Damien shrugged. “This is a small town, Sky. The people are homey and protective of each other.”
She frowned. “Are they protecting you?”
“If they do, it’s because they choose to. I haven’t asked anyone to do anything of the sort.”
She struggled with her desire and her mental need to think the worst of him. Her gut told her he wasn’t the monster portrayed in the papers, but he was so much like Adam that it clouded her judgement when it came to Damien.
“Why did you come here and make all the changes you made?” She asked, wanting to get to know the real Damien.
“Have you ever seen a town full of charm, and then realized that behind the scenes people are miserable? That’s what happened here. I love this town. I hated that there was so much corruption. So I made it my business to help.” He waved a hand. “Nobody asked for my help, but sometimes, you just know you have to do something to stop the abuse.”
She nodded. There was nothing wrong with wanting to protect the town or the people, but why the bad rap? Why was Damien the person everyone talked about like he was evil incarnate?
A few moments later, a big guy came out with a big tray filled with drinks and food. She gasped at the mountain of ribs, pulled pork, pulled chicken, corn bread, brisket, beans and coleslaw.
“Holy crap!” she exclaimed. “Who else is eating with us?”
“Nobody,” he grinned, his sexy gaze warming her from the inside. “Bella wanted to make a good impression.”
“For you?”
He picked up a sticky rib and took a bite of food. “Does it matter? Try the food. Enjoy yourself. This town isn’t what you think it is. Give it a chance.”
“So why aren’t you married,” she asked as she filled a plate with coleslaw, cornbread and ribs. “And don’t tell me it isn’t your time.”
He pinned her with his gaze, leaving her almost shaking in her seat. The intense stare did something unbelievable to her. Desire flourished bright and hot inside her. He did that. She couldn’t figure out why, but she wanted Damien Grimes, and it was making her crazy.
“I take mating seriously. I won’t take that step until the woman meant for me is willing to be mine.” He leaned forward. “Only mine.”
Holy hotness! Did it get hotter out here? The idea of being Damien Grimes’ woman made Sky’s skin burn and her heartbeats increase in speed.
Her phone buzzed, and she glanced down to see a text message from Gerri.
I hope you take the time to enjoy yourself. Keep an open mind.
G
Open mind? What she wanted was to get Damien Grimes naked, and that was way beyond what Gerri had sent her out there to do.
“Tell me about your family,” Damien said, breaking her out of her X-rated daydream.
“I don’t really have a family. I was raised by my grandmother. My mother was a hippie type person and decided having a kid was going to be inconvenient for her lifestyle. She left me with my grandmother and never came back.”
“I’m so sorry, Sky,” he said, grabbing her hand and squeezing it on the table. For that moment, the warmth of his hand and the sincere concern in his gaze made her feel like she wasn’t alone for the first time in her life.
“It’s okay. My grand mom was awesome. She taught me everything. Always telling me to be wary of people and never let anyone play me for a fool.”
He raised his brows and continued to stare at her intently. “Any person to try and take you for a fool is an even bigger fool. I can tell you’re wary to trust.”
She smiled. “That obvious, huh?”
He chuckled. “I didn’t really give you much to work with, so I get it. But give me a chance. You’ll see it’s not all the way it’s portrayed.”
She frowned. “But why have you let it be that way? Why not ensure the truth is what’s out there so nobody gets the wrong impression of you?”
“The people who matter will get to know the real me and won’t judge me based on some stupid article in the newspapers.”
She clenched her teeth. He was baiting her, but how could she not judge him when all she read was horrible stories about him.
His words stayed with her when they were done with lunch. She had to think and couldn’t do it with his scent and intense looks making her flustered.
“I’d like to go back to my room for a while. I need to check in with Gerri.”
They walked out, and Bella kissed Damien’s cheek and frowned at Sky. She was really disliking the whole damn town.
At his car, Damien leaned around her and opened the door for her to get in. “If that’s what you really want, sure.”
With a shake of her head, she dropped into the seat and, once again, watched as he walked around to his side of the car.
“Are you sure you want to go back to the hotel. I can show you more of the town.” Damien grinned at her as he pulled his door shut and started the engine.
“No, thanks. I think I’ve seen enough of this town already. Besides it sounds like you have work to do.” Sky couldn’t stop his words from earlier from rolling through her mind. “He’d take care of the kids.” Did he mean as in pay the bills or get rid of the witnesses? He’s responsible for the last Mayor being outed, so if he came sniffing around… Damien would have to handle it. Did he kill him? Sky glanced at Damien from the corner of her eye, as he drove them to the hotel. He’s too smart. He would have hid the body and not left it for some kids to find. I have to believe that.
“Let me walk you up to your room.” Damien shut the car off, and Sky looked around to see the hotel right in front of them.
“I’m good, thanks.” She opened her car door, and Damien’s hand on her arm stopped her from exiting.
“What kind of gentleman would I be if I let you walk anywhere alone.” Damien grinned, and Sky was beginning to think it was his signature move. Disarm and charm.
Chapter Thirteen
Damien watched the play of emotions across Sky’s face, anger, lust, and finally resignation. He was walking her up and this time he was stealing a kiss from her.
Damien climbed out of the driver’s seat and walked around to grab Sky’s door. “Take my hand, Sky. It doesn’t make you any less of a woman or mean you like me any more as a man. It’s a sign of a gentleman.”
Sky reached out, and Damien tried not to pull her close to his body. The little bit of touch from their combined hands sent heat through him. His panther wanted closer to their mate, and he was not controlling it well.
Sky walked just in front of him and stared straight ahead. He bit back a chuckle, and waved to the front desk clerks.
“You know, I think you try too hard to be a gentleman, a real one wouldn’t have to call it out every time they do something a gentleman would. They just do it, not expecting anything in return.” Sky glanced over her shoulder, and the haughty look on her face had his pants getting snug. His cock stood at attention, and his panther wanted to show her so fucking bad how much a gentleman he wasn’t. He was part animal, and that would be very apparent when he got her in bed.
Damien leaned over her and pushed the button for the elevator, he heard her breath hitch in her throat, and he growled. “Maybe you don’t want a gentleman. Maybe you want me to be an animal, and maybe I can be both.”