Mondays are always a bitch. Especially when you hate mornings. And especially when you had a great weekend, but you have to go back to reality on Monday.

Damien and I spent yesterday together, too, although not the whole day. I went back to my flat when Damien went running, even though he kept making suggestive remarks how he wants to try a bit different workout with me. Yeah, I didn't fall for his charm.

I went back to my place to shower and tried not to overthink what I was doing, but the feeling of his arm wrapped around me and his whole body pressed against mine is etched into my memory, never forgotten now.

And Damien is, apparently, on a mission to stroll back into my life, doing whatever he has to do. He came by my place yesterday afternoon and I would lie if I said I wasn't happy to see him.

But my stubborn ass hated how much I liked it and my heart still has a barricade around it, tsking disapprovingly every time I see Damien. I know now what Justin Bieber was singing about his heart going knock-knock.

He actually wanted to stay the night yesterday, making it look like he's falling asleep during the movie - the exact same trap I fell into - but I kicked him out. I'm not doing that again. That's getting too close and too personal way too fast.

I also had to answer the girls' texts and questions why I didn't hang out with them when they asked. I wasn't in the mood to hang out with them and I even forgot - me, who never forgets about our usual hangouts. But, to my defence, we don't go out every week anymore and I'm allowed to be busy sometimes, too.

I told them I was with Damien and they threatened to come here and cut his balls off. They still held a grudge towards him, but I managed to calm them down, telling them that I'm handling his balls just fine - not literally, of course.

But Monday suddenly doesn't feel that bad when that man invited you out for a dinner tonight. That's the only thing I'm looking forward to today. That's why I feel the work is dragging on.

I'm also stressing about what to wear and planning the things I have to do when I come home. Shower, shave, do my hair, do my make-up, find what to wear so I look sexy and desirable, but not giving off the wrong vibe. Yes, being a woman is hard. Especially when you're dealing with a man like Damien Knox. Or even worse, with the man himself.

Damien comes at my door at 7 pm sharp. I get the door, a bit wobbly in my high heels because I don't know what's waiting for me behind the door. And when I open it, I can only stare mutely.

He's dressed in black trousers, a black dress shirt and a black vest, sans tie. My mouth slightly parts open at how good he looks, especially with his dark hair and light eyes.

He rakes his eyes over my body in an appreciative manner, too. My throat is closing up on me and I can't do anything but stare at the beautiful sight that's in front of me. "Hi," I choke out.

Damien keeps one of his hands in his pocket and extends his other one to touch my hip before he slowly leans in, showing me his intention, and presses his lips right on the corner of my mouth, leaving it there for long enough to make me want to hyperventilate.

He slowly, oh, so slowly drags his mouth a little left so his lips slightly brush over mine before he retreats back. "Good evening, gorgeous," Damien greets me with a smile to die for.

Wow, I really want to go down on my knees for him right now.

I puff the air out of my mouth and go out, closing and locking the door behind, trying to gain some composure before I trip and fall down the stairs.

Damien puts his hand on my lower back and I have to refrain myself from jumping up at his unexpected touch and the feelings I get from it.

He drives us to a fancy restaurant tonight. I don't know if he remembers my distaste for these restaurants, but I don't want to sound bitchy and unappreciative. I'm glad he even took me out, let's leave it at there. I don't even care all the much where we go as long as we're together. Yes, that's how deep I fell for a man.

Who would've thought, the heartless Brooke Campbell crying over a man for three years and now panting like a dog because of the smallest attention he offers me?

But when we enter the restaurant and walk to our reserved table, I'm met with the biggest surprise. I see my brother, which is not that big of a surprise since he often dines in those fancy restaurants. It's who he's with that has me stopping in my tracks. His fucking ex is sitting at the same table, giving him her heart-eyes.

I touch Damien's arm. "Would you excuse me just for a tiny minute?" I say to him and before he can say anything back, I walk straight to the table where Braden and Victoria are sitting. I walk like a woman with a purpose.

When I get there, I loudly put my palms on the table, rattling the table from the force a bit.

"Christ! Brooklyn, hello," my brother says in a surprise, being so engrossed in the conversation with the snake that he didn't even notice anyone approaching.

"Good evening, brother." I look at Victoria. "And rat."

"Brooke," Braden says.

"Hey, I just want to talk on this lovely evening we have tonight!" I eye the knife by Braden's plate and he hastily places his hand on it when he notices where my thoughts are going. "I want to cut your balls off," I quietly threaten him.

Braden pales a bit. "Please don't talk about my balls ..."

I feel Damien standing behind me. I don't even have to turn around to look at him, my whole back feels like it's going to catch a fire.

Braden eyes Damien, studying him closely. Oh, brother, you're too late, he already did the damage.

"Good evening. Damien Knox," he offers my brother his hand. Braden squints his eyes, but accepts the offered hand.

"Braden. Campbell," he clarifies.

Damien nods. "We've briefly met a few years ago." At the failed wedding.

I eye Damien. You better not say a word about it, I warn him silently.

When I look at Victoria, I notice her sitting up straighter, running her eyes up and down my man in an appreciative manner, pushing out her breasts. "Bitch, I'm going to stab you in front of everyone, do not even try it. You have no idea who you're dealing with here." I literally see red if I even think about letting her go any closer to Damien than that.

