away. He got out of the limo to meet me and I was ready to throw myself in his arms. That Armani suit with the crisp white shirt unbuttoned at the collar made me want him more than I ever thought possible. Oh God, I want to have his baby. It was insane, pure lust and something more that I didn’t figure out yet or didn’t want to. I remembered the body that was under those clothes and had to calm myself down just thinking about it.
I kept to my program. Like Julia said, make him earn it and I plan on doing just that. I kept myself frosty towards him but knowing him the brief way I do, I know he was just appeasing me. He was a powerful man, a pure alpha male. He would accept my attitude only so far as he already stated that I was his. Well, I can play the game too. I knew this dress knocked him for a loop just by his reaction. His words to
me were perfect for my answer. As my Boss, he shouldn’t say those things to me but secretly I really loved it.
I tried to keep my leg from his when we sat in the limo but didn’t have room to maneuver. I thought that maybe Steve kept his leg there so I couldn’t move it. In fact, I was almost certain of it but God bless the girls. I knew I had Theresa and Denise in my corner, especially when Damien tried to assert his caveman tactics about me not going on the dives with the team. One thing that Damien will learn is that I take my job very seriously and everything that goes with it, I will be a part of. I won that battle.
Loving that he helped me get out of the limo, I made myself hesitate a brief second to give him a reason to think that just maybe I would get out of the limo myself, but I gave in. Another reason to feel his hand in mine was exciting. Even though it was a brief touch, I felt the current of attraction which I’m sure he felt as well.
Deciding not to wait for the guys, Denise, Theresa and I walked towards the entrance by ourselves for a fun night of dinner and dancing. We heard the music playing and the three of us were excited for a night out. Theresa whispered to me to play hard to get and not to worry. Denise agreed and the three of us turned on the charm to the doorman knowing that the guys were watching us. They would speak more to me when they had the chance but now we were going to just enjoy the evening.
As we walked into the restaurant, it was breathtaking. It was in a beautiful garden setting, hence the name Midnight Garden. The lighting was subtle and very romantic. There was even a water fall in the corner of the room with Koi fish swimming in the tank. Whoever designed this was a genius. Seeing that the guys caught up with us, I felt Damien stand by me as the Host greeted him. I was so attuned to him that I didn’t even have to look to know he was there.
Our table was a little behind schedule which was fine with Damien. He informed the Host that we would be in the bar area for a few drinks. Walking us towards a beautiful bar area, I felt Damien put his hand on the small of my back to escort me to a table. His hand burned right thru my dress and marked me with his possessiveness. How would I get thru this meal with him so close to me? He seemed to sense my reaction to this as I caught his smirk as he looked down at me. Being a total gentleman, he pulled out his chair for me as did Tom and Steve for their wives. Taking charge ordering me a vodka/cranberry and a scotch for himself, this brought back memories and the trouble it got me in. I’ll have one drink to relax and then have water for the rest of the night. As our drinks came to the table, Damien handed it to me as he clasped my fingers with his. My hand shook a little as I took the glass from him. I took several big sips of it, the alcohol hitting my stomach like a brick. Leaning over to me, Damien put his lips to my ear.
“Careful Princess, you know how you are when you drink.”
I just felt chills down my body as his breath teased the sensitive skin by my ear. Looking at the girls, they gave me a little smile as they watched what was going on. My plan wasn’t working but I had to stay the course. This man was the devil himself. He already had the right name, Damien, as in the Omen series. He certainly was the devil come to life. I have to keep this professional.
At the right moment, Dawn said she had to use the ladies room and asked if Theresa and I would join her. Absolutely. I think I responded a little too enthusiastically but I have to get my balance back when dealing with Damien. Besides I needed to speak to the girls. Excusing ourselves, we made our way to the ladies room. Dawn checked under the stalls and said we were in the clear before Theresa started talking. This night was taking on a feeling of a covert operation.
“Listen Selina. We know what happened on the flight. Not all of the delicious details but we know. We also know that Damien has real feelings for you. Steve told us. We can also see that you have some kind of feelings for Damien too but you are fighting it. Good for you as it was shitty for him to do this to you but I understand why he did it.”
“You sound like my friend Julia. I told her what I did on the plane and she was thrilled for me. I just had dumped my fiancé and well, she wanted me to have fun to get the asshole out of my system. Well, things just got out of hand on the flight. God, Damien is incredible. I can’t believe I just admitted that to the both of you. But he’s my Boss!”
“If he doesn’t care, why should you? You are both gorgeous together. I’ve known him a long time. Steve and Damien went to college together after Damien got out of the service. He has never acted like this with any other woman.”
“That’s for sure,” agreed Denise. “It’s almost comical to see him suffering and dying over you. Keep the hard act up a bit more; make him work for you and then just enjoy the fireworks.”
“I saw him today in the deli with a blonde on his arm.”
“Oh that tramp Lauren. They have been done for quite awhile but she is still clinging to him. Just watch out for her. I think she would stop at nothing just to keep him.”
“On a serious note, we love Damien. We want him to be happy. He is married to his work because he hasn’t found the right woman. I’m thinking you might be the one for him.”
