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Anya’s eyelids and limbs were heavy as she lay on the soft and fluffy bed. She was sure the bedding was made of silk. It was the only explanation for the smoothness of the fabric. If it was satin, it would have been slippery to sleep on. The bed also belonged to Damian Desmond and there was no way he would have cheap satin sheets. In any case, Anya had never slept in a more comfortable bed. Last night had been both weird and magical. Anya didn’t want to open her eyes; afraid it would shatter the spell she was trying hard to keep alive. She could tell it was already morning by the light in the room. No one had attempted to wake her up yet. Reaching around the room with her Esper powers, she found no presence. That meant only one thing; Damian had left the room. She’d have to ask him if he minded her checking for his whereabouts or did the no powers without permission ban apply to that as well.
Reluctantly Anya decided it was time to get up and face the storm. She assumed it would be hard to escape the house – erm mansion – without being noticed. The staff should be everywhere by now. The worst would be to run into Damian’s family in yesterday’s clothes and bed hair. Walk of shame. Classy, Anya.
Just as she had sat up on the bed and was scanning the room for her clothes, someone knocked on the door. Startled, she ran behind the folding screen near the gigantic golden mirror. Peeking through the little gap between wood and fabric, she watched the door handle move and to her relief it was only Damian.
''Forger?'' he asked politely as confusion set on his handsome features. He’d clearly had a shower and changed his clothes because his hair was perfectly combed and his suit impeccable. Nervous about looking like trash, Anya said from behind the screen, ''Here. I’m looking for my clothes. Umm – any idea?''
''I gave them to the staff for dry cleaning. I have a set of clothes here if you’d like to get dressed. But I would suggest having a shower first. I do have a bathrobe you can use,'' Damian answered and dropped a few shopping bags with designer logos behind the screen without glancing behind it, ever the gentleman. ''I hope they are suitable.''
A little bit of panic set in Anya’s mind. She had never in her wildest dreams thought he would have her clothes cleaned. Or buy her new clothes. It wasn’t like she had many options now. After all, she couldn’t exactly waltz home naked. Briefly imagining Papa’s horrified face if she came home in such a state made her freeze. After muttering a short thank you, Anya found a soft white bathrobe in one of the bags and decided to wear it until she had showered. She peeked around the corner and found Damian sitting on the bed, his face turned away to give her privacy. Somehow it made her laugh a little after everything he had seen last night. Smirking slightly, she announced she was taking a shower before disappearing in the room’s private bathroom.
Damian had also bought her basic hygiene supplies which made her incredibly happy, especially the bright pink toothbrush. Shower had so many features, everything from bubble machine to massage streams, but Anya decided to play it safe and chose a normal shower. While she was in there, letting the warm water wash away all her problems, she thought about it all. To her annoyance and delight, her head was mainly filled of various images from last night. Any coherent and logical thinking seemed to escape her today. It was as if she was living it all over again.
***
They hadn’t been there for the Desmonds. Damian’s father had died years ago, and the oldest son of the family had turned their family around, helping them become an honest and pacifist family. Papa’s new mission was an old friend of Donovan Desmond, one of his supporters during his political career. There had been rumours about him selling information to the neighbouring country which tried to take advantage of the newly found and easily disturbed peace in the area. Papa was supposed to approach the man in question, Arthur Kinley, and befriend him and his family in order to find out where he exchanges his information. Getting an invite to the party at the mansion had been easy with the connections Papa had gotten through Anya. Thankfully he had been able to maintain his cover after Operation Strix.
There was a second layer to the mission. The new WISE was convinced Kinley’s son, Arthur Junior, was involved in his father’s operations. And as he was the same age as Anya, Papa had decided to involve his daughter. Anya had been ecstatic over getting to be a part of an operation. Ever since Operation Strix had ended and her family had revealed their true identities to each other, she had begged Papa to let her in. Mission was to charm Arthur Junior and then either read his mind or get him to tell her about his involvement. It all sounded simple enough on paper.
First problem had arisen when Junior had refused to meet her. He was incredibly snobby, even worse than Damian Desmond from Anya’s school and wouldn’t talk to 'peasants'. This had changed when he had seen her. The pang of lust in her target’s mind as he had openly stared at her chest made Anya uncomfortable. Thankfully she had always been a good liar, growing up in a fake family full of lies does that to a person. When Junior leaned forward and made a crude comment about her body, Anya managed to smile sweetly and flirt with her eyes from under her fluttery lashes. Pleased with himself, Arthur Junior had relaxed and brought them both a drink. He was quite the blabbermouth and Anya could see why his father rarely brought him to any social functions. She had hardly needed to use her powers at all.
