Love Never Fails (7 page)

Chapter 19:  Dinner Date/ Selina’s Story
I couldn’t help my heart racing out of my chest.  I prayed Damien didn’t hear it pounding away.  He got out of the limo to meet me and I was ready to throw myself in his arms. That Armani suit with the crisp white shirt unbuttoned at the collar made me want him more than I ever thought possible.  Oh God, I want to have his baby.  It was insane, pure lust and something more that I didn’t figure out yet or didn’t want to. I remembered the body that was under those clothes and had to calm myself down just thinking about it. 
I kept to my program.  Like Julia said, make him earn it and I plan on doing just that.  I kept myself frosty towards him but knowing him the brief way I do, I know he was just appeasing me.  He was a powerful man, a pure alpha male.  He would accept my attitude only so far as he already stated that I was his.  Well, I can play the game too.  I knew this dress knocked him for a loop just by his reaction.  His words to me were perfect for my answer.  As my Boss, he shouldn’t say those things to me but secretly I really loved it. 
I tried to keep my leg from his when we sat in the limo but didn’t have room to maneuver.  I thought that maybe Steve kept his leg there so I couldn’t move it.  In fact, I was almost certain of it but God bless the girls.  I knew I had Theresa and Denise in my corner, especially when Damien tried to assert his caveman tactics about me not going on the dives with the team.  One thing that Damien will learn is that I take my job very seriously and everything that goes with it, I will be a part of.  I won that battle.  
Loving that he helped me get out of the limo, I made myself hesitate a brief second to give him a reason to think that just maybe I would get out of the limo myself, but I gave in.  Another reason to feel his hand in mine was exciting.  Even though it was a brief touch, I felt the current of attraction which I’m sure he felt as well.
Deciding not to wait for the guys, Denise, Theresa and I walked towards the entrance by ourselves for a fun night of dinner and dancing.  We heard the music playing and the three of us were excited for a night out.  Theresa whispered to me to play hard to get and not to worry.  Denise agreed and the three of us turned on the charm to the doorman knowing that the guys were watching us.  They would speak more to me when they had the chance but now we were going to just enjoy the evening.
As we walked into the restaurant, it was breathtaking.  It was in a beautiful garden setting, hence the name Midnight Garden.  The lighting was subtle and very romantic.  There was even a water fall in the corner of the room with Koi fish swimming in the tank.  Whoever designed this was a genius. Seeing that the guys caught up with us, I felt Damien stand by me as the Host greeted him. I was so attuned to him that I didn’t even have to look to know he was there.
Our table was a little behind schedule which was fine with Damien. He informed the Host that we would be in the bar area for a few drinks. Walking us towards a beautiful bar area, I felt Damien put his hand on the small of my back to escort me to a table.  His hand burned right thru my dress and marked me with his possessiveness. How would I get thru this meal with him so close to me?  He seemed to sense my reaction to this as I caught his smirk as he looked down at me.  Being a total gentleman, he pulled out his chair for me as did Tom and Steve for their wives.  Taking charge ordering me a vodka/cranberry and a scotch for himself, this brought back memories and the trouble it got me in.  I’ll have one drink to relax and then have water for the rest of the night. As our drinks came to the table, Damien handed it to me as he clasped my fingers with his.  My hand shook a little as I took the glass from him.  I took several big sips of it, the alcohol hitting my stomach like a brick.  Leaning over to me, Damien put his lips to my ear. 
“Careful Princess, you know how you are when you drink.”
