Save Me (#1 In Billionaires Obsessed Series)

Dahlia

I thought I understood what sexual tension was, but being with Damien had redefined it entirely. This entire week felt like one long, charged current of electricity, humming between us.

Although I hadn't seen him in the evenings—he had been working late—our mornings together made up for it. Breakfasts were filled with heated glances, lingering touches, and intensely passionate make-out sessions in the kitchen, the elevator, and the car whenever it came to a stop. It was as though we physically couldn't keep our hands off each other.

And even when we were apart at night, Damien kept the tension burning by sending the most explicit, jaw-dropping text messages that left me breathless and flushed, awakening parts of me I didn't even know existed. Before him, I had no idea that your body could literally pulsate with desire.

In addition to making me feel more aroused than I could barely handle, he also made me feel desired, adored, and sexy. I did not recognize myself half the time I was making out with him because I was getting bolder and more confident with my kisses and touches. He'd created a space where I felt safe to explore, always making it clear that things would only go as far as I wanted them to.

I was running out of reasons not to fall in love with him. Telling myself it was too soon or that he might not feel the same wasn't convincing anymore—especially when my heart felt like it was spilling over every time we were together.

I wished I could work through all these emotions with my mother, she would have known exactly how to handle this. I often wondered what she would think of what my life had become in general. But thanks to Damien, I was now able to see her every day after work at the new hospital he had had her transferred to.

Though she couldn't respond, it still felt good to talk to her—about the big things, like falling in love with my arranged husband, and the little things, like how my day went. Having her nearby eased some of the weight on my chest. It reminded me she would never want me to hold back from living fully.

Between seeing my mother daily, the deepening connection with Damien, and the bakery's preparations for the MS Awareness Carnival coming along smoothly, this week had been incredible.

Before I knew it, it was the day before the carnival. The bakery was bustling as we wrapped up the last batch of cookies, each one carefully placed in adorable little pastel yellow paper packaging that bared the name and location of the bakery as per Sebastian's suggestion for advertisement.

Thankfully, Mary and I weren't alone in the chaos. Mary's daughter, Lucy May, and her teenage granddaughter, Grace, had flown in to help. Lucy May explained that when she heard Mary had landed her biggest order in decades, she knew she had to lend a hand.

It'd been heartwarming to see Mary so joyful. She was always a cheerful presence, but around her daughter and granddaughter, she absolutely radiated happiness. Lucy May kept us entertained with stories and memories, one of which caught me completely off guard.

Apparently, Mary had met her late husband, Ben, in the most unconventional way. He'd been her driver—on her way to her wedding to another man. Twenty-year-old Mary had been anxious because she had not wanted to marry the man she was about to marry, but had felt pressured by her family because he was a family friend and also rich. Ben seeing Mary close to tears began conversating with her. He'd made her laugh with his terrible jokes and his positive outlook on life had eased her. During the journey, they discovered that they had a lot of things in common, including their dream of someday opening a bakery.

When they arrived at the church, Ben had turned to her with a grin and said, "This may sound crazy, but why don't you marry me instead?" To my astonishment, Mary had agreed on the spot. They'd eloped the same day in a neighboring city. Her family ended up shunning her because not only was Ben not rich, but he was also black. I was glad Mary had chosen her own happiness instead of the path forced onto her by her classist, racist family.