Echoes of Passion Read online

“He’s not coming.” He announced, sitting back and glancing toward the kitchen.

  “Why?” she cried as he motioned the housekeeper for some tea.

  Damon focused his attention to her face. “Because I wanted to spend some time with you…alone. Because we never have time to talk.”

  Affection seeped through Katie and she slipped closer to him, sliding her hand over his thigh. He tensed but fought his initial response, then soon relaxed as she tenderly laid her hand atop his.

  “I'm sorry I've been so busy.”

  “It’s okay. Once your business sets off you’ll have more time. You can delegate.”

  She sighed. “Damon, I can’t thank you enough.”

  “We’ve been through this so many times. I didn’t do anything. I found you an investor and he liked your work. The fact that you have experience working in a high-end clothing store helped you…I did not.”

  “Still…thank you.” He nodded looking away. “You know that morning when I saw you, it seems like ages ago even though it’s been what? Like…ten days hardly? I had had such a bad night, a bad month actually. I was tense and worried. Brianna had told me Intercorp owns a garment factory and I applied there too, everywhere…it was just…it was such a bad spell.”

  He grasped her hand warmly in his, deriving immense pleasure in such a simple act. Katie had redefined what could be gratifying.

  “It’s over, Katie. Once your business hits off, you’ll never have to worry about joblessness again.”

  She beamed. “I know right? It’s so great!”

  He sighed and held her hand palm up. With his other hand, he traced the lines of her palm.

  “I was thinking of using my trust fund to invest in the business too. What do you think?”

  “Absolutely not! Never risk your own money. You have an investor who’s taking the risk. Why do you have to jeopardize your financial security?”

  “But right now, I have a smaller share in the business. If I use the trust- ”

  “No freaking way, Katie,” he said softly, shaking his head like he meant business. “I won’t let you gamble your own money away.”

  “But you trust me, right? You trust that the boutique will be great?”

  “Of course I do.”

  “Then?”

  He sighed. “Katie. I don’t want you to use your trust fund. That’s like not even up for discussion. If you bring that up in front of Reynolds I swear I’ll ask him to pull out of the deal.” The threat made her purse her lips and she pulled her hand away from his. “Behave yourself,” he chided gently and yanked her hand straight back.

  She smiled. A few days ago, he would have raged and glared at her and then thrown her on all fours while he pleasured her in the name of punishment. Now he was so…sweet.

  “You're sweet.”

  He grimaced. “Shut up.”

  She laughed and rested her head on his shoulder. Damon stared straight ahead, tense and awkward. “Can I tell you something?”

  “Hm?”

  “I hate that you don’t have time for me anymore.”

  She stilled then met his eyes. “It’s just for a few weeks, Damon.”

  “I know I know. I know it’s important, and I would never ever come between you and this project. It’s a life changing experience.”

  “Then what?”

  He tilted sideways and stared into her eyes. Reaching forward, he pushed a strand of soft brown hair off her cheek and tucked it behind her ear. She was so beautiful. She was real. No matter where they went or whom they met, she always dressed with quiet dignity, demure necklines, and modest hemlines. Before her, he had never thought he admired that quality.

  “Move in with me.”

  Katie’s jaw fell open. “What?” she chuckled.

  “Its’ not funny. Really, Katie. I want you move in with me.”

  Katie blushed. What is he thinking? True she was giddily attracted to him but they were dominant and submissive. Although it had the qualities of a real relationship, it was just too soon to gamble so much after such a short while.

  “I live five minutes away!” she cried and he nodded.

  “I know. But that’s five minutes I don’t get to spend with you.”

  A smile spread across her face. She was smart. She knew that moving in with Damon Meade so soon was a terrible idea. Several of her friends had ruined perfectly awesome relationships by taking this step too soon. But he was not like the others. Their relationship was unlike any other.

  Thinking that Katie was going to turn him down, he thought wildly for something to say that would convince her. “This is the first time I've asked someone to move in with me, Katie. You turn me down and I’ll be so pissed,” he joked and she grinned.

  “I’ll bring my stuff over tonight.”

  He visibly relaxed and exhaled deeply. “Now.”

  “What?” she laughed and he stood up, dragging her along. “We’re going to get your stuff right now. You officially live here now. Let me change and I’ll be right out.”

  Katie chuckled at his obvious eagerness. He had so many sides. He was like a diamond – brilliant and coveted – with many sides. Every side had a sparkle of its own.

  The intercom buzzed and glanced toward the bedroom. Damon was in the bathroom so she went ahead and lifted the receiver. Since she technically lived there now, he surely wouldn’t mind her taking a call from building reception.

  “Yes.”

  “There is a call for Mr. Meade. It is a Miss Sally Fields. She requested me to let her call through.”

  “Uhh…hang on one second, please.” Katie peeped through the bedroom door and Damon was still in the bathroom. “I’m sorry, Mr. Meade is...”

  “Hello?” A feminine voice sounded through the receiver and Katie realized that the building operator had placed the call through mistakenly.

  “Hi. Mr. Meade is busy at the moment. Can you leave your number and I’ll ask him to call you back later?” Katie found a pen and notepad next to the phone.

  “Damon has my number. Are you his housekeeper?”

  “No, not really.” Katie didn't know what to say. I’m his girlfriend? He had never even used the word, she realized with a jolt. What was she if someone asked? His submissive?

  “Well, that changes things!” The woman seethed with fury from the other side. Katie had a feeling that the woman had just realized that Katie was Damon’s present submissive. “Tell Damon our date this evening is off. I have somewhere else I need to be. But let him know he can come over to my place. Same time he did last night.” With that she hung up, and Katie held the phone to her ear in a daze.

  “Ready to go?” Damon said from right behind and she turned, her face ashen.

  Move in with me. I've never asked anyone to move in with me before. That’s five minutes I don’t get to spend with you.

  She pursed her lips as anger and pain almost sent her to her knees. In that moment, she realized how attached she was to him. He had spun a web around her and she was trapped in it.

  “Are you okay?” He reached for her face and she jerked away, making his eyes narrow. “Who was it on the phone?”

  *

  The COMPLETE SERIES is now available

  Echoes of Passion Book 1

  Katie Stevens just lost her job and finds herself pursued by the most enthralling, yet domineering man she has ever met.

  Echoes of Passion Book 2

  Katie finds herself back at the place which had left her stunned. A different man awaits her, and she begins to realize that Damon Meade has more sides than she could ever manage to fathom. She savors his unpredictable modes, and lavishes him with attentions that he has never welcomed nor enjoyed before. Her life has more direction. Her spell of disastrous bad luck seems to be close to an end.

  Echoes of Passion Book 3

  Katie is trying her hardest to believe in him, trust him every step of the way. Damon basks in her cheerfulness, her warmth and closeness, but is unsure what his feelings mean. Katie
on the other hand, knows perfectly that she is in love with her Dom, and she feels his love. But saying the words is another matter entirely, and Katie doesn’t want to risk anything. Her world, her sanctuary with the one man she truly wants forever, is on the line.

  Echoes of Passion Book 4

  It’s Damon’s turn to struggle. His feelings confuse him, and leave him bereft with utter longing. The ache in his chest grows inexorably and it will take a while before he fathoms the true meaning of it. Owing to Katie’s indecisions and impulsiveness, fear coils around his heart as a permanent presence. He fights it off, and the result will be one that might change the course of their lives forever.