I just felt chills down my body as his breath teased the sensitive skin by my ear. Looking at the girls, they gave me a little smile as they watched what was going on.  My plan wasn’t working but I had to stay the course.  This man was the devil himself. He already had the right name, Damien, as in the Omen series. He certainly was the devil come to life. I have to keep this professional. 
At the right moment, Dawn said she had to use the ladies room and asked if Theresa and I would join her.  Absolutely.  I think I responded a little too enthusiastically but I have to get my balance back when dealing with Damien. Besides I needed to speak to the girls. Excusing ourselves, we made our way to the ladies room.  Dawn checked under the stalls and said we were in the clear before Theresa started talking. This night was taking on a feeling of a covert operation. 
“Listen Selina.  We know what happened on the flight.  Not all of the delicious details but we know.  We also know that Damien has real feelings for you.  Steve told us.  We can also see that you have some kind of feelings for Damien too but you are fighting it.  Good for you as it was shitty for him to do this to you but I understand why he did it.”
“You sound like my friend Julia.  I told her what I did on the plane and she was thrilled for me.  I just had dumped my fiancé and well, she wanted me to have fun to get the asshole out of my system.  Well, things just got out of hand on the flight.  God, Damien is incredible.  I can’t believe I just admitted that to the both of you.  But he’s my Boss!”
“If he doesn’t care, why should you? You are both gorgeous together.  I’ve known him a long time. Steve and Damien went to college together after Damien got out of the service.  He has never acted like this with any other woman.”
“That’s for sure,” agreed Denise. “It’s almost comical to see him suffering and dying over you.  Keep the hard act up a bit more; make him work for you and then just enjoy the fireworks.”
“I saw him today in the deli with a blonde on his arm.”
“Oh that tramp Lauren.  They have been done for quite awhile but she is still clinging to him. Just watch out for her.  I think she would stop at nothing just to keep him.”
“On a serious note, we love Damien.  We want him to be happy.  He is married to his work because he hasn’t found the right woman.  I’m thinking you might be the one for him.”
“Oh God.” I just leaned my arms on the sink. 
“We don’t want to scare you, we are in your corner, so are the guys but they will never admit it.  Steve expected Damien to be sporting a black eye after the meeting today and joked around with him that he was playing with fire.”
“Well I almost slapped him in the face but he caught my hand mid-way.  I’m not proud of that at all.  I’ve never reacted that way to anyone else.”
“It’s called passion Selina. Just go with it and we’ll be here for support.  Now let’s get out there before the alpha’s come looking for us.”
I took a deep breath and then hugged my new found sister-hood friends.  Pushing my shoulders back, I realized that the drink did go to my head a bit and thought maybe I will just ease up a bit on Damien.  If what the girls were saying was true, then maybe he really is interested in me regardless of our positions in the company.
“Ready?” Asked Denise.
“Yes, can’t wait,” I smiled back at her.
While we were in the ladies room, the hostess moved us to the main dining room where we saw all three guys deep in conversation until we came back to the table.  Standing up when we returned, I saw a new Vodka/Cranberry by my seat and thanked Damien for it.  Rubbing my hand across his back, he looked at me with a frown on his face while waiting for me to sit back down. Two can play at this game and it was one I wasn’t planning on losing.
“Thank you for my drink.  It’s just what I need.” Damien just nodded his head at me and looked across the table at Steve. Seeing Steve shrug his shoulders, Denise elbowed him slightly in his rib and said something to him. I saw Steve smile at me from across the table. Let the games begin.

