The Maid's Deception-Chapter 18 - 17: The Education Begins

Damien’s hands slid down her sides, settling on her hips with possessive firmness. His eyes held hers, and there was something in his gaze that made her stomach clench with anticipation and apprehension in equal measure.

"First lesson," he said quietly. "When I touch you, you don’t hide your reactions. I want to see everything."

"I don’t..."

His hands tightened on her hips, pulling her more firmly against him, and she felt the hard evidence of his arousal pressing against her through their clothes. Her eyes widened, a gasp escaping before she could stop it.

"Like that," he murmured approvingly. "Exactly like that."

"This is too fast..."

"Is it?" One hand slid up her spine, pressing her closer. "Or is it exactly the pace you need? Because I think you’ve been wound so tight for so long, maintaining so much control, that you need someone else to take it away from you. To make the decisions for you.

He was right. God, he was right, and the fact that he could see through her so clearly was as terrifying as it was arousing.

"I can see your mind working," Damien continued, his hand moving to cup the back of her neck.

"Stop it."

"I can’t just stop thinking..."

"Yes, you can. I’ll help you." His mouth found that spot just below her ear, and when he sucked gently, her thoughts scattered like leaves in wind. "That’s better. Much better."

His lips traced a path down her neck while his hands explored her body with deliberate intent. Not rushing, but not hesitant either.

Like he had every right to touch her. Like she belonged to him already.

And the terrifying part was how right it felt.

"You’re shaking," he observed, pulling back to look at her. "Fear or desire?"

"I don’t know."

"Oh I do, Serah ." His hand slid under her sweater, palm flat against her stomach, and she sucked in a breath at the contact.

"It’s both. You’re afraid of how much you want this. Afraid of what it means that you walked through that door and locked it and sat exactly where I told you to sit."

His hand moved higher, fingers tracing the underside of her bra, and Aria’s breath came faster.

"But here’s what you need to understand." His eyes locked with hers, intense and unwavering. "I’m not going to hurt you. I’m not going to push you further than you can handle. But I am going to take you right to that edge right to the limit of what you think you can bear and I’m going to show you that you can handle more than you ever imagined."

"Damien..."

"Yes Sarah." His thumb brushed across her bottom lip again, silencing her.

" You made your choice when you came here tonight. Now you follow through."

It should have angered her that presumption, that dominance, that absolute certainty that she’d obey.

Instead, it sent heat pooling low in her belly.

"Stand up."

The command was soft but absolute. Aria’s body obeyed before her mind could protest, standing on shaking legs between his spread knees.

Damien remained seated, looking up at her with those piercing gray eyes. "Take off the sweater."

Her hands went to the hem automatically, then froze. "Someone could.."

"The door is locked. The staff quarters are on the other side of the house. We’re completely alone." His expression didn’t change. "Take it off, Sarah."

The way he said her fake name..with that slight emphasis that suggested he knew it was fake but was playing along anyway sent a shiver through her.

Her hands were trembling as she gripped the hem of her sweater and pulled it over her head. The air felt cool against her heated skin, and she resisted the urge to cross her arms over her chest.

She stood before him in just her jeans and a simple white cotton bra nothing fancy, nothing seductive. Just plain, practical undergarments.

But the way Damien looked at her made her feel like she was wearing the finest lingerie.

"Beautiful," he said quietly, his eyes traveling over her slowly, deliberately. "Even better than I imagined."

"You imagined.."

"Constantly. Since the moment you walked into my house." His hands reached out, fingers hooking into her belt loops and pulling her closer. "Do you know how many meetings I’ve sat through this week barely paying attention because I was too busy thinking about this? About you? About what you’d look like. How you’d feel. What sounds you’d make when I touched you."

His lips pressed against her stomach, just above the waistband of her jeans, and Aria’s knees nearly buckled.

"I want to see all of you," Damien murmured against her skin. "Every inch. But not tonight. Tonight is just about this...about breaking down your walls. About teaching you that surrender isn’t weakness."

His hands slid up her sides, thumbs brushing the undersides of her breasts, and she couldn’t suppress the whimper that escaped.

"Responsive," he observed with satisfaction. "So sensitive. Have you ever been touched like this before, Sarah? Has anyone ever made you feel like this?"

She shook her head, unable to form words.

"Good." The possessiveness in his voice was unmistakable. "Then I’ll be the only one. The only man who knows how to make you tremble. The only hands you’ll crave. The only touch that will satisfy you."

It was arrogant. Presumptuous. Should have made her angry.

Instead, it made her desperately, achingly aroused.

His hands moved to her back, finding the clasp of her bra. "I’m going to take this off now. And you’re going to let me. Because you want this as much as I do."

"Damien.."

"Stop thinking. Just feel."