Chapter 30 – Unspoken Feelings and a Friend’s Provocation
“Unaccomplished?” I couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity. “You’re one of the most successful men in the country. How could anyone consider you unaccomplished?”
Damien’s lips curved into a wry smile. “In my mother’s eyes, professional success is expected, not exceptional. It’s just what Sterlings do.” He took a sip of his wine, his eyes meeting mine over the rim of his glass. “What she means is that I haven’t fulfilled what she considers the most important accomplishment–building a family.”
“So she’s trying to marry you off?” I asked, remembering his mention of his mother’s persistence.
“Relentlessly.” Damien shook his head. “She introduces me to eligible women at every
opportunity. Last month alone, she arranged five ‘accidental‘ meetings with daughters of family
friends.”
I tried to imagine Damien enduring awkward setup dates and found the image strangely endearing. “And none of them caught your interest?”
Something shifted in his expression. “My interest lies elsewhere.”
My heart did a strange little flip. “Oh? There’s someone you like?”
He nodded, his eyes dropping to his plate. “There has been, for some time.”
“Does your family know?” I asked, suddenly very interested in my food.
“They either don’t know or don’t approve enough to stop the matchmaking,” he replied with a slight shrug. “It’s complicated.”
“Have you told her how you feel?” I was prying, I knew, but curiosity burned through me.
“I… don’t dare. His admission surprised me. The idea that Damien Sterling–confident, powerful Damien Sterling–would hesitate to pursue someone he wanted seemed impossible.
“You don’t dare?” I repeated incredulously. “I can’t imagine you being afraid of anything.”
He looked up then, his gaze intense. “There are things far more frightening than business rivals or physical threats, Hazel. The possibility of rejection from someone who matters… that’s true fear.
The sudden vulnerability in his voice made my chest tighten. Before I could stop myself, I asked, “What’s she like? The woman you’re interested in?”
Damien’s expression softened. “She’s extraordinary. Strong. Resilient. Talented. Beautiful without even trying.” His voice grew quiet. “She deserves everything good in this world.”
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28 Chapter 30
Damien’s jaw tightened. “You’re not a possession.”
“I know that now.” I smiled, feeling oddly lightened having shared this burden. “Anyway, that’s enough about my pathetic love life. Let’s talk about something else.”
“There’s nothing pathetic about surviving betrayal, Hazel,” Damien said softly. “It takes tremendous strength.”
His words wrapped around me like a warm blanket, and I had to look away to compose myself.
After dinner, we stood outside the restaurant waiting for our cars.
“About the loan,” I said, pulling papers from my purse. “I had my attorney draw up an agreement. Three hundred million, with my company as collateral.”
Damien frowned. “That’s not necessary.”
“It absolutely is,” I insisted, pushing the papers toward him. “I won’t take your money without proper documentation. I’m a businesswoman, not a charity case.”
He studied me for a long moment before taking the papers. “You’re very stubborn, Ms.
Ashworth.”
“I prefer the term ‘principled, Mr. Sterling.”
A smile tugged at his lips as he signed without reading a word. “There. Satisfied?”
“Almost,” I replied, taking the papers back. “I’ll have copies sent to your office tomorrow.”
His driver arrived first, pulling up in the sleek black car I was becoming familiar with.
“Thank you for dinner,” I said as Damien opened the car door. “And for… everything else.”
“It was my pleasure,” he replied. “I’ll call you about dinner with my mother. Is Saturday acceptable?”
I nodded, ignoring the flutter of nerves at the thought. “Saturday is perfect.”
“Good night, Hazel,” he said softly.
“Good night, Damien.”
As I watched his car disappear into the night, my phone buzzed with a message from Victoria:
*How was dinner with Mr. Gorgeous Billionaire? Did you make your move yet?*
I rolled my eyes and typed back: *It was just a business dinner.*
*Sure it was. And I’m the Queen of England. Spill!*
My taxi arrived, and I settled into the backseat before replying: *There’s nothing to spill. He’s interested in someone else anyway.*
10:50
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28 Chapter 30
Victoria’s response was immediate: *How do you know it’s not YOU, dummy?*
I stared at her message, my heart skipping. Could it be…? No. That was ridiculous. Damien Sterling could have any woman in the world. Why would he want someone as damaged and complicated as me?
*Don’t be absurd,* I texted back. *He’s way out of my league.*
*Girl, have you SEEN yourself? You’re gorgeous, talented, and strong as hell. Any man would be lucky to have you.*
I smiled despite myself. *You’re biased.*
*I’m RIGHT. And you’re blind if you can’t see how he looks at you.*
I thought back to the dinner, to the way Damien’s fingers had brushed against my chin, the intensity in his eyes when they met mine.
*He’s just being kind,* I typed, trying to convince myself as much as her.
Victoria’s next text made me choke: *I’m imagining you conquering Damien Sterling, holding his arm and appearing in front of Julian and that shameless pair–tsk tsk, I dare not imagine how spectacular their faces would be.*
I stared at her words, heart pounding as an image formed in my mind: walking into some event on Damien’s arm, Julian’s face when he realized what–who–I’d found. The stunned disbelief, the bitter regret…
No. I couldn’t think like that. I wouldn’t use Damien as some pawn in my revenge fantasy, even if there was a chance he might be interested in me. Which there wasn’t.
Was there?
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