Chapter 20: Damien

Five minutes in the ladies room with those two vipers and a different Selina comes out of the bathroom.  They all look like they are up to something but I’ll just go for it for now.  At least Selina doesn’t look like she will stab me with her knife when I’m not looking.  Quite the opposite.  She seems to be warming up to me out of nowhere actually and this can’t be good.  Where Theresa and Denise are concerned, anything can happen.  I run a company for God’s sake.  I can handle a slip of a woman who is gorgeous, sexy and brilliant.  Really, who am I kidding?  I’m going down with the ship.  Catching myself laughing at my thoughts, I saw Tom frowning at me.  Shaking my head at him, I mouthed the word Selina at him and he just smiled. 
The waiter came over to take our order.  I knew what I was having.  Selina was staring at the menu with a second drink in her.  As the waiter waited for her order, she turned her lovely eyes to me.
“Damien, would you be so kind as to order for me?”
“Sure Princess.  Seafood ok?”  Seeing Selina nod, I told the waiter that she will have what I’m having.
Our whole table ordered seafood as it was their signature meal.  Hearing the band start to play, Tom and Steve escorted Theresa and Denise to the floor.
Standing up, I reached my hand down to Selina.
“Dance with me.”
Selina reached her hand into mine as I pulled her to me. I walked her out to the dance floor as the song “Lady in Red” was played.  This couldn’t be more perfect.  Pulling her tightly towards me, she reached her hand up to my shoulder as my hand held her other hand close to my heart.  She stared right at my collar, never venturing further than that until I called her name.  I figured this was a good time to start my groveling.
“Selina, look at me.”  As she raised her gorgeous topaz eyes at me, I couldn’t help but touch her cheek.  “I will never regret what happened on our flight and what we shared together. I will never regret keeping from you who I was as it helped to bring us together even though it wasn’t the most honest thing to do.  I won’t settle for anything other than having you in my life, as long as it takes, as long until you can trust me again.  I don’t care that I’m your boss.  I just see an incredibly beautiful and intelligent woman in my arms that I want to know more than anything in my life. No matter what obstacles you feel are stopping us, whatever time you need to recover from your engagement, I will be as patient as I can.  You are worth the wait Selina.”
Seeing her emotions cross her face, I knew I struck a nerve within her.  Holding her in my arms, we just danced across the floor.  I knew we were at a pivotal moment if she was going to give us a chance or step away.  As the song ended, I gave her a chaste kiss on her forehead.  Seeing Tom and Steve look at me, I just gave them a slight nod to let them know I started my “groveling” with Selina.  Holding her hand back to the table, I helped her sit back down as our dinner was served with another round of drinks.  I saw the girls looking at her as Selina was quiet during the rest of the dinner.  If I only knew what was going on her in mind about all of this.

Chapter 21:  Selina

I knew the minute Damien took me out on the dance floor this would start to be the beginning of the end for me.  I couldn’t look at him at first as I knew I would have done something stupid like jump in his arms.  I thought it would be safe to just stare at his collar and keep my eyes downwards from his. That is until he called my name…. The words he said to me, not regretting for a moment how he orchestrated our meeting and what happened with us on the flight; how he would never give up.  These are all things women dream of; a man declaring his love for someone, putting aside everything just for them.  I knew then that no matter what happened with my job, if I didn’t try and have Damien in my life, I knew I would regret it for the rest of my life.  If it didn’t work out, then at least I had the experience of being with him.  This is what I imagined it would be; what I thought I had with the fiancé but was so wrong about that man.  And now this is scaring me.  I have never felt like this with anyone before so throwing caution to the wind, I’m deciding to pursue whatever this is with Damien.  If his Father and the Board find out about it, I could lose all credibility and possibly my job over him.  Yes, Damien was worth it.  I could always go back home and take that college teaching job.
