His blue eyes searched mine.
- He lied about not knowing how to dance. - His fingers caressed my waist. - You seem to know very well what you're doing.I felt my face burn at having been discovered and looked away from him, returning to his collar. Damien laughed softly and his chest shook. - Is my appearance so astonishing, Miss Ellen? - He whispered and I felt the hairs of his stubble touch my face. His perfume was a fusion of notes unfamiliar to my sense of smell, but still undeniably overwhelming. - Or was it just impetuous nostalgia for his friends?Once again, his voice was full of smugness and irony. My tongue couldn't keep itself inside my mouth:- Do you consider irony to be a kind of charm?To my surprise, he let out another hoarse laugh. Then he pulled me closer, if that was possible. His hands made a bold path down my bare back. It sent a shiver through my entire body.- You always have an answer on the tip of your tongue, don't you? I like that. - I felt him brush his lips against my neck and I gasped. -I also like that wonderful smell of yours. - That... That's not right. - I protested, but I didn't recognize my voice.She sounded a bit groggy.- It's all right, my Darling. - Damien's lips touched my ear. - Starting with those fantastic curves of yours that are driving me insane. - The velvety tone of his voice confused all my nerve fibers, and his mouth close to my skin sent shivers down my entire body.I felt the blood rush to my face at his compliment and I didn't dare raise my face to resist the urge to turn to him. Then I tried to concentrate on the people around us.I was surprised to realize that most of them were watching us. He's the evening's honoree, Ellen, what did you expect? Calm down. But I still couldn't help the slight tremor that spread through my body. I didn't usually attract attention and I liked it that way. How could I not draw attention to myself when my back was completely bare in that dress?My hands started to freeze.- Calm down. - Damien seemed to notice my nervousness and stroked my waist in an attempt to calm me down.It didn't work.- Everyone's watching. - I stammered.- Of course they are my Darling. You're the most beautiful woman of the evening. - I felt him bring his nose close to my neck again. - The men are looking at you because they want you and the women are looking at you because they're jealous.- Jealous? - I turned to look at him.- Yes. Because they'd all like to be where you are now.I looked at him again, perplexed. He really did think he was the last Coca-Cola in the desert, but what made me angry was the fact that he was probably right.- Do you know what they say about a man's ego, Mr. Mason? Damien turned his blue eyes away from my lips and rested them on mine.- I don't know, Miss Ellen, but I can see that you're very eager to tell me. - His gaze flashed in defiance and urged me on.- An inflated ego is the worst enemy anyone can have, because it is the beginning of a man's decline.I saw him arch his left eyebrow in surprise and then smile amusedly.- I have to disagree with the lady. - Damien stroked my back again and I had to try to concentrate on his words. - I consider ego to be beneficial. We all like to be admired and it increases our self-esteem. Besides, deep down it's good to love being envied or even hated. Nobody wastes their time envying the ugly or hating the weak.It was my turn to be surprised. Damien was not only handsome, I realized that he was also intelligent and perceptive. I felt sick. It was unfair that one person had so many qualities. I couldn't help my bitterness:- That was certainly a good point, Mr. Mason. - He nodded. - But I would still suggest that you keep your ego on a leash. You never know when it might get the better of you and bite someone. Damien's eyes widened at the audacity of my words and for a second I thought he would finally finish the dance and leave me alone, but to my misfortune he started laughing and held me even tighter against him.- Am I getting the wrong impression, or am I dancing with the only woman in the room who doesn't approve of me?I suddenly felt guilty. I shouldn't even be there, let alone judging someone I barely knew. What right did I have?I stared at my feet, ashamed of my rude attitude. Damien brought his lips close to my ear once more:- You don't have to worry about that, my Darling. I'm the only one biting here and I'll only do it if you ask me to.His words and his bold tone of voice made my skin crawl. And I was irritated to realize how much I had enjoyed it. I had to put an end to that dance.- That was very bold of you! - I tried to pull away from him, but to no avail. He was stronger and held me in his arms.- My Darling, you still have no idea how cheeky I can be. - His hands went down to my hips and caressed them subtly.- Damien... - I gasped his name in a feeble attempt to protest, but the tingle his touch caused on my skin made me lose focus temporarily.- You're going against a lot of my expectations, Ellen. - He confessed as he trailed his mouth down my neck. - But I can't deny how attracted I am to all this.I felt his lips place a kiss on the curve between my shoulder and my neck and I gasped into his arms once more. He smiled against my skin and I lowered my head in shame, because it was clear that the attraction was mutual. My body responded to him before I could stop myself from doing so.Damien stopped touching my hip and held my chin. Then he lifted my face, forcing me to look at him:- I think I've found what I was looking for.His blue eyes locked on mine and he brought his mouth close to mine, brushing his lips across mine, and I almost gave in. I was burning up with all that game-playing, but I had to stay strong, they were different worlds, so no closer. Suddenly, the lights in the hall came back on and I remembered my situation. I was an imposter at his party. I didn't belong there. Damien and I didn't really suit each other. What's more, I wasn't enjoying my reactions at all, or noticing how I was losing control of the situation around him. That had never happened before, not even with Stephen.- I need to go. - I pushed him away from me and tried to leave the dance floor, but he stopped me with his fist:- I'm sorry, but I can't let you. - His voice sounded authoritative and his touch was possessive. What? What do you mean? And since when did he have any authority over me? Neither he nor any man would. I didn't want a man controlling me and telling me what to do, like that monster I once called father