“Oh God.” I just leaned my arms on the sink.
“We don’t want to scare you, we are in your corner, so are the guys but they will never admit it. Steve expected Damien to be sporting a black eye after the meeting today and joked around with him that he was playing with fire.”
“Well I almost slapped him in the face but he caught my hand mid-way. I’m not proud of that at all. I’ve never reacted that way to anyone else.”
“It’s called passion Selina. Just go with it and we’ll be here for support. Now let’s get out there before the alpha’s come looking for us.”
I took a deep breath and then hugged my new found sister-hood friends. Pushing my shoulders back, I realized that the drink did go to my head a bit and thought maybe I will just ease up a bit on Damien. If what the girls were saying was true, then maybe he really is interested in me regardless of our positions in the company.
“Ready?” Asked Denise.
“Yes, can’t wait,” I smiled back at her.
While we were in the ladies room, the hostess moved us to the main dining room where we saw all three guys deep in conversation until we came back to the table. Standing up when we returned, I saw a new Vodka/Cranberry by my seat and thanked Damien for it. Rubbing my hand across his back, he looked at me with a frown on his face while waiting for me to sit back down. Two can play at this game and it was one I wasn’t planning on losing.
“Thank you for my drink. It’s just what I need.” Damien just nodded his head at me and looked across the table at Steve. Seeing Steve shrug his shoulders, Denise elbowed him slightly in his rib and said something to him. I saw Steve smile at me from across the table. Let the games begin.
Chapter 20: Damien
Five minutes in the ladies room with those two vipers and a different Selina comes out of the bathroom. They all look like they are up to something but I’ll just go for it for now. At least Selina doesn’t look like she will stab me with her knife when I’m not looking. Quite the opposite. She seems to be warming up to me out of nowhere actually and this can’t be good. Where Theresa and Denise are concerned, anything can happen. I run a company for God’s sake. I can handle a slip of a woman who is gorgeous, sexy and brilliant. Really, who am I kidding? I’m going down with the ship. Catching myself laughing at my thoughts, I saw Tom frowning at me. Shaking my head at him, I mouthed the word Selina at him and he just smiled.
The waiter came over to take our order. I knew what I was having. Selina was staring at the menu with a second drink in her. As the waiter waited for her order, she turned her lovely eyes to me.
“Damien, would you be so kind as to order for me?”
“Sure Princess. Seafood ok?” Seeing Selina nod, I told the waiter that she will have what I’m having.
Our whole table ordered seafood as it was their signature meal. Hearing the band start to play, Tom and Steve escorted Theresa and
Denise to the floor.
Standing up, I reached my hand down to Selina.
“Dance with me.”
Selina reached her hand into mine as I pulled her to me. I walked her out to the dance floor as the song “Lady in Red” was played. This couldn’t be more perfect. Pulling her tightly towards me, she reached her hand up to my shoulder as my hand held her other hand close to my heart. She stared right at my collar, never venturing further than that until I called her name. I figured this was a good time to start my groveling.
“Selina, look at me.” As she raised her gorgeous topaz eyes at me, I couldn’t help but touch her cheek. “I will never regret what happened on our flight and what we shared together. I will never regret keeping from you who I was as it helped to bring us together even though it wasn’t the most honest thing to do. I won’t settle for anything other than having you in my life, as long as it takes, as long until you can trust me again. I don’t care that I’m your boss. I just see an incredibly beautiful and intelligent woman in my arms that I want to know more than anything in my life. No matter what obstacles you feel are stopping us, whatever time you need to recover from your engagement, I will be as patient as I can. You are worth the wait Selina.”
Seeing her emotions cross her face, I knew I struck a nerve within her. Holding her in my arms, we just danced across the floor. I knew we were at a pivotal moment if she was going to give us a chance or step away. As the song ended, I gave her a chaste kiss on her forehead. Seeing Tom and Steve look at me, I just gave them a slight nod to let them know I started my “groveling” with Selina. Holding her hand back to the table, I helped her sit back down as our dinner was served with another round of drinks. I saw the girls looking at her as Selina was quiet during the rest of the dinner. If I only knew what was going on her in mind about all of this.
Chapter 21: Selina
I knew the minute Damien took me out on the dance floor this would start to be the beginning of the end for me. I couldn’t look at him at first as I knew I would have done something stupid like jump in his arms. I thought it would be safe to just stare at his collar and keep my eyes downwards from his. That is until he called my name…. The words he said to me, not regretting for a moment how he orchestrated our meeting and what happened with us on the flight; how he would never give up. These are all things women dream of; a man declaring his love for someone, putting aside everything just for them. I knew then that no matter what happened with my job, if I didn’t try and have Damien in my life, I knew I would regret it for the rest of my life. If it didn’t work out, then at least I had the experience of being with him. This is what I imagined it would be; what I thought I had with the fiancé but was so wrong about that man. And now this is scaring me. I have never felt like this with anyone before so throwing caution to the wind, I’m deciding to pursue whatever this is with Damien. If his Father and the Board find out about it, I could lose all credibility and possibly my job over him. Yes, Damien was worth it. I could always go back home and take that college teaching job.
Love Never Fails Page 7
