“I used to get like that when I was pregnant with Damon. My name is Flora by the way.” My head snaps up in her direction and I swear I see a little twinkle in her eye as she smiles at me.
However the look on Damon’s face is thunderous, his mother notices and seems taken aback by the fierce way that Damon is looking at her.
“I’m sorry, I wasn’t saying... I hope I didn’t offend you, dear, of course you’re not pregnant.” She grips my hand so tightly that it actually hurts.
“Mother.” Damon growls. I’m sure this is a touchy subject for him. After all, he doesn’t want children.
“It’s ok, really, it’s not a problem. You didn’t offend me, Mrs. Hunt.” I offer her a warm smile, turning to glare at Damon.
“I’m sorry, beauty. She doesn’t know.” I suck in a shocked gasp. I can’t believe he just said that. Talk about putting me on the spot!
“It’s Flora, dear. No need for formalities here.” She smiles before turning her questioning gaze to Damon. I might as well tell her now.
“I have a medical condition called PCOS, I can’t have children. Well, I can’t have children without assistance.” Flora clutches her throat.
“Oh my, I’m so sorry, dear.”
“It’s ok. Honestly. Please don’t apologise, you have done nothing wrong.” I aim my words at Damon, scolding him for being so inconsiderate to his mom. He actually looks ashamed and comes and places his arms around his mothers shocked frame.
“I’m sorry. I overreacted, mum.” Flora smiles up at him before announcing that it’s time to take our seats at the table.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
After the little hiccup earlier, the evening is going really well. I have been made to feel at home. For the first time, in a long time, I feel like I belong somewhere again.
The dinner has a very relaxed feel to it. George and Flora are the perfect hosts, waiting on their guests, ensuring that we have everything we need, before fixing anything for themselves. With a party this size I would have presumed they would have staff come in for the main course to help, but George proudly tells me that Flora has prepared everything herself.
We’ve had a section of meats, cheeses, pate, and breads for starters. Flora excused herself a few minutes ago to go plate up the main course. I offered to help but she refused. Damon and Spencer share a knowing look, chuckling.
“Mum never, ever, accepts help. She’s too damn controlling like Damon,” Spencer says. I giggle at the scathing look Damon throws Spence.
I have Spencer sitting to my left and Damon sitting to my right. Damon has been getting a lot of text messages in the last ten minutes and with each passing minute he seems to get more and more tense.
Sandra has been glaring at Damon across the table since we’ve been seated, giving me a fake smile every time I notice.
George and Steen have been talking golfing down the table to each other, with the odd shout out from Bentley from the other end of the table.
Bentley is George’s brother, Damon and Spencer’s uncle. He looks completely different from the other three Hunts around the table. He’s largely built with a shaved head. His eyes are a different shade than the Hunts, almost teal in colour. His belly dances when he laughs a big bellowing laugh. He’s hilarious and utterly charming.
George disappears into the kitchen as Damon puts his phone on the table, then leans over to kiss my lips. It’s a soft, sweet kiss that promises to make my toes curl if it was deepened. When he pulls away he strokes my cheekbone with the pad of his thumb, looking deep into my eyes. His soft chocolate brown eyes swirl with untold emotion as he swallows hard.
“You’re so beautiful, Ella,” he whispers.
His words are simple but they take my breath away. I flush, pink blush painting my cheeks with shyness, before giving him a small smile. His phone begins ringing on the table, I look towards it and notice the caller name, Leona. Will she ever leave him alone?
Damon frowns, then excuses himself as he goes to take the call. I sit and watch his back as he leaves the room. I realise I have been watching the door, when I feel a hand on my leg giving my knee a squeeze. I turn around and smile at Spencer.
“Hey we’re all going out to The Hunter on Friday, want to come?” I look at him puzzled.
“We?”
“Yeah. Me, Damon, Wesley, Sofia, Leona, Sharn, possibly Lacy and Michelle.” At the mention of her name I feel instantly pissed off. I don’t know why, it’s not like I have a claim to Damon but something about that woman doesn’t set well with me.