I still wanted to think some things over and couldn’t help but be a bit quiet over dinner.  As I saw Damien looking at me, I reached my hand under the table and squeezed his thigh.  I nodded my head slightly at him and then started to enjoy my dinner.  Stealing a look back at him, I saw him wink at me as a slight smile lifted the corner of his lips.  Feeling a weight being lifted off my shoulders, I was able to join the conversation with the girls and made plans to go shopping with them on Saturday with lunch right afterwards.  It was nice to have new friends as well as have a potential boyfriend. 
Once I decided to give us a chance, dinner took on a relaxed atmosphere for me.  Joining in the lively conversation, I loved how the girls were outspoken and quite funny.  It seemed like the six of us were friends for years.  I was almost sorry for our evening to end.
Damien took care of the tab as Steve and Tom finished their after dinner drinks.  Theresa told the guys we would wait outside for DT and get some fresh air. 
“So it look like things are better with the both of you?”
“I’m going to give it a chance.  I don’t have anything to lose but my job and the rest of the heart,” I said with a smile on my face.
“No one will find out Selina.  We won’t say anything, either will Steve or Tom.  Just take things one day at a time with it and enjoy him.  I guess Damien has started his groveling bit.”
“Oh yeah, putting it on thick.”
“Good, he knows he has to earn it.”
“Just like the movie Jerry McGuire when she said “he had me at hello.” Well Damien had me when he said he didn’t have any regrets at what he did as it brought me to him.”
“Good boy,” said Denise.
As the door opened with the three guys walking out, DT just pulled up the limo.  He just has impeccable timing as he jumped out of the car and opened the door for us.
“Your chariot waits.”
“You are so charming DT,” laughed Theresa.
“Hey are you flirting with our girls DT?” scolded Damien.
“Yes Boss.  I kept them company for you and the others.”
“Let’s get everyone home then, shall we?” 
I didn’t know what would happen as we got to my complex.  My heart was racing a bit with the anxiety starting to build.  As Tom, Steve and their wives were dropped off, I wished them a good night and I told them I was looking forward to our Saturday shopping spree.
Damien told DT to head to my complex next as he closed the glass divider to give us privacy. 
“Nothing is going to happen Selina.  As much as I want to experience what I know will be incredible with you, we have a big day tomorrow and you will be with the diving team.  I will be on the boat monitoring everything from there.” Looking at me with those intense blue eyes, he slowly lowered his face to mine. “And besides, I want to take my time with you and get back in your good graces.” Licking my bottom lip from a mixture of nervousness and uncertainty, he reached out to touch it. 
“Don’t do that Selina.  Let me.”
Holding my arms over my head, he captured my lips with his.  I couldn’t move with his body pressing up to mine as he devoured my lips under his.  With the feelings he was stirring deep inside me, I had to clench my legs together to keep from losing total control.  Biting my bottom lip, he moved his tongue deep inside my mouth, teasing me and controlling me at the same time. I couldn’t move my hands as I was held in place by Damien as his other hand took the liberty of exploring my body.  He was pure dominance, not only in the boardroom but now with me.  I was lost in the sensations he was creating.  So much for making him earn it.  I felt his hand on my inner thigh as he moved it higher until he felt the silk of my panties.
“God you are so wet already.” Reaching around, he cupped my bare cheek as I like to wear thongs.  I could feel the evidence of his desire for me pressed up against my thigh.  “You are so beautiful Selina.”  Damien slowly lowered his hand from under my dress as well as slowly released my arms from over my head.
“This is not the time or the place for this.  Tomorrow night, I’ll make you dinner at my place.  There are some things I want to discuss with you for business too.  Bring a bathing suit.”  He gave me one of his sexy smiles as the limo slowed to a stop.  Giving me a sweet kiss, he opened the door and helped me out of the car. 
“See you at the rig tomorrow. Sweet dreams Princess.”

