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.
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SLOANE
I blinked rapidly as I looked at Michele and then my head snapped towards my brother who seemed to think about what Michele had just informed him. Would he do-
“ No! “
My eyes widened at my raised voice as everyone looked at me with a questionable look. My eyes met my brother’s and he gave me a stern confused look probably taken aback by what I just did.
“ I-i mean. We should not bring Someone’s personal life- “
“ everything is fair in love and war sweetheart “
Michele smirked playfully and I gulped nervously.
“ and you don’t need to worry about that “
My brother cleared me in his demanding and authoritative voice making me shut my mouth instantly. I looked down and mentally scolded myself.
“ and tomorrow is my wedding and Katie wants you both to help her tonight “
Vivian excitedly jumped at Katie’s name. Katie was Michele’s fiancée. A very calm and pretty woman who’s been part of my life for years now. Eventually I hated her after finding out she was Michele’s love but I quickly got over of my teenage crush.
“ will you come with us ? “
Michele asked Vincein who shook his head.
“ I will meet you in morning. I have some work left that needs my attention “
Michele nodded his head.
“ then I’ll take you both in an hour “
Michele told me and Vivian before walking away with my brother. As soon as they both were out of my sight, I quickly turned my head towards Vivian who got startled.
“ the heck babe- “
“ they should not know anything about the girl who was seen with Damon Santiago “
Vivian gave me a weird look.
“ why? “
She asked, cluelessly. My heart skipped a beat and I hesitated. My lips parted to speak but no words came out. I stood up quickly and turned my head away.
“ just no one should find out “
“ baby. Why are you so stressed about it? And its your brother’s business “
“ Vivian. It’s not his business “
I completed my words and turned to look at Vivian in desperation. Desperate for help.
“ first of all, your brother will do what he wants to and second, stop stressing your ass. It’s not as if it was you- “
Before I could give another excuse, Vivian widened her eyes as if she realized and looked at me with wide eyes.
“ the club- we went- you- “
“ shhh! “
She quickly covered her mouth with her palm and looked at me in horror as if she had seen a ghost. I bit my inner lip nervously and my hands trembled.
“ its you! “
“ viv ! “
I warned her to lower her voice, scared anyone would hear and that day would be the end of me.
“ help me “
All of a sudden, we both felt a presence behind us and I slowly turned around to look at …… Michele. My eyes widened scared if he heard us.
“ help you in what? “
Vivian exhaled sharply and sighed. I elbowed her slowly and shook my head.
“ packing. For tomorrow “
Vivian quickly threw a lie and I mentally sighed in relief. Michele nodded his head and looked at the time on his watch and looked back at us again.
“ I’m waiting in car “
I nodded my head and me and Vivian rushed towards my bedroom before we were caught by our own mistake.
.
.
The drive to the hotel was short but it felt like eternity. I barely noticed the streets as the car pulled up to the front. I gulped nervously as Michele asked us to wait for him in lobby so he could escort us to Katie.
I nervously looked at Vivian thinking of our previous conversation while she was busy eyeing men.
I hit her elbow and she gasped giving me a glare in return.
“ the heck, baby “
“ viv. I’m in stress and you’re ogling men- “
She rolled her eyes before gazing at one of the worker leaning against the reception counter using his phone doing whatever.
“ we can do something after the wedding tomorrow “
She said and got busy in her shameless act once again making me want to cry. All of a sudden , I heard something which sent chills down my spine.
“ take these to room no 380. Damon Santiago is staying there. He should not have any problem here “
The manager spoke to one of the worker. Damon was here? My heart skipped a beat hearing his name but an idea popped in my mind. I will tell him about this matter. This matter was something as sensitive to Damon as it was me.
“ Vivian. I’m going “
I told her but she seemed to did not hear and I sighed, shaking my head at her carelessness but I did not waste a single second before rushing towards the elevator where that worker had gone.
I quickly followed him and the worker greeted with a small hello before pressing the floor button. I gulped and being an introvert was not gonna help at this moment so I decided to do something.
“ are you going to Damon’s room ? “
The worker looked at me and gave me a brief look as if judging me.
“ oh. I heard you were going to his room to give him some stuff. I am his friend and going to see him “
He nodded and smiled politely.
“ i can give him these if you want “
I proposed an idea and crossed my fingers hoping he’d agree and to my luck , he did.
“ okay “
He handed me the bag and soon the elevator door opened. I stepped out as quickly as I could before rushing towards room no 380. I gasped as I stopped in front of the room and knocked on the door but no response.
I twisted the knob hoping it would be open by some magic and it indeed was. A small smile appeared on my lips as I quickly pushed the door opened and closed it behind me.
It was dark and I carefully took steps forward. I saw door of a room opened and a dim light coming lighting the hallway slightly.
I took hesitant yet quick steps. I needed to inform him as soon as I could because my brother would not wait to attack.
The room was dimly lit, bathed in the golden glow of a single lamp on the nightstand.
My eyes fell on the person laying in the middle of the bed and my eyes widened in horror as I watched in what condition he was.
Damon laid sprawled on the bed, his shirt discarded on the floor, his chest rising and falling in rhythm with his labored breaths. His head tilted back against the headboard, his eyes half-closed, a low, guttural moan escaped his lips, filled with longing and desire.
“Sloane…”
he murmured, the name tumbling from his mouth like a prayer, raw and unguarded.
The sound of my name on his lips made the moment all the more electric, as if the room itself was charged with an intensity that could set it ablaze.
Chills ran down my spine as I watched him. My thighs unknowingly clenched seein him all breathless and bare. His hand moved deliberately, his body reacting to the vivid images playing in his mind— God knows of what.
My breath hitched audibly.
My first instinct was to leave, but my feet refused to move. My mind raced, a storm of emotions swirling—shock, confusion, and something deeper I couldn’t quite name.
Damon’s eyes fluttered open briefly, and then he froze. His entire body tensed as he realized he wasn’t alone. His gaze locked on mine, wide and filled with a mix of panic and embarrassment.
“Sloane…”
he said, my name now laced with alarm rather than desire.
I blinked, my face burning as I quickly averted my eyes.
“I—I didn’t mean to—”
I stammered, taking a step back.
“I didn’t know you were—”
The bag fell from my hand as I tried to process what I just witnessed and what i heard-
“Wait!”
Damon’s voice was hoarse, his hand grabbing the sheet to cover himself as he swung his legs off the bed.
“This isn’t—God, this isn’t what it looks like.”
My eyes flickered toward him, and I swallowed hard, still unable to process what I’d walked in on.
“It’s exactly what it looks like,”
I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
He ran a hand through his hair, his face flushed.
“I didn’t mean for you to… I didn’t think you’d…”
“Say my name?”
I interrupted, my tone sharp, though my voice trembled slightly.
I could not believe my ears. Damon Santiago was touching himself, calling my name-what was he even imagining ? Was he imagining me- if he was, then maybe …… I was not mad or was i?