“We’ll see Spence,” I say nonchalantly.
The aroma of a roast dinner begins perfuming the room. My stomach churns, even more so that Damon had this night out planned and hadn’t invited me or even mentioned it. I excuse myself so that I can go to the toilet hoping I don’t bring up my starter. Spencer tells me where the bathroom is located and I take off to find it.
Locating the toilet, I dampen my face and take deep, calming breaths. I need to settle my stomach. After a few minutes I return to the table and discover that Damon still isn’t back. I take my seat next to Spence just as Flora and George start placing our meals on the table.
My mouth waters as I look at the food. A roast dinner with all the trimmings. It smells heavenly. I’m suddenly ravenous. If I could inhale the food I would. I smile and thank Flora and she places mine and Damon’s plates down.
“Where is Damon?” Flora asks me.
“Phone call, mum,” Spencer informs her before I can reply. Flora frowns but doesn’t say anything else. Once everyone has their meal, Flora tells everyone to begin. I dig in, consuming my food. It’s delicious.
“This is amazing, Flora. Thank you,” I tell her across the table honestly. A few others confirm my statement and add their own thanks.
“Thank you, dear,” she smiles but her eyes drift to Damon’s untouched plate. She moves her chair back but George places his hand on her arm.
“I’ll get it, love.” He smiles, kisses her cheek and stands to collect Damon’s plate. George takes it to the kitchen before returning to his meal. A small smile plays on Flora lips as she watches her husband.
The family dynamic brings a lump to my throat. I miss my dad and sister. I can’t remember the last time I was at a family dinner. I know the last time I had a roast dinner with all the fixings was when my pops was still alive. I sober at my thoughts and I struggle not to cry.
Spencer notices my pause in my meal and he places his hand on my shoulder. “You okay, Ella?” he asks quietly. I look around and see only Sandra is witnessing this moment.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve had a family dinner, back when my pops was still here. It’s a little overwhelming.” I try to smile reassuringly but I know I don’t pull it off when Spencer’s eyes widen.
“I’m so sorry, Ella. I didn’t realise,” Spencer says, his eyes shining with care.
“It’s alright, Spence. I’m just going to nip to get some fresh air.” I smile before excusing myself. As I walk away I can feel eyes watching me. I don’t look back at whom, but I do hear Spencer say I’m having a hot flush.
Walking through the hall towards the front door, I hear Damon on the phone, I can’t believe he is still talking to her.
I stop and listen for a second, my blood beginning to boil. I feel so angry that he has pretty much dumped me in the middle of dinner with his family to speak with his previous fuck buddy. That’s if it really is previous, and not current.
“Leona, things are not that easy. I can’t just leave... Leona, I can’t just walk away,” he sighs, as he listens to her reply. “No I will always be there for you, babe. You know I will... she’s here with me... that’s none of your concern... Leona... no I’ll ring you later, I have to go... see you Friday okay?”
I turn and head into the bathroom, fresh air forgotten. Sitting down on the toilet I take a moment to compose myself. My heart is beating in my chest so hard it feels like it could tear through me. I don’t know how I
feel. Just when I think I have everything figured out, feel like I’m back in control, something happens that makes me think I haven’t been playing the game right at all. Is Damon really playing a game with me? Sometimes it seems like he is but it always feels so real with him.
A knock on the door makes me jump. I stand and wash my hands before opening it. Damon is leaning casually against the opposite wall. He pushes away and stalks towards me, pushing me back inside and closes and locks the door. He turns me and presses me against it.
His eyes are filled with hunger as he bends his head and kisses me along my jawline, stopping when he gets to my earlobe. “Has anyone told you how utterly fuckable you look tonight?” His words send an instant volt of lust between my legs. When he sucks on my earlobe my knees buckle.
His hands lock on my hips, supporting me. He kisses back down my jaw until he gets to my mouth. His lips meet mine with force as he demands entry. I can’t help the moan that escapes my lips as he presses himself against me. I feel every hard inch of his straining cock in his jeans pressing against my core. It’s not enough for the throb between my legs. I push in closer, needing more pressure. One of his hands comes up to hold my head in place as he deepens the kiss.
