Faking it with Damian Black novel (Millie) novel Chapter 63

Chapter 63

-MILLIE-

Xander peered down at me, his brown eyes questioning. For someone who took pleasure in pushing my buttons, I’m surprised by his assertiveness. No doubt, recognition was written all over my face.

I had to give this one to Damian. I did not see this coming.

“Thanks for the dance.” Xander lifted my hand to his mouth, kissing my knuckles and winking at me.

I was so fixated on Damian that I didn’t bother glowering at Xander.

Damian. My God. He looked different but the same. Still beautiful and never fails to take my breath away. Everything faded as he stepped closer. The music played by the band and the people swaying around us became inconsequential in his presence. Nothing mattered but the man smiling at me, his seeking eyes roaming over my features.

“Millicent,” his voice was low and steady. My name was a sweet sound falling out of his lips.

My breath got caught in my throat, my heartbeat galloping. He was really here,

“Damian,” I swallowed, pinching myself back to reality. “What… what are you doing here?”

I bite my tongue. ‘Really, Millicent? That’s all you got for him? What are you doing here?’

In our month-long separation forced by his absence, I’ve pictured this moment a hundred times and rehearsed what I would say to him. ‘What are you doing here?’ was definitely not part of the script.

I’ve got questions that demand answers. He ignored me. I was mad and annoyed and aching inside, but I knew I had no right to be. How f**ked up was that?

“I believe I asked for a dance,” He flashed that same smile that had my heart melting into a puddle of goo.

Pursing my lips, I stood taller, shoulders squared, and leveled him with a stare. “No.”

His eyebrows knitted. “No?”

“No, Damian,” my voice was firm.

Chapter 63

“What?” He blinked, surprised that I declined.

Does he think I would be pliant to whatever plot he’s playing again? Not anymore.

Fist clenched on my side, I turned and forced my shaking legs to move, taking one step at a time, careful not to trip and fall as I walked away from him. Weaving through the dancing crowd, I exhaled loudly when I made it through, but Damian was on my heels before I could get far.

“Millicent, wait.” His rough fingers circled my biceps. His hold was gentle, loose enough for me to snatch my arm back as though his touch burned me.

“What is it, Damian?” my voice was pitchy.

“Can we talk?”

“Talk? What for? You didn’t bother talking to me for a month,” I huffed.

“There’s no excuse for that,” he murmured, looking around. We’re at the corner of the reception, far enough to have privacy, but Damian has another idea in mind. “I’m here to clear the air between us.”

I could decline. It’s f**king tempting to deprive him of the right to ever speak to me again and let things end this way. We don’t owe each other anything. He made sure I got that message loud and clear in the last four weeks.

If I let him explain, it would complicate everything again. My brain and body couldn’t be trusted when it came to Damian. But then the fact remained. He will always be a part of my life. I would see him at family gatherings and important holidays, and knowing myself, I would always wonder what happened and why he suddenly disappeared, so I nodded.

His tensed shoulders loosened as he sighed, then he tipped his head to the dimly lit walk path circling around the villa.

“Walk with me?”

He steered us away from the reception, away from the glowing lights of the lanterns and the chatter and music of the celebrating crowd. We walked in silence. Electric pulse zapped my skin each time his knuckles would brush against mine as we lumbered under the light of the moon,

He was in deep thought. I could hear the gears in his mind moving against the cacophony of mine.

“I went after Aidan,” he said once we paused at the banks of the lake behind the villa, the moon glowing against the waters.

Chapter 63

“Where is he?” I asked, dreading the answer he’d give me.

“He can’t hurt you again.”

Struggling not to panic, I asked calmly. “What did you do to him?”

“Do you really want the answer to that?” I sucked in a breath, looking at him with wide eyes. The gray moon illuminated his side profile. There was a crumple in his forehead, and his mouth pulled down into a frown. He’s brooding. Something dark lurked underneath that calm mask he was wearing.

Words elude me. Do I want to know? From Damian’s tone, something had happened to him and Aidan. Something that would change the way I looked at him.

He turned to face me, hands tucked in the pockets of his dress pants. His hair was longer now, its ends rubbing the collar of his dress shirt, a few strands falling over his forehead. He looked tired and weary. Offering a sad smile, he murmured, “I kept my promise, Millicent. That’s all you have to know.”

Oh, no.

Though fear and panic made my belly clench, I tried to keep my voice controlled, repeating my question. “You didn’t-” I shook my head, the words trapped in my throat.

Damian remained perfectly calm, his breathing shallow as he smiled at me. “I didn’t kill him, if that’s what you’re asking.”

Relief washed over me. His answer didn’t mean Aidan was unharmed, but at least he’s still alive, right?

I licked my dry lips, rubbing my hands together as the cold air caressed my bare skin. “Is that the reason you didn’t return my messages and calls?”

Gazing into my eyes, he pinned me with a stare that poured loads of bricks on my chest. I prepared for this day since I realized I’d fallen in love with Damian. He’s about to end everything. Put a period on our story.

“No.”

I choked on my emotions, staggering back on my heels. “You don’t have to explain,” I said. “I perfectly understand?

His eyebrows curled. “You do?”

I hummed a yes, facing the waters. “Can I tell you something?”