Second problem appeared when Anya spotted a familiar face in the mass of people. Damian Desmond had the same aura about him as before, just like in school. Arthur Junior held her waist possessively and Anya watched Damian’s face change from surprised to happy to annoyed as his gaze slid down from Anya’s eyes to see Junior’s hand rest on her hip in a relaxed manner. She turned her head quickly and tried to drown the escalating panic. She was on a mission. This was no time to get flustered over old classmates. Even if said classmate had grown into the most handsome man she had ever seen. Thankfully Arthur Junior was as intelligent as he was quiet, meaning he didn’t notice anything different with Anya.
It couldn’t have been her. Damian was sure he had been seeing things. He hadn’t seen the Forger girl since their graduation at age 19. It had been six years already. His father had died three months before Eden graduation, just as Damian had planned on confessing his feelings to Anya. She had held him after his father’s funeral when he had been sobbing on a park bench. Afterwards he had been so flustered over everything, he had pushed her away. Resulting years of not speaking to one another had been entirely his own fault. But now he could have sworn he’d seen her pink hair and emerald eyes in the crowds. Perhaps he had enjoyed one too many glasses of champagne. To his surprise, he soon saw the familiar shade of pink again, right at the edge of the dance floor. Damian knew who the man with her was. He had played with the Kinley boy as a child, mostly out of obligation because their fathers had been business associates. Truthfully Damian couldn’t understand what Anya saw in Artie.
Third and last problem for Anya’s mission was that Damian very clearly wanted to speak to her. Anya did everything she could to avoid him. When she saw him approach her and Junior near the dance floor, she pulled her target to a waltz. Near the drinks table, she escaped to the bathroom. Outside on the balcony she pretended to feel dizzy and went back inside. Damian was getting frustrated. There was only one explanation to why she was avoiding him like that; she hated his guts. It was no wonder after the last time he had seen her. Memories of yelling how he never wanted to see her stupid commoner face again right after graduation ceremony sprang to mind.
***
After an exhausting evening of playing arm candy to idiotic and snobby Arthur Junior, trying to get intel, socialising with guests to enforce her connections and avoiding Damian Anya was beat. She leaned on the railing of the balcony, relieved that the Kinleys had finally left, and noticed Damian down in the garden. Perhaps exchanging greetings and explaining her behaviour to him wouldn’t be the worst idea. Keeping good relationships with Desmond sons might prove beneficial in future missions. At least that’s what Anya told herself when she skipped down the stairs and made her way to the garden.
''Sy-on boy. Fancy seeing you here,'' cute and melodic voice of Anya chirped behind him. The familiar nickname brought back the memories and it felt like a rush of adrenalin. Damian turned around, just in time to see Anya step towards her as she held her dress. She seemed more mature than six years ago. Looks hadn’t changed much aside from the fact she was now wearing a deep royal blue dress which draped around her figure in a flattering way. He’d never seen her wear things like that in school. Pink hair was in a complicated updo and decorated with a rose gold hairpin. She wore a bit more make up nowadays too, but not so much it would look cheap.
She is as exquisite as the last time I saw her. God, I’ve missed her.
Anya read Damian’s mind and watched his face blush like it had in school. Years had done Damian a favour. He seemed elegant and had grown even taller than he had been six years ago. Anya hardly reached his shoulders, which were broader now. His jawline was sharper, more chiselled. Damian had always been handsome, but he had taken it to another level as an adult. She smirked a little after noticing how flustered her old school friend still got around her.
''Forger,'' he said politely and feigned indifference. ''I might have assumed you were avoiding me. It’d be good manners to greet people you know.''
Anya giggled a little and Damian noticed his heart skip a beat. He had decided on acting mature and stand offish. As much as he wanted to speak to her, he was sure nothing good could possibly come out of it.
She lifted her finger up and shook it while tutting a little, ''You’re acting awfully mature for someone who used to mock me at school everyday and get into childish fights.''
