When I opened my eyes the next morning, I found myself lying on a hotel bed, my whole body sore like I'd been run over by a truck.
Beside me, Damian was fast asleep.
Sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting shifting patterns of light and shadow across his sharply defined features.
Memories of the night before rushed back like a tide.
I… I actually… devoured him completely?
Guiltily, I licked my lips, replaying the sensation.
Mm. It was… incredible.
The burning heat inside me was gone, replaced by an unfamiliar sense of fullness and satisfaction.
When I looked at Damian again, his brows were slightly furrowed, his complexion… a bit ashen.
My heart skipped.
Oh no. Did I go a little too far?
It had been my first proper "meal" in centuries… I might've lost control.
Looking at his slightly worn expression in sleep, a wave of guilt crept over me.
No. Taking everything and running? That was a total jerk move.
I should… take responsibility?
No, wait. How would I even do that? Tell him I'm a succubus?
That would scare him off for sure.
I quietly slipped out of bed. Just as I bent down to pick up the torn pieces of my dress, a large hand reached out from behind and grabbed my ankle.
"Full already, and planning to run?"
His voice came from behind me, low and rough with sleep.
I froze, then slowly turned around, forcing out a placating smile. "Good… morning, Mr. Blackwood."
Damian had already sat up, the sheets slipping down to reveal several faint, suggestive scratches across his chest.
He narrowed his eyes at me, his gaze dangerous. "What did you call me last night? Damian… hmm?"
I wished I could disappear on the spot.
"Well… last night was an accident. I was drugged, I wasn't thinking straight…"
"And?" he raised a brow. "You're not taking responsibility?"
"I…"
"Vivian," he cut me off, his tone absolute. "Don't ever think about leaving me."
Natalie could never have imagined that her scheme to ruin me would end up pushing Damian and me closer together.
Unwilling to accept it, she paid someone to fabricate a video portraying me as promiscuous.
In the video, "I" was seen hanging off a group of sleazy men, speaking with obvious disdain.
"Damian? What's so great about him? I'm only interested in his money. Once I become Mrs. Blackwood and get what I want, I'll dump him. I don't love him at all."
Natalie anonymously sent the video to Damian's private inbox.
Even though Damian immediately saw through the fake.
Still, hearing those words—even knowing they were false—left a thorn in his heart.
Of course, he only told me all this after I'd… worn him down in bed.
But I could clearly feel the distance he started putting between us.
He stopped letting me into his study, kept his distance at meals, and sent me straight back to the guest room at night.
I couldn't figure it out.
Could it be… I really overdid it that night?
Did I… break him?
So his pride took a hit, and now he's avoiding me?
Highly possible.
For the sake of my future "food supply"—and to make it up to him—I looked up a ton of information and had the kitchen prepare all kinds of restorative dishes.
All kinds of supposed aphrodisiacs—oysters, rich tonics, and every kind of so-called energy-boosting delicacy.
Damian looked at the table full of "recovery foods," then at my completely sincere, well-meaning face.
His expression went from stunned, to dark, and finally… he actually laughed in anger.
"Vivian."
He gritted his teeth and stepped toward me.
I backed away, confused. "Wh-what's wrong? Don't you like it? I had them make it just for you…"
He suddenly grabbed me, hoisting me over his shoulder, and strode toward the bedroom.
"I'll show you firsthand what I'm really capable of."
