The CEO’s Masked Secret Wife

Damon's POV

When Sterling called asking me to be his best man, I figured it was just good manners, showing gratitude for me saving his kid. But when he mentioned I'd be paired with that petite girl, my pulse quickened. I booked the first flight out Friday afternoon, heading straight to Haven Harbor. Damian offered his guest room until I could find my own place. We'd known each other since we were kids, back when his family ran the biggest cattle ranch in Crestwood, supplying my father's meatpacking business.

The bachelor party was everything I expected from these guys. Poker, bourbon, and Cuban cigars filled the night. I blended in easily with the crew, and Jasper, another guy I'd met before, offered to sell me his furnished apartment since he was moving in with his girlfriend. We planned to check it out Sunday. Everything was falling into place for my new life here. But honestly, all I could think about was seeing her again.

I was adjusting my tie when Damian knocked and stuck his head through the door.

"Looking good, man," Damian strolled in with that easy confidence he'd always had.

"Think I've got a shot with the short girl?" I turned toward him, spreading my arms wide.

"Dude, you're like a skyscraper next to her. She might run scared," Damian grinned.

"I can handle that," I replied with certainty.

"You'll need more than confidence. Her friends are protective as hell. Felix's the baby of the group, and those girls guard her like attack dogs. She's only eighteen, Damon." His tone carried a warning.

"That's exactly what's got me second-guessing myself. I don't usually mess around with girls that young. But there's something about her..." I grabbed my wallet and secured my service weapon in its ankle holster.

"You really need that thing?" Damian watched me check the strap.

"I'm a cop. This gun is part of me, like having an extra arm. Only time it comes off is in the shower." I pulled my pant leg down. "Besides, there's still some lunatic out there targeting the happy couple."

"Fair enough. Ready to head out? The house is just down the street. Girls are already there."

My stomach tightened with anticipation knowing I'd see her soon.

We collected Liam from the living room, where he was pacing like a caged animal, and headed to the ceremony location. My nerves were buzzing. At thirty-five, I considered myself pretty appealing. I kept myself in excellent shape, maintained my black hair in a regulation cut, waxed my chest regularly, and kept my beard perfectly trimmed. My black eyes and six-foot-five frame with broad shoulders and sculpted muscles from daily workouts usually got attention. I was an experienced man, and she was probably barely five feet tall. But something about her had hooked me completely.

The moment we arrived, the women started complaining about us being late. I found it amusing how they had my new buddies completely whipped, especially Damian, who practically rolled over for that redhead. They swarmed me, gushing thanks for what I'd done, which embarrassed me slightly but seemed like a good sign. Then they officially introduced me to her.

"Detective, meet Felix. She's your partner today," Chloe announced, nudging Felix toward me.

"Aren't you adorable," I said instinctively, smiling down at her. "Pleasure to meet you properly, Felix. We didn't get introduced the other day." I took her hand and gave her three gentle kisses on her cheek.

"Pl-please-pleased to meet you, officer," Felix stammered visibly. Her hands were ice cold and trembling, slightly damp with nervousness. I found it endearing.

"Just Damon," I gave her my most charming smile.

Felix was stunning. Long hair with golden streaks caught the light, bright brown eyes framed by thick lashes, heart-shaped lips on a doll-like face, delicate frame with a tiny waist, perfect curves, small firm breasts, and golden skin that showed bikini tan lines beneath that strapless yellow dress.

"Okay, Damon." She flashed a gorgeous smile showing perfect white teeth.

We chatted while Liam greeted arriving guests. When the ceremony began, I offered Felix my arm as Chloe organized the processional. When her delicate hand slipped through my arm, Chloe looked us over and said, "You're massive, aren't you?"

"If you want, Chl, Felix could walk with Adrian and I'll take the deputy," Stella suggested, making Adrian scowl.

"Not happening, Stella. I'm staying with shorty," I responded quickly.

"Easy there, tiger," Chloe looked at Felix with a mischievous grin.

That made me laugh out loud while Felix's cheeks turned pink.