''I’m older now. I can’t afford to be acting like a schoolkid,'' he answered, looking at her with a familiar overly confident smirk. Anya’s face fell into her old condescending look, a little Heh escaping her lips. Damian could act as fancy and adult as he wanted. Anya was sure the easily flustered, rude, protective and smart person she’d gotten to know during her school years would be under that façade. He’d been exactly like that in first grade, pretending to be more serious than he really was. Anya knew some, or most of that had stemmed from wanting to impress his father by acting elegantly. It had made her sad all those years ago.
''Oh, really? Heh,'' Anya answered and watched the corners of Damian’s mouth twitch.
He corrected the collar of his shirt, already impeccable as always, and changed the subject, ''Mr. Kinley’s son, huh? What’s stubby legs commoner like you doing with a socialite like him?''
Anya felt a genuine smile on her face when she heard him mock her like it was still old times. She went with the excuse Papa had given her, ''Papa has some business with his father. They asked me to keep him company.''
Damian noticed he could breathe a little better after her response. He didn’t want to think about its implications, but he supposed he had felt some jealousy over her. But if it had been just about keeping Artie company, there wasn’t likely going to be anything more between Anya and Artie. Damian wasn’t stupid but he did have a bad habit of suffocating his feelings. All those years trying to impress his father had left very little room for emotional growth. Even as an adult he noticed others were leaps and bounds ahead of him in these matters. It had taken him a ridiculously long time to accept he had feelings for Anya and even longer to decide to do something about those feelings. But as life often turned out for him, that’s when Damian had screwed it all up. To this day and age, he had no idea what Anya had thought of him in school.
''I know him from my childhood. Our fathers – well, we used to play together as kids. Is he still stupid?'' Damian asked with a smile on his face. Anya had started walking or more like skipping ahead. It seemed she was still as childish and bouncy as before. Catching up to her, he peeked at her face from her side. It was hard for him to admit but the pull was still there. The magnetism which now seemed stronger than ever ached inside him. There was so much he wanted to talk about; his father, her parents and Anya’s feelings came to mind. But he didn’t know how to express himself or how to ask for it. Despite being a Desmond and mostly getting whatever he wanted, Anya was a puzzle to him. He knew what he wanted. It was a different matter whether he had what it took to get it.
''You could say that! Although he was as snobby as you, Sy-on boy,'' Anya giggled. Her intense gaze made Damian’s face flare in all shades of red again. He briefly wondered if he would ever stop blushing around her. Anya was like a sun. She had been like that in school too. It was impossible to not be warmed by her rays. Even in his darkest corners, she found him and always managed to illuminate his world. He watched her eyelashes flutter and the glowing skin of her neck and shoulders when she laughed. Damian knew he’d never get over her. It had been foolish to think so when he had been 16 and it was foolish now. He was hopelessly, permanently and painfully in love with her and had been since their childhood.
So, his features were stoic when he said, ''Well, Miss Forger. Does it mean you won’t see him again?''
''Well, Mr. Desmond! I think you’re being awfully presumptuous!'' Anya laughed, mocking the upper-class way of talking. Damian smiled as he watched Anya shake off her heels and spin on the grass like a pre-schooler. He followed her, because what else do you do when your planet orbits around someone else and crouched down to pick up her shimmery shoes. Giggling at his timid and proper demeanour, Anya stopped, and the few loose hair strands spun around, landing on her shoulder. Her eyes were mysterious, sparkling with the hues of new evergreens. He would have described them as sweet as green little clovers, but they were more like emeralds. And they were holding infinite power over his soul. There was a possibility he should have been alarmed by the realisation, but instead the green depths only reflected his calmest self. And within that deep forest were specks of gold, making her gaze all the more precious.
I don’t think I’ve ever wanted to get lost in any forest until now. But in your eyes, there are the forest and the sun beams, all in a glorious mix worth the wait.
Anya listened to his thoughts quietly. She had never heard a voice like that, hushed and yearning and still speaking so beautifully. Her smile faltered and they gazed into each other’s eyes in silence. If she were to give into this, she’d have to be absolutely sure of it. The way Damian viewed her in his mind, as if she was the most precious piece of art he had ever seen, was not something Anya could take lightly. It also worried her. Rose tinted glasses could prove to be an issue later.
''Sy-on boy,'' she said with a dry mouth. Damian had stepped closer, tentatively at first but with confidence rising on each step. She could see what he wanted, he thought about it so intensely it felt like he was screaming at her. She hadn’t even tried to read his mind, but his presence was dominating to such a tremendous degree it left Anya no room to think.
