Page 7 (1/2)

Chapter 1

I scowl atto be able to cras, half a dozen phone calls to return, a lunch appointment, and plans to meet my best friend, Jamie, for drinks at seven And soet work done

Frankly, I'm not sure if it's possible without the aid of time travel devices or, at the very least, a part-time assistant

I'ainst the overfull sheet--because despite owning my oeb-and mobile-app develop--when Damien approaches

I know that he is there even though he has yet to say a word Perhaps I heard his bare feet on the wooden floor Perhaps the air shifted as he passed Or perhaps he is simply Damien Stark, and I could no more fail to notice his presence than I could miss a tidal wave

But hly claimed me that there is never a moment when I am not blissfully and totally aware of him

I am in the library on the mezzanine of the exceptional Malibu house that was still under construction when I first started dating Damien Now it is our home, and every space within these walls is precious to me I'm at the desk near the section where Damien has shelved his sci-fi/fantasy collection, tattered paperbacks tucked in alongside pristine, signed first editions A few feet away, in one of the comfy leather chairs, the newest addition to our household is curled up into a tiny ball of orange fluff

This is Damien's favorite place to work, and that's part of why I co--I like to feel close to him

Right now, I feel very close indeed

"You're a around, then smile when I hear his soft chuckle behind me

"Because I can sneak up on you?" This time I do hear his footsteps as he moves even closer

"I knew you were there By definition, that isn't sneaking Or, at least, it's not successful sneaking"

"You ently onup the feel of him It's more potent than coffee, and if I could bottle this sensation, I'd be richer than my husband

I haven't yet turned to look at hio memorized every delicious inch of hiers His perfectly sculpted face, softened by the slightest shadow of beard stubble His lean, well-muscled athlete's body that looks equally exceptional in jeans or a tux And, of course, his dual-colored eyes that can look right to my core and see all my secrets

It is not yet seven on a Fridayunifory shorts, I know that he is already dressed I inhale, confir that assumption I sne I bought hio

"So tell ?"

"To properly answer that, I'd need PowerPoint, a projector, and at least two days" I tilt rin at him, and my heart skitters when I see his face, even more perfect than the picture I keep tucked away into your tiement skills" Damien accomplishes more in a day than hly likely that superpowers are involved

"Busy day?"

"By huoing to have to do so"