Damon groans, his other hand coming around to the button on my jeans, his fingers skimming around the waistband on my panties, teasing me. I need him. A laugh from down the hall works its way to my ear and I realise where we are. I pull my mouth away and push Damon slightly away from me.
“Damon, we can’t do this here.” He seems to snap out of it and takes a moment to regain control of himself. His chest heaves as he pants. I leave him in the bathroom while I go back and join the table. Spencer smirks when I sit down and I smile at him.
“Your hair is a little out of place and by the flush on your face I would say you found Damon?” Spencer says quietly enough that no one else hears.
I ignore his comment and continue eating my meal. A few minutes later Damon rejoins the table, his plate in hand. No one pays him any attention. It’s as if they’re used to this from Damon. I hope not. I know I won’t get used to him running off to speak to Leona every time she comes calling.
Damon chooses to eat one handed, keeping his other arm around the back of my chair. His fingers play with the ends of my hair. Conversation around the table is easy, light and refreshing. Stories of Damon and Spencer when they were younger get thrown in every so often, causing laughter. Bentley has the best stories. He tells them animatedly, adding hand gestures to help describe certain parts.
Once everyone has finished their meals, George and Flora make quick work at clearing the table. I again offer my assistance, which Flora accepts. I don’t know who is more shocked. Each face around the table is wide eyed. I guess Flora really doesn’t usually accept help.
I quickly get up and follow Flora out of the dining room and into the kitchen. The kitchen is state of the art and every chef’s dream. Red and chrome appliances are homed on top of the every counter, and clean red pots and pans hang about an island in the middle of the kitchen. Black granite countertops gleam from the strategically placed overhead lighting. I’m stunned at how clean the kitchen is. Not one dirty plate in sight.
Flora hums a tune and she moves across the kitchen to the double door red fridge. She pulls out a glass dish filled with reds and creams. I peek in the bowl when she places it on the counter and realise its Eton Mess. My mouth waters. How is it possible to want to eat another bite of food? I haven’t eaten this much in a long, long time.
Nine of us sat down to eat but Flora only gets four bowls out. She smiles as she takes in my puzzled look. “Would you like some, Ella or would you prefer to have some cherry pie once everyone else has left? Or maybe you’re like me and want a bit of both?” she asks with a grin. I don’t even need to consider the question when I answer.
“Both please,” I say with a laugh, causing Flora to chuckle with me.
“George, Damon and Spencer will only eat cherry pie for dessert when we have a dinner party here. They also don’t like to share so I have to save it until the rest of the guests leave.”
“Do you need me to get two more bowls?” I ask as she fills up the four bowls.
“No, dear. Sandra and Samantha don’t eat dessert. Too much fat.” She rolls her eyes. “I say add a pound to my arse if it means having dessert. I never turn down dessert.” Amen to that!
I stand to the side as Flora crumbles meringue on top of each bowled dessert, wondering exactly what Flora wanted me to help her with. It doesn’t take long before I realise her intentions.
“Ella, dear. I haven’t seen my Damon look so content in a long time. Happiness radiates out of him when he’s around you. I’m happy he’s met you. I think you will both be good for each other.” She smiles a knowing smile, her eyes twinkling with mischief. I don’t know what the knowing smile was all about but I do know it makes me frown. Flora laughs. “You’re good for him, dear.” She pats my arm, passes me two dessert bowls and proceeds to exit the kitchen with the other two.
I pass a bowl to Steen before seating myself between Damon and Spence to eat my Eton Mess. The atmosphere around the table now seems tense with Damon and Sandra being the tensest. I look questioningly around the room, my eyes finally settling on Steen’s. My eyes flit between Sandra and Steen as realisation hits. These are Leona’s parents. That is why Sandra seemed familiar. Leona is the double of her mother but has her father’s eyes.