She tried saying his name one more time, but the words were lost when Damian leaned in and kissed her. The magnetism between them held her in place and she gasped loudly, grasping his hair in an attempt to bring him even closer. She’d kissed other men before and it had been pleasant, some kisses even delightful. But this was something else. There was a pent-up desire in her that had built up during all those years when Damian Desmond had been an annoying boy in class who wouldn’t stop staring at her. The longing stolen glances and gentle quick touches here and there, under the pretence of something innocent like passing a schoolbook, had burned them both briefly. But now they were on fire. Anya hung onto his secure shoulders like she was drowning, and he was the only thing that could save her. Maybe she was drowning. It certainly felt like it and she had the sudden urge to cry and laugh at the same time. It was liberating. After all the dancing around each other and two decades of pining, they had finally ended up here in each other’s arms. If Anya had believed in such things, she would have thought it was meant to be.
Damian’s thoughts were all muddied and hazy, mixing with each other. It had taken him too long to admit this was what he had wanted. And now it was here, he was nervous and slightly shy. Anya’s lips were a little dry from staying outside too long. He found he didn’t mind. He’d had his fair share of lovers, mainly dolled up girls who were mostly interested in his money or status. There had been no love involved though, at least not from his side. Anya was so soft and small in his arms and it was still a wonder to him how petite she really was. Despite her slender frame, she was still the most beautiful woman he had ever met.
When she tugged his hair passionately, he let it all out in his mind. He loved her. For as long as he would live and perhaps even longer, he would be faithful to her. He’d protect her and give her everything she wanted. There was nothing in this world he wouldn’t be willing to place in her hands. For all he cared, she could have his soul. Commitment didn’t scare him. Damian had always been a serious man when it came to his intentions. If he decided something was worth it, he would commit until the end. Her soft small hands, now exploring the back of his neck, were the best medication for his damaged heart he’d gotten his hands on. It had been a slow ride to this point. Love had come to him quickly but quietly, the existence of this woman slowly becoming the centre of his universe. He needed it to breathe. Anytime he had thought he’d gotten over it, it had reminded him about itself. Every night he had dreamed of meeting her again as if God himself wanted him to remember her. He assumed it was because she kept him human.
Tears had fallen on Damian’s cheeks without him noticing. Anya first saw them when she pulled away a little to see his reaction. Smiling softly, she wiped them away with the backs of her hands. Swallowing hard and out of breath from the passionate kiss, Damian muttered, ''I don’t suppose – if you’re comfortable, that is – we could go to my place?''
Clearly nervous for her answer, Damian looked at the nearby trees with feigned fascination. Anya didn’t have to consider his offer very long. It was scandalous, running away right after mission to a house of a man who wasn’t her husband. But Anya had never been interested in societal rules. Right now she wanted to spend more time with Sy-on boy, reluctant to let this newly found connection with him go.
***
The hallways of the mansion were quiet and dark. It was surprisingly cold inside. Damian pulled Anya behind him, occasionally stopping to press a feverish kiss on her rosy lips. She watched him hesitate in front of his bedroom door as if once he opened it there would be no going back. Perhaps there wasn’t. She didn’t say anything, instead opting for placing her delicate hand on his back. Supporting him and pulling emotions out of him he didn’t even know existed, he let out a shaky breath and opened the door. He held the door open for her, like a true gentleman, and watched with dreamy eyes when she stepped inside.
The door made a small clacking noise as it shut behind them. Anya stood in the middle of the massive bedroom, fiddling with her dress as if she was nervous. Moonlight made her shimmer and Damian thought it was foolish of her to think she’d have to be nervous. It was him who was a nervous wreck. Like Anya had sensed his bouncing thoughts, she locked their eyes and reached for him, just a little. He was drawn to her like a moth to a flame. There was no way he would say no, not when she looked at him like she wanted him. Not used to feeling loved or wanted, Damian brushed the knuckles of his right hand against her bare shoulder. She shuddered but didn’t tell him to stop. It was a miracle to him, being here with her.
Anya watched his furiously blushing face and dark eyes. He moved so unsurely like he was afraid she would disappear into thin air if he made one wrong move. Knowing Damian would never take it further than this on his own, Anya decided to give him a nudge. Reaching for his hands and placing them on her waist, she whispered, ''Take off my dress, Damian.''