Chapter 22  Damien

As much as I wanted to have Selina in my bed with me tonight, I wanted to give her breathing room from the last few days.  There will be plenty of time to make her want me.  We did have a big day ahead of us tomorrow.  Parts of me were anxious about her diving with the team tomorrow.  She was a scientist with an analytical mind.  I’m sure she approaches relationships the same way. Coupled with a killer body and a beautiful face, she was a little less dangerous than TNT, well to me anyway.  Watching her walk away from me into her complex, I waited until she was with security before I told DT to head on over to my place.  I knew I wouldn’t get much sleep tonight thinking of her under me while I possessed her body and soul.  Of course it would be amazing but I will do the right thing for her. Make myself earn her trust; that’s the only way this will all work. 
I was home before I knew it and took out my phone. Pulling up Selina’s number, I sent her a quick text.

Selina, thank you for a lovely evening.  I enjoyed myself and hope you did too.  See you tomorrow.  D

Not expecting a text back from her, I received one.

Damien, I did too. Thank you.  See you tomorrow.  S

Smiling at the text, I knew I was on my way to being forgiven.  Now time to take a cold shower.
Chapter 23: The Dive: Damien
“Good morning Mr. Stone,” said Dave Michaelson, head of the diving team.  “We are excited to have Dr. Harrison with the team this morning.  I’m sure she will shed some light on the problems at hand.”
“Dave, please make sure she is ok down there.  I want the whole team safe, ok?”
“Sure thing Mr. Stone.  Her diving credentials are all up to speed; she has done more dives than some on my crew.  I’ll be watching everyone and we’ll take her lead to check the bottom.  Here she comes now.”  We were all on a boat that had us right at the base of the oil rig. 
Around the corner came Selina with her wetsuit just on the bottom part of her body.  She had on a black bikini top that seemed to barely cover her breasts.  Her hair was up in a ponytail with no makeup on her face; she just took my breath away as well as caused an uncomfortable situation down below.  Jesus, this woman will be the death of me.
“Good morning Mr. Stone.  Good day for a dive.  Hi Dave, are you all set with the team?”
I couldn’t help but take in how adorably sexy Selina looked.  She almost seemed to enjoy how uncomfortable she was making me feel as well as the look on Dave’s face too as he was talking to her.  This wasn’t acceptable to me.
“Dr. Harrison, a word please.”
Selina put her paperwork down and came over to me as I went to the other side of the platform.
“Selina, are you all set for this dive? Do you need anything else from me?”  I caught her glance at my pants before her eyes met mine.
“No, not at this moment.  I’m all set and looking forward to it.”  She gave me a little smirk, clearly enjoying this moment and I could take her comments in two ways.
“We can discuss your findings over dinner tonight then.  Be careful down there.”
“I’m always careful Mr. Stone.”  Hearing her voice being called, she turned away from me and she shrugged her arms into the wetsuit and zipped it up.  She looked so sexy as the wet suit clung to all of her curves.  I watched her put on the flippers and then the tank and mask. Making sure the tank was on and the correct levels were set, down came her mask and mouthpiece.  As the team all gave each other the thumbs up sign, they disappeared over the back of the boat.  Going up to the Captain’s station, I was able to watch what was going on thru the TV monitors. They started sending back the images not only to us but also to Tom and Steve in the office.  I was able to keep an eye on Selina as the divers went deeper into the Gulf.  They had a half hour to send back all of the data so we could determine what we needed to do.  I was counting down the minutes as I would feel better knowing the dive was over and Selina was back on the boat with me.
Checking the pylons, Selina pointed out a serious crack in one that I’m guessing was caused by the shifting of the Gulf’s floor.  That can be repaired as it wasn’t a major problem right now but if that cracked more and became unstable, we would have a serious problem on our hands.   As the team dove deeper, they were taking photos of the floor where I saw Selina picking up rock samples from the bottom and putting them in a little sack attached to her waist.  Grabbing her camera, she took images of the Gulf floor, concentrating on the area that she had brought to our attention during her presentation.  I saw Dave swimming close to her, motioning to his meter that they had ten minutes to go, five of them would be to swim up to the surface.
Selina looked at her oxygen levels and pointed it out to Dave as she gestured wildly to him.  We had no idea what was going on but I was becoming a bit concerned with their sense of urgency. Then we saw it. Dave sent an image back that showed her oxygen meter; Selina only had two minutes left in her tank. I felt the air knocked out of my lungs.  This can’t be happening.  By my calculations, they had at least five minutes until they got to the boat.  With Dave grabbing her hand, he was swimming while practically carrying her.  I noticed she didn’t move her legs.  What the fuck was going on? 
“I need someone to tell me immediately what the Hell this means?  Is Selina almost out of oxygen?” 
“I’m guessing this is what is happening Mr. Stone, so Dave is swimming for them.  They should have ten minutes left in their tanks.  If she is almost out of oxygen, Dave is making her conserve what she has while doing the work for them.  They are five minutes out sir.”
Grabbing the counter, I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen. 
“Get the doctor up here with the first aid kit ready and the oxygen tank,” shouted the Captain.
“Get a 911 call out to the paramedics on land to be waiting for us,” I heard myself shout. “I want to know everything that has fucking gone wrong on this dive.”
“Mr. Stone, look at the screen.”  The Captain and I both saw Dave putting his mouth piece into Selina’s mouth for some oxygen and then switched back to him. Another one of the diving team joined their efforts, sharing their oxygen with Selina too. She seemed to be lifeless between the two divers.  My world was crashing down around me.
“Where are we time wise Captain?”
“Two minutes to go Mr. Stone.  We will be ready to pick them up.”
“She might not have two minutes Captain!”
The medic on the boat was already in position to administer first aid to Selina. All first aid equipment was ready and waiting.  A text came in from Steve.
What the fuck is happening D?