- Mr. Mason, Miss. - A uniformed man greeted us and opened the car door. Damien made way for me to get in first. I nodded and slid into the other side of the car, hoping he would understand my subtle gesture, but he ignored it and sat down next to me. I felt nervous when I found myself in the car with Damien by my side. I ran my hands down my suddenly uncomfortable dress as I calculated how long it would take us to get to Ipanema. - And where does the beautiful lady live? - Damien asked me. His face was dangerously close to mine and his lips were pulled into a mischievous smile that I already recognized as his trademark. It took all my concentration to breathe: - In Ipanema. - I gave him the address. Damien finally moved away, giving me a bit of space, and relayed what I had said to the driver. Then he pressed a button and a black barrier went up in front of us, dividing the car and leaving the uniformed man out of my sight. - That's better. - He pulled me by the waist,
I was sure I had been there before. The narrow corridor with its unfinished walls, carved only in brick, was no stranger to me. I continued down it towards the dim, yellowish light that hung slightly in front of me. I stopped before reaching the door and observed what was going on inside the room, which I now recognized as a kitchen. A young woman and a man with a frowning face were at the table talking. I couldn't see the woman's face because she had her back to me, but her hunched posture and the slight trembling of her shoulders indicated that she wasn't very comfortable with the man. She seemed to be afraid of something.Suddenly the man stood up and abruptly pushed the chair over, causing it to fall to the floor with a thud:- I've had enough of your whining! I'll come in whenever I want because I'm the man of this house and I'm in charge of you. And right now I order you to shut your fucking mouth! - The man approached the woman with hatred in his eyes.- You can't keep spending
I entered through the back door of the cafeteria, trying not to attract too much attention.- You're late! - Arianna said to my back, making me jump in surprise.- What a fright, Ary! - I put my hand to my chest. - I know, I know. I missed the first bus.I passed her and walked towards the cupboard which contained some aprons and hair protection.- You're lucky Mr. Frazão is lenient with his employees. - Arianna spoke in a whisper and followed me through the kitchen. I grimaced at her words. Of course he was condescending. He was a dirty jerk who was always hitting on the girls in the cafeteria. There were many times when he gave me dirty looks and made insinuations about a relationship other than a professional one. Arianna also dealt with his harassment. We even thought about leaving our jobs, but there we had a formidable schedule and we didn't know if we'd find another job quickly. And I couldn't allow myself to be out of work for any length of time. So we decided to put up with
- You're kidding me, Shar! You have to be!I looked once again at the piece of fabric in my hand, unable to believe that I would have to wear it all night. The whole thing could only be a sick joke.- I'm sorry, Ell, but I'm not joking. The theme of the evening is The House of Bunnies and all the girls have to be in costume. It was the house owners' orders.Oh no! I wouldn't be able to work wearing just that piece of cloth over my body.- I can't work wearing that, Shar. I'll be practically naked! - Don't get carried away, Ellen. It's just a black dress with a fuzzy bottom, black stockings and bunny ears. - Sharon took her green eyes off the computer, fiddled with her blonde hair and looked at me. - And the dress isn't even that short. I chose the biggest one I could find for you. Because I know you're not here for other things.- But I'm still not going to make it. - I sighed and put the dress back in the bag with the other costume items, leaving it on her desk. - I think I'd better
The night went on getting more and more hectic. I lost count of how many drinks we made ourselves and also how many times I was made fun of by Mr. Gouveia. Luckily, Takashi was big and strong, so he showed respect and made the men give up.I let out a tired sigh as I finished another Apletinni and heard TK calling me.- Ell? - Ell? - I said as I put the strip of apple back in the cup.- I think Morgana wants to talk to you.- Morgana? - I turned to the counter. - Your drink, sir. - I placed the glass on the counter in front of the customer who was waiting for me. To my relief, the blond man thanked me and left. No harassment.She waved at you. - Tk said, making me look at him. - But now she's coming.As he closed his mouth, I turned to find Morgana leaning smilingly over the bar counter.- You're the luckiest rabbit of the night, Ellen de Souza. - Morgana smiled excitedly and took one of my hands.- I am? - I smiled at her enthusiasm.- Yes, I am. - She pulled me closer to her, makin
I seriously considered running away, but my legs were still shaking after the terrible event inside Garota Devassa and I doubted I'd make it very far. So I didn't have much choice. I got into the car and felt my body relax a little as I sank into the comfortable leather seat.Damien closed my door and took the driver's seat. Then he put the key in the ignition and the car's dashboard turned on. He pressed the button and a bluish light illuminated everything inside, making me startle at the elegance of the vehicle.Not that I'd never been in a car before. But never in one like it. I felt ecstatic and at the same time intimidated by all that opulence. The car began to glide through the streets of Rio de Janeiro and I tried to ignore the nervousness that was growing in the pit of my stomach.I glanced at Damien. He had his eyes fixed on the steering wheel and his jaw was clenched, showing that he was very angry. Eeven faced with the possibility of a rude response, I ventured to ask:- W
Damien bonus part lShe turned her back on me.I felt my hands clench into fists and my smile give way to a scowl as I saw the statuesque stranger turn and walk quickly in the opposite direction of the hall. She was clearly running away from me. Did she not know who I was? I was stunned by her not-so-subtle rejection, but as soon as the numbness passed, surprise gave way to a strong hunter's instinct. A new and primitive sensation overwhelmed me and I found myself walking in the same direction she was going as fast as she could.I felt a feminine scent enter my nostrils and delicate hands tried to grab my arm, but I didn't allow them to stop me. I untangled myself and continued walking, scanning the crowd in search of the bare-backed beauty who had dared to refuse me.I spotted her in the distance, entering the Golden Room, and did the same, but this time I was careful not to let her see me too soon. I skirted a small crowd and watched as she stopped near the band to admire the musici