His eyes were impossibly wide, and he could feel his heart beat out of his chest. Anya spun around slowly, his hands spinning with her waist, so he could pull down the zipper in the back. To his horror he realised his hands were shaking as he pulled it down. The sight of Anya making a little wiggle with her hips and the dress falling down, bunching around her ankles burned in his mind. He felt the need to look away, because there wasn’t a doubt in his mind about how he definitely didn’t deserve this. But he was unable to do that, instead staring at her almost bare back. Anya only had her lingerie on, light blue lacy bra and panties. He was so red he could feel his face emitting heat.
Anya had heard his breathing change, after the dress had fallen. Damian hadn’t touched her yet, but she could feel his eyes scanning her from behind her. Deciding once again to help him out she slowly turned to face him. Never in her life had anyone looked at her like he did. Eyes dark, flustered and so lusty they were pained, he watched her every move carefully. Anya pressed her hand on his cheek, feeling the warmth of the skin and said, ''Help me step out of this dress.''
It served as a shock for Damian who jumped a little before pulling her to his chest from her extended arms. A little smile was on Anya’s face when she decided Damian had way too many clothes on. She pulled his face down to a slow kiss, rising to tip toes herself. Damian’s suit jacket was quickly discarded to the floor to join Anya’s dress. His waistcoat was next to go. With her peeling him out of his clothes, Damian felt a different type of urgency rise within him. He grasped her hard when she found the buttons of his pure white shirt. His other hand in her hair, he tugged on it hard, causing the complicated updo to unravel. Rose gold pin made a metallic clink noise as it fell on the ground. Anya’s small moan as he moved to kiss her neck was a heavenly sound to him. He desperately wanted her to make more sounds like that and only for him. Preferably for the rest of their lives.
Finally managing to pull Damian’s shirt down his shoulders and toss it on the floor, Anya pulled back slightly to take a look at him. He had physique of an athlete. Firm muscles and toned body but not bulky in the slightest. Anya could have guessed he would look like that but was still taken aback by how beautiful he really was. She had thought about him a lot over the years. In school she had largely been consumed by the mission but once it had ended, she had been forced to figure out which parts were about the mission and which parts of her feelings were genuine. Anya had been seriously upset over Damian’s father’s death. She remembered finding him on that park bench. Hardly an adult, he had tried to show a brave and unaffected face. But his hurt had been of such magnitude it had consumed Anya’s mind when she had sat down.
Damian had said very little at first but her soft touch on his shoulder had been enough to break the dam. She didn’t know how long he had sobbed against her chest, mind in agony. Anya had cried too. Cried because she was unable to help him, unable to take the pain away. She would have gone back to the scientists who experimented on her if it had meant she could have stopped him from hurting. Sadly, the hard days hadn’t been over for Damian. News were soon full of stories about his father, mostly extremely horrible ones. He’d stopped talking to her in school and withdrawn from everyone. Last time they had seen each other had been the graduation day. Anya had tried to ask him how he was doing, and Damian had yelled at her face, saying he hated her and didn’t want to see her anymore. The strength of his emotions in his mind had been enough to give Anya a nosebleed.
In the following years, she’d watched Demetrius Desmond turn the fate of the family around. Occasionally she’d seen glimpses of Damian in the news, a speech there and a girl in his arms there. She’d tried to move on, honestly. But it had been difficult, especially because she hadn’t been entirely sure why she still thought about him in the first place. She had put most of it down to feeling guilty about her family’s involvement in exposing Damian’s father. The assassination of Donovan Desmond had been carried out by a rival of his but the aftermath of his death with all the press reveals had been all WISE.
Now looking at him, it all became painfully obvious. How she had managed to be so dense was beyond her. Becky had been right about it all for the last two decades. The answer to her questions, haunting her in her dreams, had always been in front of her. Damian watched her eyes curiously, seeing the emotions behind them swirl. All these built up emotions were too much for Anya and she pulled him closer by his hair. His hands moved to open the hooks of her bra. It slid to the expensive wooden floors, on the pile of their forgotten clothing. Damian was kissing her again. She thought if he could read her mind, he would see fireworks and bubbles mixed up in hazy daydream of passion.
