The Game Of Love (#1)

Chapter-8 The Perfect Plan

Damien could barely wait for the evening to arrive. This was the very first time he was chasing someone and he had to admit, there was a thrill like no other in that. Hazel Connery was feisty and stubborn, two traits that he hates in his women but surprisingly, in this case, it was turning him on big time. He wanted her to defy him so that he can punish her. He wasn't enthusiastically into dominance and submission, but he liked the idea very much. And if he wasn't a Dom, in theory, he was pretty dominating in bed and most of the time, the women were only too happy to surrender.

The contract was ready, he knew what he has to say to her as well and every minute of information on her was lying in the file in front of him. The only thing that he needed now was for Richard to call and agree. Yes, he got this far without him agreeing to this game in the first place but Damien was sure he will. He cannot win over his mother's demands. It was just a matter of time until that happens. And even if he doesn't agree by any chance, it doesn't matter anyway. Because he was still going for Hazel. He was going to own her before Richard can even try to touch her hair. Damien grinned, pleased with himself and excited as hell he scampered downstairs to tell his housekeeper what to cook for tonight. He wanted to keep it simple and quick so that they don't have to waste much time even though there was no greater foreplay than anticipation itself.

Damien climbed out of the shower and glanced at the clock. Six-thirty. He can't believe he was so excited about something that he has been doing regularly for as long as he can remember. Yet, there was a different thrill this time. Nothing about Hazel was what he was used to. The first time they hooked up, it happened. He can't remember a thing about that night except for that little money drama. But now he was in his senses, and he wanted her in every possible way he can. Why?

Because first, she was someone who was wanted by someone else. And he was going to mercilessly snatch her away before that person can even get a chance. Damien wouldn't have cared a s**t if it was not Richard. But taking something away from him was already giving him immense emotional pleasure. Secondly, Hazel was different. In every way. She was not his usual type of woman. She doesn't make it very obvious at the first sight that she would go down on her hands and knees for him, something which Damien was used to. She wanted him alright but she was willing to put that aside and put up a fight first, which he found incredibly attractive. And somehow he also wanted to provide for her, it was instinctive but he wanted to lavish her and spoil her so badly that she wouldn't even think of Richard let alone falling in love with him. 

He was going to take from her, take a lot from her but he was going to give her just as much. It was very philanthropic of him and he can't remember many occasions when he has been this way but man was he proud of himself. He almost felt smug.

Dressing up in a crisp white shirt and purposely leaving the top buttons open, black trousers, and his favorite Hugo Boss watch, he mentally ran through everything that he has to say to Hazel once again so that he doesn't miss out on any detail. At seven-fifteen, he was waiting by the main door, his eyes locked on the security screen. Any moment and she will walk through these doors, completely oblivious to what she was stepping into.

He waited patiently, slowly sipping onto his champagne. He was in no hurry because he has the entire night and the next three months with her. This probably was the first time he was going to be with someone for more than three hours at most. And he wanted to see how that goes for him. His wait came to an end ten minutes later as she walked through the foyer, her face impassive. Damien grinned and pressed the button for the automatic locks just as Hazel raised her hand to ring the bell. The double doors opened with a click and a second later she walked in, her brown eyes set on his face.

Damien almost believed that she was a different girl because there was no way she looked liked the pizza delivery girl who stumbled into his apartment earlier in the morning, in her loose-fitting T-shirt and pants and the stupid-looking delivery cap. She wore a strappy red dress that revealed some of her cleavage and Damien certainly liked that. Hazel was medium height and a few fair inches shorter than him with sharp features, long straight dark hair that was now piled up high on her head, and a petite body. She was attractive and Damien knew that a little grooming will turn her into a siren. She has everything that was needed to call someone beautiful. He walked towards her while she stood there, staring squarely at him.

"Now this, I like infinitely better than your uncle's outfit earlier," He smirked and grabbing her hand, tugged at it, crushing her against his chest.

He was even more pleased to see that her back was bare almost up to her mid-waist and he was tempted to stow the discussion and take her straight to bed. But the discussion was important. He cannot force himself on her if she doesn't agree with what he has to offer. But Damien was not used to anyone saying no to him, so he knew he has to figure some way out if it comes to that. And as he stared down at her, he felt like he wouldn't need to go that length. She was flushed, her skin getting warm with each passing second in his arms. Leaning down a little, Damien softly touched his lips with hers. They were warm and inviting and he wanted to kiss the life out of her. Devour those beautiful red lips until she couldn't feel them.

All in good time, Damien...he thought to himself and then released the startled girl from his grasp. He smiled down at her and then taking her hand walked over to the sitting area, pointing towards the couch.

"Get comfortable, Hazel. It's going to be a long night," He murmured and her eyes widened at the remark. "What would you like to drink? Champagne, wine, vodka, whisky?" Hazel shrugged and Damien can see she was nervous.

"This could turn into a celebration so I think champagne should be good," He said and sauntered over to the kitchen to refill his glass and fill up a new one for Hazel. He took his time because it was his way of teasing her. The more the anticipation, the greater the fun.

"Here," He handed her the long-stemmed glass and then sat down in front of her, eyeing her from the rim of his glass. "Don't be so nervous, Hazel. I am not going to hurt you,"

"You don't appear very trustworthy to me, Damien," She said flatly and Damien couldn't help but smile. Interesting.

"I am not. For most of the people," He answered. "But trust me, I am not going to hurt you. Not literally at least. I want you so why would I hurt you, that doesn't make sense, doesn't it?"

"Why do you want me of all the thousands of girls out there in New York?" Hazel demanded and Damien shrugged. If he tells her the reason, she will kick the living s**t out of him with her black pumps.

"Because you captivated my attention, Hazel," He answered. "I want you, that should be more than enough,"

"You are way too full of yourself," She said glumly and Damien smirked. 

"I deserve to be. Look at me, do I look just an ordinary man walking down the streets to you? Of course, I should be full of myself, though I prefer the word confident better," He said. "Now, if you are done criticizing me, shall we get down to business? Because I am getting a little impatient here,"

"Fine. What do you want from me?" Hazel asked, draining her glass and placing it on the coffee table before folding her arms across her chest. She was trying to look stern and it amused Damien exceedingly.

"I want you, isn't that clear enough?" Damien muttered and Hazel rolled her eyes at him.

"What exactly do you want me for? You said you have a proposal?" She demanded.

"Of course, I don't want you to play hockey with me," He said sarcastically. "I want you in my bed. I want us to have a relationship..."

"Relationship?" Hazel said and now it was her turn to be sarcastic. "I am sorry but you don't quite appear the relationship type to me,"

"Yes, I am not," He agreed. "But I have my kind of relationships and I will explain that in a bit. But before that, there's something I want you to do for me. Something only you can do. Of course, not for free. If you do this work for me, I will pay...fifty million dollars to you as the price,"

An infinite silence fell over the room as Hazel stared at him blankly as if he has said the Earth was triangular. He had no idea what she was thinking. But he does hoped that she was stunned to silence because fifty million dollars could change her life forever. She won't need to work weird odd jobs or worry about her mother's hospital bills, who was in a coma for the last two years or something and she could start studying again. Everything will work out for her and he will get what he wants. Revenge from Richard and Hazel in his bed. It was the perfect proposal. The perfect plan. Damien waited patiently for her to say something. And when she opened her mouth to speak, it was not what Damien was expecting.

"What the hell?" Hazel grimaced and Damien sighed.

This was going to be a bloody long wait...