The words hung in the air longer than they should have, and even when my fork clattered onto the plate, but I barely noticed it. Heat roared in my chest, and my hands curled into fists.
"Wait," I snapped, standing abruptly. "Do you actually think I'm a slut?"
His eyes lifted from my shoulders, and now he was standing tall. He then paused a little and moved over to face me, not directly though, but at the other side of the table where he was sitting when he was eating. His eyes were dark, unreadable, dangerous. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me!" I hissed, the words sharper than I meant. "After everything, after last night, you think I'm just—some girl you f*cked for sport?"
He sat and balanced himself on the chair because, obviously, it's his house.
He leaned back, slow, deliberate, like he had all the time in the world to crush me with a look. "You really think I'd need to think that?" His voice was calm, almost amused, but the heat in it made my skin crawl. "I know exactly what you are. And believe me, you're far from a cheap girl."
"Oh, so now you're twisting this like you're some saint? You—" I took a breath, trying to steady myself. "You said I was, you knew I was a virgin. You implied it like it mattered, like I was some prize to be taken."
His smirk finally appeared, slow, taunting. "Because you were a virgin, Selene. And now?" he paused, smirking. "You're mine."
I could feel my blood boiling. "Mine?!" I shot back. "Are you serious? Do you honestly think one reckless night makes me yours? Are you f*cking kidding me?"
He leaned forward slightly, his gaze was now sharp and cold, like a blade poised at my throat. "I'm serious. I've never wanted anyone like this before. Aside from the fact, I don't want to be a supposed father, few months from now. But well, I'll keep you either way, and don't ask why..... let's just say I find you interesting."
I took a step closer, chest rising with anger, voice trembling despite myself. "So that makes me… what? A possession? A toy for your amusement? Is that how you see me?"
"You're not a toy," he said, low and steady. "Not a possession. But you are mine. Whether you like it or not."
I seethed. "Whether I like it or not? You have no idea what you're saying!" My voice cracked, raw. "I don't even know you! I barely slept last night, and somehow you think you can claim me? Do you realize how f*cking arrogant that is?!"
He leaned back, smirk fading into that dangerous calm I couldn't read. "And you think I don't realize how well you'll likely ruin me in the future? That's exactly why I can't let you walk away."
I opened my mouth, ready to rip into him again, but the shrill ring of his phone sliced through the tension like a knife. Both of us froze for a heartbeat.
He reached over, picked it up, his sharp eyes scanning the screen. "Excuse me," he muttered, voice suddenly clipped, businesslike. "Yes… I'll handle it. No, not yet. Fine."
I couldn't help but glare at him. Now? Seriously?
He tossed the phone onto the counter, standing and peeling off his shirt with casual arrogance. "I'll go shower, then we'll head out. If you feel bored or anything, treat yourself. And one more thing—" he paused, his voice dropping dead serious now. "Don't even think of running," he said over his shoulder, voice soft but laced with warning, and then he disappeared behind the bathroom door.
The sound of water rushing started immediately. I stood there, alone, chest heaving, hands trembling, rage and heat coiling inside me. The air felt heavier, charged, and I realized… breakfast had been a battlefield, and I was still standing. Barely.
----------------
The sound of water cut off abruptly. I stiffened, my every nerve on alert, and then a few moments later, the bathroom door creaked open.
Damian stepped out, with towel slung low over his hips, and his hair damp and clinging to his forehead. Shirtless. My mouth opened, probably to say something sarcastic, something clever…
"Took you long enou—" I froze mid-word and immediately whipped around, pretending I hadn't even tried to speak.
His eyebrow quirked. "Put a shirt on."
I couldn't help the small snort of disbelief. "Oh, because that's going to make it any less distracting?"
He smirked, towel tightening slightly as he stepped closer. "Don't act like you haven't seen more than this, Selene."
I wanted to roll my eyes, but my pulse betrayed me, like it sometimes did. "Oh, I've seen plenty," I shot back, feigning irritation. "But that doesn't mean I want to look."
He tilted his head, amused. "Funny. You don't seem all that opposed when your eyes accidentally linger."
I flushed, crossing my arms, chin high. "Accidentally. Totally accidentally."
"Sure," he said, voice low, teasing, dangerous. He draped the towel casually over his shoulder and started toward the door. "Now, stop stalling. We have a mansion waiting, and I didn't bring you here to stare at my abs all morning."
I trailed behind him, muttering under my breath. "Lucky me."
Then, there was silence which of course, I did the honors to break.
I crossed my arms, jaw tight. "Don't flatter yourself. I've seen plenty of arrogant men in my life, but that doesn't mean I want to look at them."
"Plenty of arrogant men?" he echoed, amusement in his voice. "Funny. I'm starting to think I'm the only one who actually gets under your skin."
"You're not special," I shot back, stepping around him to grab my bag. "You're loud, obnoxious, and think you can claim anything that moves. That's not special—it's exhausting."
He moved to block me, towel slipping slightly on his hip. "Claim anything that moves?" His tone was teasing, but sharp. "Careful, Selene. I'm not just anyone you've walked past. And I'm not letting you out of my sight."
I rolled my eyes, exasperated. "Oh, really? You're scared I'll run off and expose your charming little secrets?"
"Scared?" His lips tugged into that slow, infuriating smirk. "No. Just making sure you don't get yourself hurt. You're… reckless. And stubborn. But I like that about you."
I huffed, trying to maintain my dignity while my pulse betrayed me. "You like that I argue with you? Or you like that you can dominate every conversation?"