She couldn’t concentrate on anything except his hands roaming her body, his thumbs flicking over her nipples and fingers tracing the line of her panties. It was overwhelming. She didn’t read his mind but could sense the desperation and need in his mind. His skin was soft, and the muscles underneath were firm. Her body and mind were both wrapped by his presence. Moaning into his mouth, she felt him pick her up and carry her towards the bed. Anya wrapped her legs around him, earning a needy gasp from his lips when she pressed against his hard on. It was the most sensual feeling she’d ever had. Body on fire, needing more and more of him, she knew if she was going to tell him the truth about it all it was now or never. Damian deserved to know; she’d used him enough.
Anya’s back hit the soft cloudlike pillows of his bed as he placed her on the soft bedding. Damian was quick to climb on top of her, eyes glazed over from desire. She was an incredible sight in her small light blue lacy panties. The creamy texture of her skin was how Damian imagined heaven felt like. She watched him tug at the panties, taking his time gliding his fingers on the waistband. Suddenly needing to tell him something, Anya pressed her hand on top of his and stopped him from moving. Damian had a worried look when he glanced at her face.
''Sy-on – Damian – I need to tell you something before we continue,'' she started in a breathy voice, eyes glistening with diamond like tears. After a short pause, he climbed off and helped Anya sit down at the edge of the bed. Sitting next to her in just his trousers, he gestured for her to continue. She glanced at him quickly before grasping his shoulders. She could sense the confusion seeping in his thoughts.
''I want you,'' Anya breathed out desperately. It didn’t help to alleviate Damian’s confusion.
''I know. I want you too,'' he answered with a frown on his face. The tears slipped out, smudging Anya’s mascara and making it run down her cheeks.
''No, you don’t understand. I want all of you. Everything. I want your body, your thoughts, your soul. All of it. I want it all to myself. And I don’t want to give it up,'' Anya sobbed, worried over the outcome of what she was about to tell him. ''But first I have to tell you something about me, about my family.''
''If it’s the fact that your parents are a spy and an assassin, then I already know. My big brother got involved with new WISE after he got elected. He told me about it years ago. And I know Pops told you to get close to me for the mission. Don’t’ get me wrong, I was angry at first. Angry about WISE and about you only talking to me because of Pops’ mission. Sometimes I wanted to find you just so I could scream at your face. But I never told a soul. I think I knew deep down you really cared about me, mission or not. I’ve had years to come to terms with it. Now it doesn’t matter to me anymore. I still want this,'' Damian shocked Anya with this revelation. How he had managed to keep it out from his thoughts all evening was impressive. Shock had helped Anya to stop crying.
''There’s more,'' she admitted after a short pause and caused Damian to raise his eyebrow. ''I’ll tell you all about it if you want but I’m an Esper. I can read minds.''
The furious blush that spread over Damian’s shocked features rivalled all previous blushes he’d had before in his life. He thought the fact her parents had unusual jobs was already baffling enough. Mortified, he realised that this was how Anya had always seemed to be ahead of everyone from playing dodgeball to knowing exactly what he was thinking.
''You – so you knew when we were in class and I – I thought about umm,'' Damian stuttered, having never been as embarrassed as now.
''Oh, like the time when you were imagining making out with me on the soccer field during that really boring chemistry class? HEH, '' Anya couldn’t resist teasing him. ''Well to be honest, I learned how to control it when I was ten. And after that I only used my powers occasionally. So, I missed most of your thoughts during teenage years.''
Damian rested his head in his hands. It was all too much for him right now.
''Are you doing it now? Or have you done it today?'' Damian said, voice cracking from nerves and hurt. It was one thing to know she had found out about his stupid crush on her the minute he had realised it himself but completely another thing if she had heard his thoughts today.
''I’m not doing it now. But I did earlier when we were in the garden. Only for two small moments though. I heard that you missed me and that you think my eyes are beautiful.'' Anya admitted, not wanting to lie to Damian anymore. ''I try not to do it except for during missions. But sometimes people have such strong emotions they slip through my barriers. And sometimes I do it on purpose. I can promise not to do it with you on purpose without your permission if you want. But I couldn’t do this, take this step with you, without telling the truth.''
The silence was long and deafening. Neither of them moved much while Damian tried to process all that information. Anya watched his dark locks and broad shoulders and hoped for the best, knowing full well it might be too much. She wouldn’t blame him if it was.
''I can leave,'' she whispered when the silence stretched, and Damian seemed too shocked to voice his thoughts. Slipping her feet to the floor, Anya reached to grab her clothes. There was a faint shuffling noise and Damian grabbed her wrist.
