Chapter 5 5

Merry, Samantha and Nicki sat with Mr George Steele, Merry's crippled father. She told him about her job's nature minus the sexual side of it and he smiled, hugged her and wished her well.

He told her-happily-that it was a good thing that Damon Blackwell found her because he believed in her and she said it was because it was just business.

Later, Samantha, her bestfriend, was with her in her room, ears pricked up for informations.

"So, what was he like? How hot has he become?"

"Sam! You need to calm down!"

"Come on, girl. We always talk about guys worse than this. Don't be scared. It's just Damon Blackwell."

"Well...." Merry shrugged. "He's hot."

Samantha stared, inquisitive.

"Very hot." Merry added and Samantha's eyes widened.

"Jeezzz. Merry, you'll never regret your decision. You're also gonna be enjoying his dick. DAMON BLACK-WELL'S DICK!!!"

"Sam!"

"Girl. Relax. We're best friends. He's a contract boyfriend, remember? We can harass him.... Except you don't wanna...."

"Yes. He's a contract boyfriend."

"Jesus! I'm jealous of you. You're having that handsome, gorgeous man to yourself. For free."

Merry giggled.

"It's a job. We are enemies also. Let's be discreet and not let anyone hear."

"Sure. This is getting interesting."

"You're always interested, Samantha."

"Hey, don't act like you don't ask for every detail about my weekends with Caleb."

They laughed.

Samantha studied her for a moment. "And you're not doing this because you miss chaos, right? You can't...."

Merry's smile faded just a little. "I'm not letting the past repeat itself."

"Good," Samantha said quietly. Then, lighter, "Cas' I'm not running your kitchen forever."

Merry nudged her. "I'll pay you."

"You will not."

"I can afford it."

Samantha shook her head, smiling. "You're still terrible at letting people help you."

They sat in comfortable silence for a beat.

Then Samantha smirked again. "Still though... contract boyfriend?"

Merry groaned. "Don't."

"I mean," Samantha continued, unapologetic, "it's a sudden, ridiculous setup. You pretending to be engaged to one of the most powerful men in California. A memory."

"It's temporary."

"Everything dangerous is," Samantha said. Then she winked. "Just don't forget why you're there."

Merry nodded. "I won't."

Samantha stood and stretched. "Alright. Go tame your billionaire."

Merry laughed, shaking her head. "You're unbelievable."

They laughed and talked about "how crazy men were", the restaurant and money all through the night.

****

****

Merry arrived at Damon's penthouse in the morning.

She looked serious sitting opposite Damon Blackwell at his regal dining room.

Damon looked unbothered and deep in work on his laptop at first while Merry stared at his facial details, bored.

Then, he looked up.

Their eyes met. Merry didn't back down and smirked when he snapped.

"What?"

"I need your help." Merry replied and he instantly looked interested. Calm. Eyes warning.

"The contract says I'm very important in your life right now and I'll love to use it against you. You'll help me with that." She said and was satisfied when he looked confused and disbelieving.

"What?" He asked.

"I mean I will walk away if you say NO. You'll do the dishes. Now."

She got to her feet and Damon first stared with shock....

Then anger.

"That's your fucking job, Merry Steele!" He growled and got to his feet.

"You're too dramatic, Damon Blackwell. You have a dishwasher."

"So?"

"I'm too important."

He hit the table and leaned closer, his eyes intimidating but Merry stared him down, hands on waist.

"You're irritating me and...." Damon began but he shook with anger, lost for a better threat.

Merry nonchalantly turned and catwalked to the kitchen.

"I won't wait five minutes, Blackwell."

She went straight to making breakfast.

It took some time but Damon grudgingly arrived and went straight to the dishwasher.

Silence.

"Get me sugar, Damon."

He acted like he didn't hear.

She walked up to him, not minding his dangerous glare or how big and dominant he looked over her smaller figure. She poked his rib twice.

"I need sugar. Right now."

He narrowed his eyes and watched as she went back to the frying eggs and vegetables.

"You have to bring the sugar because I can't leave this frying egg for a second."

