Damon walked in the room and stared at Merry's sleeping form, forehead creased with stress and interest.
He then went for a bath, brushed and hurried through some more things before glancing at the bedside clock.
12:07am.
He sighed, unbuttoned the top button of his black pajamas and walked towards the bed.
He stopped.
He couldn't understand why it was so interesting to watch Merry Steele sleep. He looked at the sexy swell of her plump breasts against the nightgown. From the deep arch of her waist to the outer curve of her hip.
Or was it the way her long, rich hair spilled all over the pillow to expose her slender neck?
Damon softly breathed through the warm pool of heat in his chest and reduced the air conditioning with the controller before slipping under the covers beside her.
He didn't want to wake her.
The scent of roses hit him and he shut his eyes as it clouded his common sense.
Memories of her wanted to come in but he fought them off knowing it'd only make him bitter and spoil the mood.
Damon was surprised at himself but being the daredevil he was, he scooted closer.
Then, closer.
This was just too comfortable. He needed to leave but his body was still.
Finally, he pressed against her and slipped an arm around her waist.
It was so cozy that he shivered and fell asleep fast.
♪♥♣♠
♥♠♣♪
Merry woke four hours later and was confused when she felt the heavy warmth around her other than the duvet.
She shifted and then smelled him.
She gasped.
Damon-fucking-Blackwell was cuddling with her!!!
Heavens, it felt so good. So warm to feel his heart thudding peacefully against her back.
"Merry...." Her strict mind suddenly interrupted. "This is Damon Blackwell. There's a mistake somewhere. Think straight!"
Immediately, Merry shut her eyes and began to move away but Damon's arm tightened and he jumped, voice was extra-deepened by sleep.
"Wha.... Merry?"
She turned to stare at his sleepy face. His hair was tousled and his blue eyes were sharp in the dim lamplight. He looked so.... innocent.
"You don't want to cuddle?" He asked.
Merry blinked.
"Damon...."
Pause.
"This is too intimate. We.... We shouldn't be cuddling."
"It's not written anywhere. Come on, you don't wanna?"
Silence. Merry needed to say NO.
"You can pretend, you know." Damon cajoled.
"I want to." Merry heard herself say.
And her heart swelled with emotions she wished she didn't feel as Damon sleepily beckoned for her to scoot back into his waiting arms.
"Come on, girl."
When her head hit his shoulder, it felt so secure.
Every meaning of his masculinity and comfortably hard, warm body made her just want to press her face into his body.
"Merry, you're so careless." Her mind cried.
"SHUT UP!" She thought in her head.
SHE MISSED THIS. SHE MISSED THE FEEL OF HIS BIG, STRONG ARMS CLOSING AROUND HER SMALLER FORM.
Even more shockingly, Damon reached a hand to the back of her head and stroked gently.
She sighed. He sighed.
And they just lay there in the silence.
Merry in warmth and disbelief. Damon, very sleepy.
♪♥♠♣
♪♥♣♠
Merry woke first, the californian morning sun hitting her face.
Today was the 1st of December and she tried to remember the last episode on her life story.
Damon.
She blinked and became fully conscious of their last night and his warmth still pressed to her.
She picked up her phone to see the time.
7:18am.
She unlocked her phone and behold....
The image of a handsome guy.
A hot guy, to be exact.
She stared at it, wondering how she had the picture.
Damon moved from behind her and got out of bed.
He went and had his bath, came out smelling fresh and dressed corporately.
Merry knew he looked hot but she was overwhelmed with anger at herself and him. Because he was back to being cold now and she'd tried to warn herself.
He turned to her and said.
"You'll go to the salon today. I'm sending you 850 bucks for use. Have fun. Mr Valasco will drive you."
"Breakfast?"
"No."
"Laundry?"
"Mariana will be here soon."
He left and Merry heard the ding of a credit alert.
♪♥♠♣
♥♠♣♪
Merry had a quiet drive and was surprised to receive stares and silent gossips at the salon she frequented.
She wanted a bob and had her hair cut.
Her hairdresser, the chubby dark skinned lady, spoke first.
"Merrilyn, you're Mr Blackwell's wife-to-be, right?"
Merry was surprised.
"How.... How did you know, Kate?"
"It's all around town, y'know. I'm so happy for you."
Everyone was smiling at Merry now and she smiled back. Stiffly.
"Yeah. Uhm, thanks."
Then, Kate talked about how she wanted to make Merry look so hot that Mr Blackwell would faint.
Like he'd ever dare faint. Control freak, Merry thought.
♪♥♠♣
♥♪♠♣
Merry quickly stopped at her kitchen and was shocked to see a crowd.
For the first time in many months, tables had to be set outside.
Families, Workers, Alumni....