''Just – come here – please,'' Damian whispered hardly audibly and pulled her to straddle his hips on his lap. He held her face in his hands, his own face still pink from embarrassment, and pressed their foreheads together. The touch was so delicate and loving it made both of them want to cry. The way his heartbeat picked up the speed from such an innocent touch told Damian Anya would definitely end up being the death of him.
''It’s not fine and we’ll have to work through it, but I’ve not changed my mind. Could you promise not to read my mind without permission? And for balancing it out since you apparently already know how I feel – please – tell me how you feel about me,'' he murmured, hovering near Anya’s lips. Eyes dark and waiting, he slid his hands to her hair and admired he softness of the locks, long since unravelled from her fancy updo.
Anya considered the offer. It was a fair one and he deserved it. But revealing her heart was hard. Soon she realised she had already made her decision when she’d held him in the park after his father’s funeral all those years ago. She needed Damian more than she needed her defences, her barriers. She had been ready to give up her life for him if needed. With that thought etched in her mind, she said in the softest of voices, ''I promise. And as for how I feel – I love you, Damian Desmond. I have loved you for as long as I can remember.''
Single tear rolled down Damian’s cheek and she watched him close his eyes as he let out a shaky breath. Voice cracked and his tone bursting with emotions he asked, ''Can you read my mind now, please?''
Anya smiled a little and after a soft Yes she reached out to feel his thoughts after closing her eyes too.
I love you too, Anya Forger.
His gaze was half lidded when Anya opened her eyes, now sparkling and filled with happiness. She reached to him for a tight hug, wrapping her arms around his neck excitedly. He held onto her and pressed a row of feverish kisses along her shoulder and up her neck. Anya sighed when his hand grabbed her hair and pulled, allowing better access to her neck. With a sudden move, Damian pushed Anya back to her back. Kissing and teasing, he made his way all the way down to the waistband of her panties. Agonizingly slowly he traced that line with a soft brush of his fingers. Looking up at Anya’s needy gaze he hooked his fingers on the sides of the panties and wiggled them down. Now completely naked, Anya suddenly felt self-conscious. The red which usually appeared on Damian’s face, spread all over her face and chest. She covered her face with her arms in a childish manner out of pure embarrassment. Worried over Damian not finding her sexy enough, her mind brought up images of the gorgeous models he was seen with. She had no curves and was awkward. There was no way for her to compete against some of the most beautiful women in the world.
Damian seemed to sense her anxiousness because his low voice suddenly said, ''Anya. Look at me.''
Mortified over having to see his face, it took all her willpower to move her hands and look at him. Damian smiled gently and slid his hand down to her ankle as Anya gasped. He bent her knee and planted a few kisses from the top of her foot to her knee. The sensation sent jolts of electricity through Anya and she couldn’t help but whimper from the arousal.
''You. Are. Exquisite,'' Damian said, pressing a kiss after kiss on her inner thigh between each word. ''You’re beautiful. And for once it isn’t me who looks like a tomato so let me have this moment.''
Anya let out a small giggle, his joke easing her nerves. She felt Damian smile against her thigh before he brushed his fingers across her opening. Sharp moan escaped her, and she couldn’t help but shiver. Damian was almost smug when he said, ''So stop thinking and let me touch you.''
Anya nodded and closed her eyes when she felt Damian brush against her again. He surprised her soon by hooking both her legs above his shoulders and pulling her closer to his face. The first flick of tongue was already pure bliss. She couldn’t remember a time when she would have been more aroused. Her hands found his dark curls when his tongue circled, pressed and flicked her most sensitive spot. It was an incredible rush and all she could feel was Damian. He knew it was coming soon when Anya’s legs cramped and her back arched. Anya was a moaning mess, pulling his hair like it was anchoring her. She could feel something in her building, taking her higher and higher.
Damian added a finger in the mix, pushing just one of them inside her and hooking it. That was enough for Anya. Watching the woman he loved with fascination, Damian took it all in when she cried out his name, finally opening her eyes so he could see the pure ecstatic bliss in them. It was hands down the most erotic sight Damian had ever seen in his life. He watched her come down, moving his finger inside her in slow motions and enjoying the feeling of her fading orgasm around it.