"Don't worry, Chloe. I know how to be gentle and careful." Chloe smiled knowingly at my double meaning, making Felix blush deeper.

I stayed glued to Felix's side throughout the entire wedding, taking full advantage of being her assigned partner. We talked constantly and danced multiple times. I felt her gradually relaxing around me, giving me room to shower her with attention and charm. When the reception ended, I offered to drive her home, saving Noah the trouble.

I took her tiny hand, which looked even smaller engulfed in mine, and led her to the car I'd bought and picked up from the dealership right after arriving in Haven Harbor. I opened her door and helped arrange her dress's long skirt. As I reached across to buckle her seatbelt, I positioned myself closer than necessary, bringing us face to face.

"There. Now you're secure," I said, studying that beautiful face and smiling.

"Th-th-thank you," Felix replied, clearly rattled by my closeness. I decided to push a little.

"Are you scared of me, Felix?" She shook her head. "Then why the nerves?"

"It's just... it's just..." I didn't let her finish. I leaned in and captured those beautiful lips.

I started slowly and softly, just barely touching. Felix gasped in surprise. I deepened the kiss, parting her lips with my tongue and intensifying the connection. She was shaking, seeming completely inexperienced, almost like this was her first kiss. But that couldn't be possible.

"Relax, shorty," I murmured against her lips before kissing her even more intensely.

Felix finally began to melt, sliding her small hands up my shoulders and embracing me delicately. I pulled her closer and kissed her with hungry desire, like I wanted to consume her completely. When we broke apart, we were both gasping, her lips swollen and glistening, her eyes brighter than ever.

"You're incredible," I whispered against her ear, kissing there before trailing down her neck.

I boldly moved my hand to cup one of her breasts, squeezing gently while sucking on her delicate neck. Felix went rigid under my touch, like she was startled. I immediately moved my hand back to her neck and returned to kissing her lips. She relaxed again and responded to the kiss. We stayed there making out for long minutes, and the more I kissed her, the more she loosened up and matched my rhythm.

"Do I really have to take you home?" I asked, hoping she'd say no.

"Yes, you do," she sighed against my mouth.

"Then let's go." I reluctantly pulled away and walked around to the driver's side.

"Put your address in the GPS, beautiful shorty," I requested while fastening my seatbelt.

The entire drive passed in silence. It seemed like this girl had a million thoughts racing through her head. But I was beginning to suspect that my little one wasn't just young but also completely inexperienced. This was puzzling, since she was eighteen, and eighteen-year-old girls today usually aren't so innocent. But I filed that observation away, knowing I'd need to find out for sure.

"We're here, shorty," I announced, pulling up to her building. "Going to invite me up?" I smiled suggestively.

I was dying to know if she was really as inexperienced as she seemed. I don't usually go for naive young girls, and I don't find inexperience entertaining. I'm not the type willing to play teacher. I prefer women who know what they want, in life and in bed, who know how to satisfy a man. But this shorty had something that turned me on, and I couldn't even identify what it was. All I knew was that when I walked into that office, our eyes locked, and I couldn't get her out of my head. But if she was truly inexperienced, this wouldn't work. I liked intense, passionate sex without complications, mind-blowing and wild with mutual hunger. Inexperienced girls still wanted romance and gentle guys, which wasn't my style.

"Um... do you want to come up?" She sounded nervous.

"If it's going to make you uncomfortable, then no." I was being honest.

"You know what, let's go up." She was breathing heavily, seeming to argue with herself. "Am I nervous? Yes, I'm nervous. But you're so attractive there's no reason to be nervous. Yes, let's go up."

I got out and walked around the car. When she stood up, I pressed her against the vehicle, lowering my head to whisper in her ear.

"Just so you know, I'm not just attractive. But like I promised, I know how to be gentle and careful with a woman."

Felix released a sigh that hit my ear and sent heat straight to my groin. I gripped her waist and lifted her up, pressing her against the car so she could feel my arousal. Her eyes went wide and she stared at me in shock.

"Let's go upstairs. We need to talk," I said, giving her a quick kiss and taking her hand toward the building. I had to know exactly how inexperienced this girl was.