HIS DOE, HIS DAMNATION (An Erotic Billionaire Romance) novel Chapter 45

My heart stuttered, and I looked away from him.

“Hi, Alaric,” Nova said to him. “Looks like you’ve been busy.”

Alaric let out an amused breath. “Hardly.”

I didn’t say anything, do anything except stare down at the envelope.

This was too much. Way too much for someone like me even if it wasn’t a show of affection. Nova leaned in to whisper. “I think I’m gonna go, Meds. Will you be okay?”

I opened my mouth, unable to speak for a few seconds, but when my voice finally came out, it was hoarse.. “Uh, yeah.” I forced a smile. “Thank you for coming, Nov. Really.”

“Of course.” Nova rose to her feet, smiling back at me despite the heavy concern swirling in her eyes.” Text me later?”

“Promise.”

I didn’t turn to watch her leave. Because if I did, then I would have to look at Alaric who was still standing by the door.

The tension in the air nearly rendered the air conditioning useless and the hair at the back of my neck stood at attention.

I hated that my body was too aware of him.

Then, he finally spoke. “I thought you’d already forgiven me for what I did last night and this morning.”

“I have.” My voice trembled. My fists clenched around the envelope as I heard him step further into the room. I counted his steps–seven.

“Then why do I feel like you’re avoiding looking at me?”

An airy laugh escaped my mouth. “I’m not-”

“Finish that sentence and you’ll end up turned over my lap.” His voice sounded so close that I nearly jumped out of my skin, a gasp tearing from my throat.

The thought of him doing exactly what he just said made my core clench with need.

Alaric’s hand came down onto my shoulder and I swallowed, enjoying the feel of his large hand on my skin even though nervousness buzzed beneath it.

“Alaric…” I trailed off, swallowing again.

“Come here,” he murmured, and then he was pulling me up before I could even move.

And finally, I was facing him. The top three buttons of his black button–up shirt were undone, the tattoo peeking out from beneath the left side of his collar.

“Look at me, Meadow.”

Slowly, I did. His arm slid around my waist, grazing my bare skin underneath my top while my own hands hung limp at my sides, one still clutching the envelope.

Alaric’s brows furrowed in concern. “Do you not like the dresses?”

“No…I mean I-“I stuttered, letting out a frustrated breath as he pinned me with his gaze. “They’re lovely, really. Everything is. I just… this is a lot, Alaric, and for just one party. Did you have to?”

His eyes narrowed but he didn’t say a word. Panic gripped my chest. Oh, god. What if he thought-

“I’m not trying to be ungrateful,” I said quickly, shaking my head. “I love this. All of it, I promise. I…”

I trailed off as something thick clogged my throat. I didn’t know what else to say, how else to put this in a way that he wouldn’t see me as weird or dramatic, or even worse–overly damaged.

And frankly, if I delved into this, I would be inviting memories of my childhood. My past.

And that was one thing I was willing to keep from Alaric.

But the fact remained that I didn’t deserve this. My mother made sure it was ingrained in my brain that I didn’t deserve nice things.

‘You’re not worth it, Meadow,‘ she would say. ‘It’s for your sister, not you, you little pig.‘

So did I love that Alaric did this for me? Yes. Did I deserve it? No. Was I overreacting?

Probably. This was just Alaric being Alaric. Thoughtful and kind and-

“Did you read the note yet, or did your imposter syndrome convince you not to accept that as well?”

My heart stuttered in shock, my gaze snapping to his. And they swirled with amusement. “You’re not that difficult to read, baby.” His voice was low, sending shivers down my spine as his thumb drew circles mindlessly around a spot on my waist.

“Let me guess what you’re thinking right now,” he murmured, jerking me hard against him. “Will you let me?”

My eyes dropped to his lip as he scraped his teeth over the bottom.

“Will you walk away if I say no?” I breathed, raising my free hand to play with his buttons.

“Fair point.” He smirked. “Turn around.”

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