Anya didn’t stay still for long. She pushed him to stand and sat up herself, beginning to undo his belt in hurry. Damian watched her small hands work on the buckle and then the button of his trousers. It still felt like a dream. He had imagined Anya like this more often than he was willing to admit. He hadn’t thought it would ever be possible find a woman taking off his trousers this hot. He whined a little when his trousers dropped to his ankles and Anya’s fingers softly brushed his bulge. Kicking his socks away with the trousers, he stood there in his underwear and studied Anya’s face as she slid her gaze up all the way to his eyes. Looking at him straight in the eyes like she had no shame whatsoever, he watched how she hooked her fingers on his waistband and pulled the underwear down as well. The mere sight of Anya gliding her hand down his stomach just to stop near his hard on almost made him finish. It was like he was a teenager again, getting flustered and horny over the smallest of suggestive moves. Her eyes were round and big as she curiously brushed against his length. Damian gasped her name loudly, well aware of how he had never been this excited.
Moving to give him a few experimental pumps, Damian felt his knees go weak. Seeing himself in her hands was too much and he had to turn his gaze to the painting next to his bed. Anya thought it was fascinating to watch his face look almost as if he was in pain. After a while she decided to take it up a notch and rolled her tongue around the tip, earning a needy Fuck from Damian’s lips. He had never sworn like that in front of her, that would have been ungentlemanly. Soon she took him in her mouth and Damian tugged her hair, completely riding the high clouds she had taken him to.
He knew he wouldn’t last long if she were to continue like that. With a soft mewl, he stopped her head moving by grasping her head and pulling out. Anya watched him with doe eyes when he sat on the bed, already feeling like his legs were made of jelly. He pulled her to straddle him again, both of them gasping as he rubbed against her. Damian wanted to ask if she was fine, if she wanted to continue. As per usual, Anya beat him to it.
''Are you okay? Do you want to continue?'' she said, eyebrows furrowing a little but eyes still sparkling. A hoarse and needy Yes was the only thing Damian managed. He let his fingers comb through her hair lovingly before they settled on her waist. Anya surprised him once more with her braveness as she lifted her hips up before letting him sink into her. Gasping at how good she felt around him, Damian buried his face into the crook of her neck. Letting her adjust, he rocked his hips in small movements to make her more comfortable. Anya’s face and chest were flushed, but it didn’t compare to the deep crimson that had hardly left his face ever since he had kissed her for the first time. After a short period of getting used to the feeling, Anya was the first to move again. She rocked against him almost leisurely and enjoyed the whimpers and moans Damian made against her skin. She noticed he liked it the best when she made small number eights with her hips. That caused him to pant and nip at her neck.
His hands on her hips were almost painful now with the way he pressed his fingers. Damian must have noticed, because he moved one of his hands down to circle her clit with his finger while she moved up and down. The pleasure built up inside Anya again. Her movements slowly became frantic as Damian continued to tease her and suck on the sensitive skin of her neck, probably leaving his mark on her. She saw stars as he made the coil inside her tighten harder and harder. Picking up the pace with his finger, he could feel the walls around him start to convulse. Fireworks exploded inside her when she moaned his name aloud and grasped his hair desperately. Damian could feel her whole body shake against him in euphoria.
Anya collapsed against him and with a swift move, Damian spun her on her back. Watching her half-lidded eyes, it didn’t take him long to finish. With a loud grunt, he buried his face in her hair as he trembled against her. Neither of them moved for a while and Anya played with his hair almost absentmindedly. Rolling his soft curls around her fingers, she felt happier than she had ever been in her life. Both of them had decided to postpone the questions they had until the morning. Tonight, they simply wanted to enjoy being able to touch each other.
After taking turns to freshen up a little, they fell on the bed. Anya spooned Damian which made him chuckle a little. In her defence, she had always been the one making the first moves. The one who was braver than him, Damian thought. Having her petite body pressed against him in his bed made Damian realise the significance of what had happened today. Anya loved him. It still felt weird and he was half convinced he would soon wake up in his bed alone and the whole night would have just been a dream again. Anya held him tight and placed her wrist on his open palm, hoping it would help ground him. She didn’t need to read his mind to know he was stressed already.
''Just for tonight,'' she murmured against the skin of his shoulder. ''Can we just be Damian and Anya? Two childhood sweethearts in love. We have all the time in the world to figure out the rest.''
He hummed in response, feeling her heartbeat on her wrist, pounding surely as if to say they would be okay.