I decide to ignore my thoughts for now and just to enjoy my dessert instead. I pick up my spoon and dig in. It’s mouth wateringly good. A little moan escapes as I close my eyes and let it melt on my tongue. Damon and Spencer shift besides me so I open my eyes. They’re both watching my mouth.
I laugh and fill the spoon up again. I bring my hand up to Damon’s mouth. “Taste,” I demand. Damon shakes his head. “Taste,” I repeat. This time he complies but takes the spoon off me before removing it from between his lips. Damon adds more Eton Mess to the spoon and brings it up to my mouth. I eat without prompt, not being able to wait for another taste. My eyes stay locked on Damon’s as I open my lips to take in the spoon.
Damon’s eyes drop to my lips and he watches me get the sweet from the spoon. When they return to look in mine they are darker with lust.
“Lucky bastard,” Spencer murmurs from my left, breaking me out of my Dubble, my Damon bubble. A blush sneaks up my face as I realise every eye around the table was watching out exchange. Damon lets out a bark of laughter and conversations around the table resume. Flora’s eyes remain locked on us, a small smile paints her face.
****
The evening has been amazing. Damon says a quick goodnight to everyone, avoiding eye contact with Sandra, before ushering me into the lounge again. He sits down on the sofa and attempts to pull me into his lap again. I stand my ground and refuse him. We have some things to talk about before I can let him touch me.
The more I’ve thought about his behaviour in the bathroom, the more suspicious I become. He used his touch to distract me. Again. It’s obvious he knew I was listening in to his conversation with Leona, otherwise how did he know it was me in the bathroom?
“Ella?” he says questioningly.
“We need to talk, Damon, and when you touch me everything in my head flies out the window. I’d rather have this discussion back at your place so I’m choosing to not be touched in the meantime,” I tell him confidently.
Amusement lights up his face from my words. His eyes slowly trail up and down my body before returning to my eyes. Hunger has now replaced his amusement. Damon stands in one graceful motion, slowly stalking towards me. I back up until my legs bump into whatever is behind me. I hold up my hands trying to warn him off but he pays me no attention.
Damon continues towards me, a predator stalking its prey, until he gets in my personal space. His arms snake around my waist, pulling me flush against him. My breath catches in my throat as soon as he touches me, an electric current vibrates around my bod
y in expectation.
“Damon,” I warn breathlessly.
“I’m the same. Fuck, beauty. It’s like that for me too.” It takes me a minute to understand what he’s talking about. “Every time I think of you every other thought goes out my head. Every time I hear your voice I forget everything around me, forget where I am. I get fucking hard, Ella. But fuck, every touch, every taste, takes my breath away.”
At his words I melt into him. The husk in his voice turns my insides to mush. Damon’s head descends, his lips coming down to mine. My eyes flutter closed, waiting for the connection of his lips on mine.
A throat clearing penetrates my brain. I open my eyes to see Damon stand upright, grinning down at me. I turn my head to the side and see Spencer. Smirking.
He saunters over to the sofa and plops down. “Bad timing?” he asks grinning. I roll my eyes and walk over to take a seat too. Damon sits beside me, pulling me close to his side. I snuggle in and rest my eyes whilst waiting for Flora and George to say good night to their guests.
I have a lot to ask Damon about Leona but that will have to wait until we leave. Having a full belly makes tiredness set in and it isn’t long before I’m drifting off to sleep causing Flora to send a doggy bag back with Damon, for me to have the best cherry pie I’ve ever tasted the following day.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
June 6th 2014
Friday comes around much faster than I expected. All week I’ve had mixed feelings about going out tonight. I’m looking forward to seeing Sofia again but Leona isn’t exactly my biggest fan and I certainly don’t like her. Maybe it’s time to get her out of the picture.
I check myself in the mirror. I’ve decided to wear leather trousers. They’re so tight it’s like just adding an extra layer of skin, and a black and white off the shoulder leather cuff top with red, spiked heels. I’ve curled my hair for a change, giving it plenty of volume. I’ve kept my make up quite light seeing as the outfit is killer, I didn’t want to overdo it.
Corrupted (Manipulation Trilogy #1) Page 12