I straighten up and come into a full contact with Damien's front body, welcoming how close he's standing to me, and even though I have no right to act jealous or possessive, I want to send a message to this whore. And to every other woman in this room.

Damien came with me and is leaving with me.

"I really fucking hope you know what you're doing, brother dearest," I grit out, full-on glaring at him. I don't even want to know what's going through Rory's mind right now. Why wasn't she with him, anyway?

"I do," Braden says. "I wish you two a good evening." Braden nods and looks at Damien again.

I shake my head and walk away from them, Damien following close behind. "I love when you get possessive," Damien says close to my ear before he takes out a chair for me like a true gentleman.

"Man, you're just so full of love lately."

Damien shakes his head to himself and grins. "Your sarcasm is fully appreciated."

I bow my head in full mockery. "Thank you, Sir. Those are some kind words coming out of your mouth. My Lord."

Damien grips the back of my chair so tightly his knuckles turn white. He leans down and his delicious manly smell hits my nostrils, almost throwing me off the chair. "Keep carving those words into your memory, you're going to scream them when I'll be balls deep inside of you."

It's suddenly me gripping the chair so I don't fall on my arse. "I think I'll leave you just with your hand some more," I choke out. I cross my legs to ease the ache between them.

This is going to be a long evening.

◊

It's late when we arrive back home. I feel like I'm floating when I stand in the middle of the living room, smiling like a banshee. I really am getting insane.

But tonight I've had such a good time with Damien. He's been nothing but respectful and he toned down the flirty remarks. We've talked about what's been going on in these three years that he was gone. He talked about his mother and the time in Greece.

He admitted that he felt bad for his mother and he felt even worse because he missed me. And I was so mad, damn him, because I could've been there for him through it all, but he had to hurt us both with his decision.

He admitted how scared he was during that time and how lonely he felt. It was one of the worst things and that experience changed him. And I've noticed he's more mature and more serious, not as playful and flirty.

He told me he's still working at the bank and I've asked him why is he not photographing anymore at which he answered that it's just not the same anymore. He holds different memories on holding the camera now and he wants to keep it that way.

Yeah, I hold some great memories of him holding that camera, too.

Damien was also not trying to come into my flat tonight. He wasn't even trying to steal a kiss, he was just being very respectful. Maybe it's because he told me that he doesn't want to start dating since he just came back from Greece and is apparently not ready yet. Whatever. I'm t

My phone rings in my purse and a look on the screen tells me it's Rory. Huh, interesting.

"Hello, stranger," I say with sarcasm.

"Hey, you. How have you been?" she wants to know.

"Great! A little exhausted, but great." My voice sounds happy and chirpy.

"Hmm. What have you been up to lately?" And I instantly know what she's asking.

"Ah, Rory!" I sigh blissfully. "Life is actually really good for me right now." That's an understatement, but I'll leave it at that.

"Thanks to ...?" Rory prompts.

I giggle - yes, actually giggle. This is Damien Knox's effect, ladies. "I've been hanging out with Damien lately ... a lot," I say the last part quietly ... dreamy.

"Brooke, I won't preach to you, because I'm the last person who should do that, but ... for your own good, I hope you know what you're doing. I wish you all well and wish you find happiness with a man who'll know how to adore you for the person you really are."

I love how concerned she is and how she wants to look out for me. It warms my heart that I have someone who wishes me all well. "It's okay, Rory. I only gave him a chance to be my friend, nothing else. I'm not ready to start something with another man again and he had to beg me to give him a chance to prove to me that he's changed. And only time could tell that, but until I can see on my own that he won't do it again ... there's no chance of us happening, believe me." I chuckle. "I do have some self-respect still, you know."

"You're a smart woman, Brooke. Don't let any man step over you. All those advice you gave me that involved Braden? It's time you use them, too. They truly help," she adds, chuckling back.,

I snort. "Yeah, I see how wrapped you have my brother around your little finger. It's sick to see him like that sometimes when he has never acted this way before."

"I don't want it to look like I have some control over him or something ..."

"No, Rory, it's not like that. It's just funny to see him so smitten with you. Speaking about him, are you alone?" I ask.

"Yeah, Braden still hasn't come home. He said he was going to be late today."

"He's still with her?!" I sputter out in disbelief and rage. It just comes out of me, I can't help it.

"Her?"

"Victoria the snake, who else! I just saw them a few hours ago when Damien and I came into the restaurant. I went to them and we met briefly. God, I swear Damien had to hold me back so I didn't attack her right there in front of everyone."

"Wait, wait. Hold up. You said you saw them going to the restaurant together?" she asks.

"Uhm, yeah? Wait ... He told you about this, didn't he?" I ask softly, already feeling bad I've said anything.

"I ... He said he's working ... I think I need to go," she tells me, her voice barely a whisper. I stand up straighter.

"No, Rory, I'm sorry. I didn't know. Are you okay?" I ask in a panic, although that's a stupid question after I've just dropped that bomb on her.

It takes her awhile to answer me. "Yes. Yes, it's okay, I just ... I need to go," she chokes out as a sob escapes her. "It was nice talking to you."

Rory ends the call before I could say anything back to her. I immediately call her again. I can't leave it at that. I'm so stupid for opening my big mouth. Rory doesn't answer me, but I keep calling. She sends me a text to assure me she's okay, although I don't believe her.

I'm afraid I just broke something between them. And just like that the good night I've had is almost ruined now. 

Charming men are the most dangerous ones, let me tell you.