73 Chapter 76
Chapter 76 – An Awkward Ride and a Model’s Surprising Past D
As Damien settled into the backseat beside me, I suddenly realized Chloe’s plan was even more devious than I’d thought. Instead of sliding in from the other side as expected, Chloe swung open the door and gestured toward the middle seat.
“Hazel, would you mind taking the middle? I need the window seat for my, um, motion
sickness.
I gaped at her. “I thought you said you get carsick in the back?”
Chloe waved dismissively. “Oh, that too. But the window helps tremendously.”
Before I could argue
she was already climbing in, effectively forcing me to scoot over. I found myself wedged between the Sterling siblings, acutely aware of Damien’s thigh pressed against mine in the confines of the luxurious but suddenly too–small backseat.
“Comfortable?” Damien asked, his deep voice sending ripples down my spine.
“As comfortable as one can be in the middle seat,” I replied, trying to sound casual while my heart hammered in my chest.
The driver pulled away from the curb, and I desperately tried to maintain some personal space, but the laws of physics weren’t cooperating. Every slight turn or bump in the road sent me listing against Damien’s solid frame.
“Sorry,” I murmured after a particularly sharp corner had me practically in his lap.
“No need to apologize,” he said quietly, his warm breath tickling my ear.
I caught a whiff of his cologne–something expensive and woody with subtle notes of amber. The scent wrapped around me like an intimate embrace, making my pulse quicken. I stared straight ahead, afraid that if I turned toward him, our faces would be inches apart.
Ten minutes into the drive, Chloe let out an exaggerated yawn. “I’m so tired,” shr announced, before promptly leaning against my shoulder and closing her eyes.
“Chloe, what are you-”
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Her weight against me increased dramatically as she pretended to fall asleep, pushing me further into Damien’s side.
I knew she was faking. The slight upturn at the corner of her mouth gave her away, but I couldn’t call her out without seeming petty. I was trapped between Sterling siblings- one pretending to sleep and the other radiating heat that seemed to seep through my clothes and into my skin.
Damien shifted slightly, trying to give me more room, but the effort was futile in the confined space.
“Is she always this transparent?” I whispered, nodding toward Chloe.
Damien’s chuckle vibrated through his chest and into mine where our bodies connected. “Usually she’s worse,” he replied softly. “I apologize for her… enthusiasm.” “It’s fine,” I said, though my body temperature suggested otherwise.
My mind was racing with inappropriate thoughts. What would it feel like if Damien placed his arm around me instead of keeping it carefully along the back of the seat? What if I gave up this pretense of maintaining space and simply leaned into him? What if his fingers, now resting innocently on his own leg, moved a few inches and found mine?
“Are you warm?” Damien asked suddenly. “You look flushed.”
I nearly choked. Was my internal meltdown that obvious?
“A little,” I admitted. “It’s stuffy in here.”
Without hesitation. Damien leaned forward slightly. “James, could you adjust the air conditioning? Ms. Ashworth is feeling warm.”
“Right away, sir,” the driver responded promptly.
Cool air began flowing more forcefully from the vents, providing sweet relief. I flashed Damien a grateful smile, which he returned with an intensity that made my stomach flip.
“Better?” he asked.
“Much, thank you.”
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Chloe chose that moment to “sleep–shift, somehow managing to push herself even more firmly against me. I was practically plastered against Damien’s side now, our bodies connected from shoulder to knee.
I needed a distraction before I combusted from the inside out.
“So,” I blurted, “there’s an anniversary event coming up at my old design school next month. They’re hosting a showcase featuring alumni work?
Damien turned toward me, interested. “Are you participating?”
I nodded, grateful for something neutral to discuss. “They’ve asked me to design outfits for a small runway segment. Nothing elaborate–just five looks that represent my design evolution.”
“I’m sure your creations will stand out,” Damien said. “Have you selected models yet?” “The school is providing student models, actually. It helps give upcoming fashion students runway experience.”
“You should model one of them yourself,” he suggested. “You have the perfect look for
it.”
I laughed softly, shaking my head. “Me? No, I’m much more comfortable behind the
scenes now.”
“Now?” Damien caught the word immediately. “Did you model before?”
I hesitated, surprised he’d picked up on that slip. “I did some modeling in college, actually. Part–time work to help pay tuition.”
“I’m not surprised,” he said, his eyes sweeping over me in a way that made me feel both vulnerable and beautiful. “You have the height, the poise, the bone structure…”
“Flatterer,” I deflected, though his words warmed me.
“Just honest,” he countered. “Why didn’t you continue? You could have been quite successful.
I turned slightly to look at him, suddenly aware of how close our faces were. His eyes- those intense, observant eyes–held genuine curiosity.
“Actually, it’s kind of funny,” I admitted. “They told me I couldn’t be a runway mo
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because my bust was too large.”
I immediately regretted the words. Had I really just mentioned my breasts to Damien Sterling?
To his credit, Damien didn’t glance down or smirk like most men would have. Instead, his brow furrowed slightly.
“That seems absurdly limiting” he said. “Though I suppose the fashion industry is known for its arbitrary standards.
“It u
was a blessing in disguise,” I shrugged. “It pushed me to focus on design instead of dividing my attention. And honestly, I was only modeling to pay bills without having to accept money from Julian.”
The mention of my ex brought a brief shadow across Damien’s features before he masked it.
“Your independence has always been important to you,” he observed.
“It has,” Lagreed. “Even back then, I hated the idea of relying on anyone, especially Julian. I wanted to make my own
way”
I didn’t add that Julian had actually been relieved when I stopped modeling. He’d claimed it was concern for my studies, but looking back, I suspected he’d been uncomfortable with other men seeing me on runways or in photo shoots. His possessiveness had disguised itself as care, a pattern I only recognized in retrospect.
“I admire that about you,” Damien said softly. “Your determination not to be beholden to anyone.”
at him a Something in his tone made me look up There was a weight to his words, an understanding that went beyond simple praise. It occurred to me that Damien. Sterling, heir to one of the country’s greatest fortunes, might understand the desire for true independence better than most.
The car slowed as we approached my apartment building, and I felt an odd disappointment that our ride was ending. Despite the awkwardness and Chloe’s transparent machinations, I’d enjoyed these moments of closeness with Damien. As if reading my thoughts, Chloe suddenly “woke up” with a theatrical stretch. we at Hazel’s already? I was having the most wonderful dream.”
“h, are
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I gave her a knowing look. “I’m sure you were.”
Her innocent act didn’t falter as she grinned widely at me. “We should do this again sometime. The three of us make such good car companions, don’t you think?”
Before I could respond, my thoughts drifted back to what I’d inadvertently revealed about my past. I’d never told anyone except Victoria about the real reason my modeling career ended. It was such an intimate, oddly specific detail about my body- something I’d felt self–conscious about at the time but had come to accept.
What would Damien think of that revelation? Would it change how he saw me? And why did I suddenly care so much about his opinion of my figure?
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