"Don't fucking talk to me. Do your job. I'm busy with the dishes!" Damon snapped, frustrated. He didn't move.

"If I leave the eggs, it'll explode." Merry said, not looking Damon's way. He didn't mind her but she knew he was threatened.

"It'll burn your kitchen. And both of us."

Instantly, he moved. Fast.

Merry tried not to laugh as he ravaged in the cupboard for sugar.

"Make it snappy."

He walked back to her, his eyes still very angry.

They held eye contact as their fingers brushed lightly.

Merry was angry at herself when her heart kicked. She quickly smirked and put the sugar down.

She realized Damon wasn't going back to the dishwasher but he was watching her intently. She licked her lips, turned off the fire and went back to their staring contest, ready for him.

"You're not done with the dishes."

"Stop smiling like that. We're not having fun." He warned, dangerously.

Merry folded her arms.

"The contract never said you have the right to tell your most important chef...." She ran a lazy hand through her hair. ".... to stop smiling. A contented worker has to smile. And also, Damon. I'm not smiling at you. You-don't-fucking-deserve-it!"

He two deep breaths and went back to work.

****

****

When Merry finished cooking, she sat with Damon who was back to making calls at the table. She was first to eat.

Same time, Damon turned off his laptop.

Suddenly, Merry retched, bile rising in her throat. She nearly vomited on the table and had to spit the food out back.

Silence.

She was vibrating. Anger. Lethal anger. She looked up at Damon who stared, interested.

"What did you do?!" She asked, voice low.

Damon only stared, a little touch of a wicked smile reaching his face. He didn't know what was wrong but he felt pleased that it wasn't good.

"Damon, I asked for sugar!!! Sugar. Not salt. Can't you tell the difference? Now, you've destroyed breakfast. What the fuck is wrong with you?"

Damon leaned back, watching her with abnormal calm.

"You should be more careful who you challenge, Merry Steele. And yes, I can't tell the difference. So, now, you'll do your job without me. Don't come up to my room if you're not done with cooking."

"You're trying to prove you can control everything, huh?!"

"I control everything. That's what I'm made off. Don't play with me."

Merry tried to calm down as his words settled in her head.

She wanted to shout. She wanted to cry. She was annoyed but Damon was saying the truth.

Now, she had to get back to working again. She had to wash the dishes and cook on her own now.

But she couldn't let him feel superior with her. Determined, she narrowed her eyes at his departing form.

****

****

In the evening time, Merry finished her online meeting with Samantha, Nicki and some of her kitchen staffs.

When she looked up, she jumped, squealing and startled at seeing Damon sitting there quietly, watching her.

Waiting for her?

She was chilled then irritated.

Their eyes met again for the umpteenth time in one day.

"How long have you been there?"

"Longer than you can tell. Follow me." Damon simply said and began to go upstairs to his room.

Merry grudgingly kept her things and hurried after him, heels clacking on fine marbles.

From behind him, she silently stared at his broad shoulders and compact buttocks.

Damon Blackwell....

She remembered him so well. Even from how he walked, hip slightly swaying, posture sure and proud, large-sized muscles well toned through his grey shirt.

She was still trying to get used to the fact that he was from a multi billion dollar family and she'd never known in the past.

He was a pretender....

A liar....

A handsome devil.

He'd gotten bigger now. After five years.

But he was colder. In a bad way. Very bad way.

They got in his large, finely made bedroom and he walked to the closet while she sat on the bed, watching him get a handful of mall bags.

He walked back toward her and roughly tumbled out the many clothing they contained.

Merry stared, eyebrows quirked.

Red, black, pink, cream and wine colors were dominant and Merry realized he'd offloaded sexy thongs, lingeries, brazziers, see-through nightgowns and so many sexy silks and satins that even turned her on.

"How did you guess my size?"

Damon pulled her up to her feet, watching her intently. Gently, he wrapped his hands around her buttocks and then ran his hands sensually around her hips, savoring the feel of her sexy curves.

"You're very.... sizable by sight, Merry Steele." He rasped, staring at the intimate curve of her soft, full lips.

"Hm." She hummed. "Put some respect to a woman's body."