The Couple's Banter
When Eva got to his office bedroom she look around the perfect cozy place. The room smelled faintly of cedarwood and clean linen, a subtle warmth that contrasted with the crisp, air-conditioned coolness of the outer office. But she was really exhausted, so Eva sank into the wide leather couch, its cushions almost swallowing her whole. For the first time that day, she let herself exhale without thinking.
She didn't know when her eyes fluttered shut, but the next thing she felt was the soft weight of a throw blanket draped over her. She stirred slightly, opening her eyes to see Damien standing nearby, sleeves rolled up, tie loosened.
"You were shivering," he said simply, as if it explained everything.
Eva sat up a little, clutching the blanket to her chest. "How long was I asleep?"
"An hour," he said, glancing at his watch. "I was tempted to let you sleep the whole afternoon, but then you'd blame me for not waking you when you had work to do."
She smiled faintly. "You've been in here?"
"Checking in," Damien replied, his voice even but his eyes giving away more than his words. "You, talk in your sleep."
Her cheeks burned. "I do not."
He tilted his head, smirking just a little. "You do. And you pout."
Eva groaned softly and buried her face in the blanket. "I'm starting to regret marrying you."
"Too late for regrets," he said, moving toward the door. "Come on. You should have your lunch before you collapse again. I had Gina send over your lunch"
Something about the casual way he spoke to her, and the fact that he was thoughtful enough to arrange for her lunch, as though it was his responsibility to make sure she stayed standing, made her feel a strange warmth she couldn't quite name.
She followed him out into the office, still wrapped in the blanket like a stubborn child. Damien glanced over his shoulder at her and shook his head.
"You're hopeless," he murmured, but there was an unmistakable softness in his tone.
Damien's desk was already stacked with files, his phone buzzing every few minutes, but instead of taking his seat right away, he leaned against the edge and watched Eva make herself comfortable in one of the visitor chairs.
"You still look half-asleep," he said, folding his arms.
"That's because I am half-asleep," she replied, resting her chin on her palm.
A flicker of amusement passed through his eyes. "Then maybe you shouldn't be working yourself to the bone for people who don't deserve it."
Her brow arched. "And who decides that? You?"
"Yes," he said without hesitation. "Because now, you're my employee, and my wife. Both are my concern."
She opened her mouth, then shut it again, unsure how to respond to the bluntness. No one had ever told her she was their concern in quite that way before.
Then he pushed a small stack of folders toward her. "Now, you're going to sit here and review these while I handle a few calls. When you're done, I'll send you home early. You need more rest."
"You're... sending me home?"
He gave her a pointed look. "Don't make me change my mind."
Eva gave a reluctant nod and reached for the first folder, but she couldn't help the small smile tugging at her lips. It wasn't the words themselves, it was the way he said them. Firm, sure, and with that quiet undercurrent that told her he wasn't just a boss or a husband. He was someone who would keep an eye on her, whether she liked it or not.
And strangely, She liked it.
She was halfway through the reviews when she noticed him, standing by the window, his tall frame outlined against the light as he spoke into his phone, voice deep and authoritative. The office felt too warm, too intimate_ too him.
"Send all reports through email. I don't want anyone stepping into my office," Damien said curtly to Eric before hanging up.
Then, in long, purposeful strides, he crossed the room toward her. Without a word, he knelt at her feet, his hands moving with unhurried precision as he slipped off her office heels. Her breath caught. He loosened her suit jacket and slid it off her shoulders, revealing the soft fabric of her blouse beneath.
When he noticed her clutching the duvet tightly around her, he looked straight into her eyes.
"Are you cold?" His voice was soft, almost indulgent.
"Y_yeah... only a little," she whispered, his closeness already overwhelming her senses.
"Then maybe," he murmured, his tone turning low and dangerously smooth, "what you need isn't a duvet. Should I keep you warm instead?" His gaze roamed over her like a slow caress, and heat pooled in her cheeks.
"I... I think it's wrong to do that in the office," she stammered, fumbling for composure.
One brow arched, his lips twitching with amusement. "Wrong to turn on the heater? Or, what exactly are you thinking, Mrs. Lopez?"
He asked and Eva almost disappeared from shame, her bashful face made Damian chuckle as he caressed her face with his thumb.
Her mouth opened, but nothing came out.
"Ah," he chuckled, eyes glinting. "You were thinking something silly, weren't you? Since when has your mind gotten this, polluted? Or maybe," he leaned in slightly, his thumb brushing her cheek, "you've started getting addicted to my touch?"
Her lips parted, but no words formed.
"I'll take your silence as a yes," he said in that maddeningly calm voice. "If you want me, just say it, I'll give it to you. Even here in the office. Perks of being married to your boss."
She stared at him, completely undone, watching the curve of his smile, his smile was dangerously beautiful. Then, as if nothing had happened, he adjusted her skirt with careful precision.
"You said you were cold, cover up properly." His eyes narrowed, studying he as he looked strangely at her forehead. "Is that sweat on your forehead? Wait, are you sweating while feeling cold?"
Her heart nearly stopped. And Eva felt she couldn't take this anymore, she feared she might suffer a heart attack, he was just too much all over her. And yes, she was feeling cold earlier but then his touch and close proximity to her had generated so much heat, making her feel hot within and now she was sweating, but she felt so ashamed when he put it like that.
