Chapter: 62: A Dangerous Game
Elena
The alcohol was yet to kick in so I was still aware of my surroundings and could still speak normally. We kept walking in the cool night air without Damien saying a word.
It was unsettling how he could be so silent while my mind was spinning with thoughts.
"Are we going somewhere?" I asked, breaking the silence.
He didn't answer.
I huffed. "What about the business you wanted to talk about?"
Still nothing.
I frowned, my steps starting to falter. "How long are we going to be walking for? I'm tired."
I exhaled sharply. "Won't you at least say something?" I kept bombarding him with questions.
"Why—," left my mouth before he cut me off.
"You talk a lot for someone who claims to be tired," he finally spoke, amusement flicking in his eyes.
"Well— my leg hurts not my mouth," I shot back.
His lips curved into a smirk. "So are you asking that I carry you?"
I hesitated for a moment. 'He wasn't serious, was he?' I thought, peeking at him from the corner of my eye.
" No," I finally replied. "I just want to know if we are close to our destination."
"I can carry you in my arms if you want me to," he replied, the smirk placed on his lips widening.
The thought sent streams of heat to my face. I squeezed on his hand instead, letting him lead the way. "Let's just go."
We walked a little farther before arriving at a small restaurant tucked away from the main street. Warm light spilled from the windows, giving the place a cozy, intimate feel.
"What are we doing here?" I asked as we stepped into the place.
He gave me a knowing look. "You don't have to pretend, I know you're hungry."
And right on cue, my stomach let out a loud rumble. The look on Damien's face changed to that of amusement. And I hurriedly looked away in embarrassment.
"I noticed you barely touched your food at the other restaurant," he continued leading me to a booth. "which wasn't surprising, the food there was tasteless."
His words caught me off guard. 'Was he always this attentive?' I couldn't help but blush. His words made me feel seen. I didn't know he paid that much attention to me.
"You don't have to look so shocked," he murmured, settling into his seat. "I pay attention to things that matter."
"Or the people important to me," he added making sure to stress the statement while looking into my eyes.
My face reddened at the sound of his words.
"You look like you're having a fever."
"What," I said placing my hands over my cheeks. "It's probably because I'm hungry."
He looked at me before he turned, ordering the best they had on the menu, alongside drinks. The food was amazing. I ate to my fill with no reservations. I probably had disgraced myself in front of him but I didn't care or maybe it was the alcohol that made me feel that way.
One drink turned into two. Two turned into three.
I wasn't sure when it happened, but at some point, I realized I was past my limit.
Damien was watching me with that same knowing smirk, his fingers lazily swirling the drink in his glass.
"You're drunk," he murmured.
I scoffed, waving a hand dismissively. "I'm—I am not drunk, just a little tipsy."
He chuckled. "Elena, you can barely say a complete statement."
I blinked, realizing my vision was slightly blurred. Damn it.
"Even your eyes can't stay open," he added, his tone mocking.
"I think it's time to get you home."
"Home!, I don't want to go home, I have to go back to work, or my boss would get disappointed."
Damien laughed at my words, looking amused at me.
"I don't think you'd remember this tomorrow but for what it's worth, I'm sorry for saying I was disappointed in you," he spoke, patting my head.
I stared at him, processing his words through the haze in my mind. Why was he apologizing?
"Why are you telling me this," I mumbled, my head tilting to the side. "You're not my Boss," I added, forgetting who I was out with.
He chuckled. "Come on, time to go home."
"I can get home by myself," I muttered, attempting to stand.
But the second I moved, I swayed, and Damien was there, steadying me with firm hands.
"Yeah, no," he said. "You're coming with me."
I tried to protest, but the warmth of his touch and the alcohol clouding my mind made it impossible to argue.
Before I knew it, I was off the floor and in his arms as he led me out of the restaurant, his grip firm, his scent intoxicating.
He placed a kiss on my forehead before strapping me into the passenger seat. He got into the driver's seat and off we went. The slow music he turned on helped me drift off to sleep.
———
I fluttered my eyes open to find myself in an unfamiliar dark room I could barely make out the distinction between the furniture and the darkness that filled the room.
I shifted slightly only to feel, skin on skin. My body was wrapped in soft blankets, but I could feel the bare skin beneath, the undeniable absence of fabric against my arms and legs.
I wasn't wearing any clothes.
My brain not fully processing my situation turned off and I fell asleep again believing I was probably dreaming.