The Meeting

Chapter 16- All is revealed...maybe?

Damien clutches at my clammy hand as we make our way further downtown in the limo. Even his steady hands can’t keep mine from trembling in his grip. What will she do? Will she try and hurt me?

“Zoe, I can hear your mind whirring from here. Stop it.”

I take a deep breath and try to still my thoughts. I turn to see his stony expression, almost like a mask. “How can you be so calm?” I ask, wiping my hands on the skirt of my dress.

“Because we’ll be in a public place in a large room filled with hundreds of people. The chances that she would try something are very slim. As long as you don’t disappear on me and go off by yourself, you’ll be safe.” He pulls my hand back onto his lap and squeezes it gently.

I know he’s right, but I can’t settle the feeling in my stomach that something will go terribly wrong. I’ve always trusted my woman’s intuition and right now it’s telling me to turn around and run.

“I was so sure that it was a man in the beginning. Remember the guy from the elevator I told you about, from the night of the break-in?” I ask.

“Probably just someone you haven’t seen in the building before,” he replies with dismissal. “We’re here.”

The limo stops in front of a large stone building and a man opens the door for us. He pulls me out behind him to an onslaught of flashes. Men and women’s voices ring out with questions, which all jumble together into undistinguishable noise. I grip Damien’s hand tight, my only lifeline to save me from drowning in the crowd. We push through and glance back at them, surprised at how relentless they are to catch a photo of us. I think I almost forgot just how famous Damien is. I stare up at his surly face and see annoyance in his eyes.

“They’re like a pack of wolves; just can’t ever get away,” he growls, bringing me up the front steps away from the flashes. There is a red carpet, leading into the entrance way of a large hall, filled with people dancing and milling around talking. I scan the crowd and don’t see anybody that I recognize, but a lot of people sure recognize Damien. Countless women in gorgeous gowns come over to greet us and I watch as they openly flirt with him. One is so bold as to touch his arm whilst I’m standing there, holding his hand. I mentally slap her in the face, but settle for a cold glare.

He repeatedly introduces me and I get the same scowl back from all of them. They look me up and down, with an almost bewildered expression on their faces, which I’m almost certain isn’t kind. Probably because I have more meat on me than what is socially acceptable for someone in the limelight.

I’m glad when someone comes by to offer me a glass of wine and I drink it back greedily.

“Steady,” he warns. “We’re going to be here for a while, so pace yourself.”

Boy was he right. Hours of greeting people went by and I felt like I was going to die from boredom. My feet, which are clad in high stilettos, hurt from all the standing around. I would give anything to sit down. Damien’s lap would be preferable, but we can't always get what we want.

I look at him, my eyes filled with lust and could think of more than a couple of things I would rather be doing. His gaze locks with mine and I bite my lower lip provocatively to show him what I’m thinking. He growls and pulls me a little closer, with one arm around my waist. He brings his lips to my ear and bites at my lobe, tugging at it gently. To anyone looking, it would simply look like he’s whispering something to me, but I alone can feel the bulge growing in his pants, pressing against my hip, and know his intentions. I remember his promise of gratification tonight and I dart my eyes around the room, looking for a hidden corner or room which is cordoned off.