"Why are you looking like that?" He said chuckling again. "You look cute. Too cute I doubt I can ever get enough"
He pulled the duvet from her, tossing it aside. "You won't be needing this anymore, Mrs. Lopez. You've generated enough heat," he added with a knowing smirk before disappearing into the inner chamber.
Eva sat frozen for a moment, her palm pressed to her burning cheek. Oh wow, that was something, she said to herself, still reeling.
When he returned, it was as though nothing had happened, he simply took his seat and resumed his work. But Eva's chest felt tight with something unfamiliar, something addictive. She caught herself wishing he'd come back, continue the teasing, the nearness, because as much as she hated to admit it, she was beginning to crave Damien, his presence, his voice, even his maddening arrogance.
Soon, hunger began to gnaw at her, though she hadn't said a word. But before her stomach growled, Damien suddenly rose from his chair. Without a word, he walked over to the thermos, opened it, and took out the food Gina had sent earlier. He set it in front of her with quiet precision.
Eva's chest warmed at the gesture. She picked up her cutlery, ready to eat, but noticed him already walking back to his seat.
"Take a break, Miss Lopez. Eat something," he said casually, eyes back on his documents.
She glanced at the generous portion, realizing she couldn't possibly finish it alone. "You're not eating?" she asked softly.
"I'll pass. Not exactly a fan of Gina's cooking," he replied without looking up.
"But she's such a great cook," Eva said, taking her first bite and when she chewed she widened her eyes in disbelief, the flavor exploded in her mouth. It was delicious. Too delicious to keep to herself.
Without thinking, she hopped off her chair, padded barefoot across the room, and stopped at his desk, food in hand. Damien looked up, brows raised.
"What happened?" he asked, his deep voice laced with mild amusement.
With food still in her mouth, she mumbled, "You have to taste this, it's amazing it really taste so good I promise" Before he could protest, she scooped a spoonful and pushed it gently toward his lips.
He obliged, but his expression suggested he wasn't impressed.
Eva perched herself right on his desk, eating and feeding him spoon after spoon. He accepted reluctantly, glancing between her and the food.
"I think that's enough. I'm full," he finally managed to say since he can't seem to take it anymore.
"One more bite I promise. Besides you eat a lot, I know that from how you eat my food" she teased as she stuffed another spoonful food into his mouth,
"That's because it's your food, it's different"
"How is it different? Gina cooks better than I do, and this tastes amazing!"
"Too much spice," he countered.
"No way, the spices blend perfectly!"
"Not for me," he said, opening a bottle of water. But before he could drink, she snuck in another spoonful, grinning.
"Really?" he asked, one brow lifting.
"Mm-hm," she chuckled, feeding him again.
His eyes lingered on her now, slower, darker. "Don't start what you can't finish, Mrs. Lopez."
She stuffed another spoon in his mouth.
"Try that again," he said, voice low and smooth, "and you'll get what's coming to you Eva Lopez."
The dangerous steamy warning made her swallow hard. Especially when Damien said it in that cool sexy voice as his eyes dilated while staring at her seductively and Eva swallowed again, she wasn't sure she wants to take on that challenge, he had already eaten enough anyways, so she thought it was only wise to quit the banter, she wasn't ready to limp home today, so she gently climbed down from the desk and was about retreating back to her seat but Damien caught her just in time.
"Where do you think you are going Mrs Lopez? Are you that cowardly?" He said pulling and tugging her gently into his lap, his arm firm around her waist. He eyed the almost-empty plate, then picked up the bottled water and brought it to her lips. When she finished sipping, he wiped her mouth with a napkin, tucking stray strands of hair behind her ear.
His voice dropped to a velvet murmur. "You had your way. Now it's my turn."
Then his lips claimed hers.
The kiss was slow at first, savoring, his fingers threading into her hair as he tilted her head to deepen it. She melted instantly, her hands clutching his shirt as his mouth moved over hers with controlled hunger. Every brush of his lips, every teasing flick of his tongue, drew a shiver from her. Heat coiled low in her belly, and she leaned into him, letting his warmth consume her.
Just as his hand began to slide down her back, a sudden ringtone cut through the air like cold water.
Damien exhaled against her lips, clearly annoyed, but pulled back. He fished out his phone, answering with one hand while his eyes stayed locked on her retreating form. The faint curve of his mouth told her she wouldn't escape for long.
When the call ended, he turned to find her cheeks flushed as red as ripe cherries. "I have a meeting that'll last until evening. You should leave early without me."
"I should be there, as your PA," she said quickly, standing.
"No," he said firmly. "I don't want to stress you. Go home. Rest. Make sure to rest" He paused, eyes narrowing in that wicked way that made her heart jump. "Because tonight, I plan on stretching you further."
Her breath caught.
He slipped on his jacket, gathering documents. "Stay in the office as long as you want, no one will disturb you." And with that, he left.
Eva bit her lower lip, trying to calm the butterflies dancing wildly inside her. She was really starting to love being married to Damien, too much.
But good times sometimes tends to last only for a while.
Thus the saying, good times never last forever.
And that's the sad part...