45 Chapter 47
Chapter 47 – Unveiled Fears and a Hint of a Kiss
I watched Damien’s expression change as he processed my words about the gift seeming insignificant. His features softened in a way that made my heart skip.
“Hazel,” he said, his voice gentle yet firm, “value isn’t measured by price. These pieces show thoughtfulness and consideration. That’s worth more than anything money can buy.”
I looked down at my empty mug, embarrassed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to sound so
insecure.”
“Don’t apologize for being honest.” He leaned forward slightly. “I prefer knowing what you’re thinking.”
The intensity in his gaze made me reach for my purse, needing a moment to collect myself.
“Speaking of returning things,” I said, changing the subject, “I should thank you
properly for lending me your watch that night. It really saved me from being late to my appointment.”
Damien’s lips curved into a small smile. “About that… I didn’t exactly lend it to you.”
I blinked. “What?”
“You were quite intoxicated that night,” he explained. “I removed my watch while helping clean you up after you… well, after you were sick.”
My cheeks burned instantly. “I threw up on you?”
“Not directly on me,” he quickly clarified. “But I was helping you, and I didn’t want to risk damaging the watch. I simply forgot to put it back on afterward.”
I dropped my face into my hands, mortified. “Oh my god. I am so, so sorry.”
“It’s fine, Hazel. These things happen.”
“No, they don’t,” I mumbled through my fingers. “Not to normal people. Not to people who aren’t complete disasters around you.”
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I heard him chuckle, and when I pecked through my fingers, I found him watching me with surprising warmth.
“Trust me, I’ve seen worse. Much worse.
“That doesn’t make me feel better. I finally dropped my hands, facing my humiliation head–on. “I owe you an apology for… well, everything that night.”
Damien’s expression turned thoughtful. “Actually, I should apologize as well.”
“For what? You were perfect.” The words slipped out before I could stop them.
His eyes widened slightly, and I rushed to clarify.
“I mean, you were perfectly helpful. A perfect gentleman. Not that you’re perfect–perfect. I mean, nobody’s perfect, right?” I was rambling now, digging myself deeper.
“Actually,” Damien interrupted my spiral, “I was going to apologize for not calling you
about the watch sooner.”
“Oh.” I took a sip of water, grateful for the interruption.
“I hesitated,” he admitted, looking uncharacteristically uncertain. “I wasn’t sure if you’d think I was using the watch as an excuse to contact you.”
I studied his face, surprised by this confession. Damien Sterling, hesitant to call me? It seemed impossible.
“Why would that matter?” I asked before I could stop myself.
He held my gaze. “Because things have felt… complicated between us lately.”
The air between us suddenly felt charged with unspoken words. I knew exactly what
he meant – our dance around each other, moments of closeness followed by awkward
distance.
“Damien, there’s something I need to tell you,” I said, gathering my courage. “Something that’s been bothering me.”
His expression turned serious. “I’m listening.”
I took a deep breath. “I’ve been afraid that your kindness – your family’s kindness – might have ulterior motives.”
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His brow furrowed. “What kind of motives?”
The words caught in my throat. It sounded so ridiculous now, about to say it out loud. But I’d started this conversation, and I needed to finish it.
“My blood type I finally said. “It’s extremely rare. RH–negative. I spent years giving blood to Julian because of his condition, and L… I got scared that maybe your interest in me was because of that too
I expected him to be offended. Instead, to my complete surprise, Damien’s lips twitched, and then he let out a genuine laugh.
“What’s funny?” I demanded, feeling exposed.
“I’m sorry,” he said, composing himself. “It’s just that you already told me this.”
“I did?” I stared at him in confusion. “When?“”
“The night you were drunk, he explained. “You accused me of plotting to harvest your organs and blood. You were quite adamant about it, actually,”
My mouth fell open. “I said WHAT?
“You informed me that you knew my game and that you weren’t going to let me steal your precious panda blood”
“Oh my god.” I wanted the floor to open up and swallow me whole. “Please tell me you’re joking
“I wish I were,” he said, still looking amused. “You were quite creative with your accusations. At one poist, you suggested i was running an underground blood trafficking ring”
I groaned and buried my face in my hands again, “I am never drinking again. Ever
When I finally looked up. Damien’s expression had turned serious despite the lingering
asement in his eyes.
“Hazel, I promise you, I have no interest in your blood. Neither does my family. We have no secret gedical agendas. My interest in you is…” he paused, seeming to choose his words carefully entirely personal”
The way be said ‘personal‘ sent a shiver down my spine.
45 Chapter 47
“I’m sorry I accused you of being a vampire or whatever, I said, attempting to lighten
the moment.
“Technically, you called me a ‘blood baron,” he corrected, his lips quirking up. “Which is rather creative, I must say.
“What else did I do that night?” I asked, dreading the answer but needing to know.
Something flickered in his eyes, and his gaze dropped briefly to my lips before returning to my eyes.
“Nothing much,” he said, his voice suddenly even. “You mostly just slept.”
I frowned. “But you just said I accused you of being a ‘blood baron. That doesn’t sound like sleeping.”
“That was before you fell asleep,” he explained smoothly. “You were quite worked up until you finally dozed off.”
Something about his explanation didn’t quite add up. “You’re being suspiciously vague,
Damien.
“Am I?” His expression was unreadable now.
“Yes. What aren’t you telling me?”
He took a sip of his coffee, considering me over the rim. “Would it make you feel better or worse to know all the details of your inebriated state?”
“Better,” I insisted. “I need to know what embarrassing things I did so I can properly
apologize.”
His gaze lingered on my face, and for a moment, I thought he was going to tell me something significant. Then his eyes dropped to my lips again, lingering there with an intensity that made my pulse quicken.
“You just slept,” he finally said, looking back up at my eyes. “Like a log. Nothing more.”
But the way he said it contradicted his earlier statements, and that lingering gaze… I was certain he wasn’t telling me something. Something important.
“You’re lying” I said, narrowing my eyes.
“Why would I lie?” His voice was too casual, too controlled.
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“I don’t know, but you are.” I leaned forward. “What happened that night, Damien? What did I do?”
The tension between us was palpable, and I watched as he seemed to wage some internal battle. What could possibly have happened that he couldn’t tell me about?
Unless…
A sudden thought made my cheeks burn. Had I tried to kiss him? Or worse, had I actually kissed him while drunk? Was that why he kept looking at my lips?
The realization that I might have made an unwanted advance on him while intoxicated filled me with fresh mortification. But before I could press him further, his phone buzzed on the table.
He glanced at it, then back at me with what seemed like genuine regret. “I’m sorry,
I
have to take this. It’s about an important contract.”
As he answered the call, I sat back in my chair, my mind racing with possibilities. Damien Sterling was definitely hiding something about that night, and his intense focus on my lips suggested it was something intimate.
What had I done? And why wouldn’t he tell me?
The mystery hung between us like an unspoken promise – or perhaps a threat – as he continued his call, his eyes never leaving mine.
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