Everyone seemed to have gathered around and she was scared of coming out of the car.
But being who she was, she took the dare and got out of the expensive vehicle.
Same thing, stares, smiles—both genuine and fake—came her way.
She strutted with pride and on her way into the restaurant she came slamming into a guy who was in a hurry, talking in his phone.
Their eyes met and oh, Merry wanted to swoon.
He was blond. He was hot! Too fresh and handsome.
"Uhm...." Merry began, smiling. "So sorry."
He smiled back and patted her shoulder that Merry thought she felt a spark.
"It's okay, ma'am. Are you okay?"
"Yes. Sure."
"Yeah?"
Merry nodded and went in while he disappeared.
Samantha and Nicki were so happy to see Merry and wished there was time for some gossip. She told Mr Valasco to go have his own time and she stayed in the kitchen, cooking, extremely happy about the sudden changes. There were customers everywhere.
She had a lot of change from Damon and had saved it in her Kitchen budget.
This was getting interesting.
♪♥♠♣
♥♪♠♣
Few hours later, Damon called.
"I need lunch. Bring it down in 1 hour."
"Okay."
He went off and Merry had to hurry off the kitchen, kissing her sister and bestfriend goodbye.
When she got to BlackByte Cyber Systems and Technology, the reception was different than her first day there.
Everyone smiled at her.
Ah, she needed to check the news again.
The secretaries smiled directly at her. Some tried not to look jealous and typed furiously, checking her out.
The smiling secretary handed Merry over to an older, dark skinned, neatly dressed and fresh lady who gave a curt curtsy.
"Hello, ma'am. I am Sadeola Harvey. Call me Sade, please. I am ordered by Mr Damon Blackwell to lead you to Floor 70 where he resides. Follow me."
Merry smiled and followed Sadeola and when they got to the wide white corridor outside Damon's office, it took some time for Damon to authenticate their entrance.
Merry's heart was beating that she believed Sadeola would hear it.
Soon, Damon's office door slid open and Sadeola gave Merry one polite smile before Merry courageously went in and silently uncovered his lunch.
Merry carefully arranged what she brought and tried not to look at Damon who kept glancing at her face and typing codes.
She managed to look up and she met Damon's emotionless eyes.
He was checking her out.
"You eat before it gets cold." Merry said, stiffly and went to sit, immediately turning on her phone and watching a movie.
Damon obeyed her.
The news flew in again.
Her. At her restaurant.
She had never been this exposed in her life but she'd signed up for it.
"Damon, how did everyone know?"
He bit into a pancake and closed his eyes, savoring the taste. Merry frowned.
Was everything linked to an orgasm? She thought sarcastically.
He looked at her and their eyes met again.
"Do you want some?" He asked and Merry cursed softly, looking away.
"No. I want to know how things got out."
"We try to keep things secret but somehow, they just get out. That reminds me, you'll meet my.... THE BLACKWELLS tomorrow."
Merry noticed what he called HIS FAMILY.
"Of course, I'll love to see them. Afterall, they have a son in my care."
Damon looked at her, displeased somehow.
"Don't look at me like that. You need my help...."
"Don't say all that to me." He snapped.
"Don't snap at me. Accept it. You-need-help...."
He seethed, furiously.
"....And you need to relax and eat up or I'll pack up and leave."
His grip tightened around his fork. Merry was pleased to see him angry.
"Be quiet." He warned.
Merry rose and went to seat opposite him.
"What happened, Damon? Or.... What's happening?"
Silence.
"Damon, I apologize for making you uncomfortable but.... I'm concerned."
"You're making me feel uncomfortable."
She reached to touch his arm and he moved back.
Merry's forehead creased.
"I don't know anything. You're annoying, yes. I hate you, sure. But.... I can't just get paid and you lose the.... DARE. We're on the same team. No matter.... the past thing. The contract expects you to be if a good conduct and meet certain conditions on the 25th of December. It believes I can help you.... You picked me. But, how can I help if I don't know what I'm dealing with?"
He licked his lip and relaxed a little bit.
"It's clear to see." He began, angry. "I hate people. So much. Maybe you can make me look.... kind-hearted."
"Oh...."
Silence.
He spoke, calmly now. Dangerously.
"And don't you ever mention the past to me. Ever again. I hate everything about it."
"I wouldn't want to because I hate you back.... Too much...."
"And you burrowed in my arms last night, moaning and fragile?"
Merry paused, tongue-tied. She looked for something to say but Damon beat her to it.
"I know. You were doing your job."
"I truly wish we'd never met, Damon. You're selfish and wicked."
Something like pain crossed his face as he looked at his plate but he smiled dryly and resumed eating.
Merry did not like how this ended but she was happy to have hit him. Maybe.