NOVEL NEXT Chapter 73: Let's Start with ABC
A small and bashful smile spread across Katherine's lips when she tapped on her phone to text Damien. He was supposed to fetch her soon and she wanted to know where they were going so she could dress up appropriately.
[King Damien: You can wear a dress. As long as you're comfortable. I'll pick you up in an hour.]
Sheepishly, she put her phone down and started to rummage her wardrobe. It was the first time that she wanted to impress Damien by wearing something nice but her inner self was telling her to chill. So among the bunch of dresses that she had in the closet, she chose a simple classic white dress with front wrap closure. It was both casual yet flirty because of the amount of skin that her legs were showing.
Wearing the dress, it fell just right on her mid-thighs. She went to choose a pair of shoes to wear and her brows knitted when she saw the rack was full. She swore that she only had a few pairs including the ones that Damien bought for her before. Sighing, she guessed that he was the only culprit; she needed to talk to him about this later.
Her eyes were fixated on a pair of suede pumps in bisque that totally went with her dress. And just as she wore them on her feet, the doorbell rang. She checked herself out on the mirror quickly before she headed to answer the door.
She hadn't even opened the door halfway yet when Damien already invited himself in, cupped both sides of her face and greeted her with an unexpected, affectionate kiss on the lips that lasted a few seconds before he pulled away and uttered, "Hi."
Katherine released a gasp, "H-hi." This man could totally sweep her off her feet anytime — and she wouldn't even mind.
Damien lowered a hand and held hers. He twirled her around to see all of her and proudly complimented, "You look heavenly."
She giggled at his silliness. They had seen each other a few hours ago and he was all touchy-feely with her and being all sweet — not that she was complaining. He was also looking like a model like he always did. "How was your meeting?" She tried to push her thirsty thoughts away.
"It was okay. Let's not talk about work. It's a Saturday, Katherine…. Let's go out on a date."
Nodding, Katherine let him take her by the hand and the two entered the elevator. As soon as it closed, Damien shocked her by turning in front of her, drew her close to him and kissed her silly — she felt like she was floating in a sea of Damien's tasty scent, molesting her nose.
"B-Boss… Someone's… going to… see us," she said and shot a glance at the CCTV camera planted at the top corner of the small space. Damien was blocking her so whoever was currently on duty could only see his back.
"Don't worry about them. They wouldn't dare say anything. They already know the consequences," he reassured but released her anyway.
She was thankful she wore a kissproof lipstick or she would have already been concerned about looking like a clown at that moment.
The elevator stopped at a certain floor and several guests came inside. Damien stood beside Katherine at the back of the elevator — stealthily interlacing his hands with hers and brought her hand slightly to her back. If anyone would turn their heads towards them, they would only look like they stood close to each other.
A grin threatened to appear on his gorgeous face when he noticed how red Katherine's ears were. His little minx was definitely enjoying his touchiness — and he sure didn't plan on toning it down.
When they arrived at the ground floor, he slightly leaned down until his lips were just right above her ear and spoke in a sexy, raspy voice, "By the way, I love what you're wearing."
She felt his hot breath on the delicate part of her ear, making her instantly clench her thighs together and clear her throat.
Damien let go of her hand and walked ahead of her, leaving her to catch her breath as she forgot to breathe before she followed after him and tried to maintain a poker face until she reached his car.
'You Devil of a King. Just you wait,' she said in her mind as though she was a match to his shamelessness.
…
Damien booked a private room in a fancy restaurant that was located in the heart of the city. She had gone there once with him for a business meeting and he remembered that she loved their food.
"I hope you don't mind that I already ordered for you," he said.
Katherine flashed a bright smile and was grateful. "Not at all… You remembered." She only said it in passing once and he already remembered.
"Of course. Anything that concerns you, Katherine. I always try to take note of it." He had just touched the back of her hand when his phone rang.
"It's Markus, sorry… I need to take this."
"It's okay. I need to go to the ladies' room too."
After excusing herself, she walked out of the room and headed towards the restrooms at the far end of the hallway. She was about to turn to the right when she bumped into a man in a grey suit and her purse fell to the ground.
"I'm sorry, Miss."
"Oh, I'm sorry," she said at the same time he did.
The man immediately picked up the purse from the floor and handed it over to her but his eyes grew wide when he had a good look at her.
Katherine formed a gentle smile on her face as she received the purse and looked at him when she said, "Thank you."
The man was tall with blonde hair and clear blue eyes that stared at her as if he was studying her. She bowed slightly before she walked past him and entered the restroom.
The man was still in a daze until a woman's voice called over him from a distance, "Christopher, are you ready to go? Our flight's almost boarding."
Snapping out of his stupor, he nodded to the woman and answered, "Uh… yes, I'll be right there." He glanced at the door of the ladies' room and narrowed his eyes before he walked away and whipped out his phone.
…
Damien and Katherine had started eating several minutes ago. He was enjoying his meal as much as he loved watching her sigh every time she placed a piece of grilled lamb meat in her mouth — obviously satisfied with the sumptuous taste.
"How was your food?" he asked despite already knowing her answer.
"It's amazing, Boss. Just like the first time that I have tried it," Katherine was full-on smiles. Food made her happy. And obviously, Damien made her happy.
"Umm… Boss, can you stop buying shoes for me… or clothes… amongst other things," she started when she recalled the many surprises she would see in her closet and kitchen whenever she got back home from work.
"But I love buying you stuff."
"I appreciate it, Boss, so thank you very much. But, there's already a lot. And I don't think I need jars of caviar laying around the kitchen when I don't even eat it on a daily basis."
Damien chuckled, "The caviar… I thought you'd love them. They're actually gifts from sponsors, I just thought you should try them."
"Well, okay… fine, I can try a jar. But I don't know what to do with the others unless I could sell them and make some cash," she casually responded, making him laugh once again.
"You can do whatever you want with them." He took a sip of his wine and added, "Also, can you stop calling me Boss?"
"But… you are my Boss," she replied in a small voice.
"Yes, during work hours. But I don't think calling me Boss — when I'm your boyfriend — is appropriate."
Katherine choked on her food and was sent into a coughing fit, patting her chest — she thought she was going to die of embarrassment. "B-B-Boyfriend?"
Handing her a glass of water, Damien had a sly look on his face as he raised a brow, "Why? Am I not?" A silly grin cast on his face when he saw her cheeks and ears tainted with red. She was adorable.
Katherine drank the entire glass of water whilst avoiding his teasing stare. This man really knew how to play with her. "What should I call you then?"
"Honey, I could give you a list of endearments from A-Z if you want."
He leaned forward, tilted his head and continued, "I can start with ABC – Amore mio... Baby… Chérie…"
She became even redder as she bit her lip and Damien decided to be a little gentler with her. "You already called me by my name a couple of times before. Why don't you try that instead? At least when we're not working or we're alone…"
Nodding, she tried, "Okay… Damien."
A bright and satisfied smile appeared on his face upon hearing her say his name. "Good girl. Now, finish your food. We're going somewhere afterward."
- Italian for my love
- French for 'my dear'. It's for someone you cherish. mon chéri (if they're male) or ma chérie (if they're female) [SH-EH-REE]