Free Belonging by K.L. Kreig

she could still get help, just from Damian instead. Or she could convince Damian to ask Devon if he didn’t know how to find Beth.
    She didn’t think Lord Devon had anything to do with Beth’s disappearance, but Smitty had told her that he might know how to find out. And he certainly had the resources and money to help her, if his club and this house were any indication. She didn’t have anything to barter in return, but she’d do anything he asked of her. Right now, she just needed help.
    And since Devon wasn’t around, Damian was her next best bet. Would it be a hardship to offer her body to Damian? Hell, no . He’d been more than forthcoming of his desire for her, and just looking at him made her wet. He stirred surprising but enjoyable feelings in her. Would it be a smart idea to sleep with him? Obviously not . Would that stop her? She really didn’t know.
    With a loose plan formulated, she peeled off her black dress, bra and panties. Drawing on her baby blue tank and matching patterned terry shorts, she did her business in the bathroom and plugged in her cell. With tonight’s bedtime playlist selected, John Legend’s “You & I” played softly from the phone’s small speakers. Music was the balm for her tattered soul. Lyrics spoke to her, saving her in dark times, soothing her in sad times, giving her strength to face the future.
    As she settled under the soft sheets, she resolved to fortify her walls. She was irrationally attracted to Damian. She wanted him in her bed, in her body. And it terrified her. She’d never really ever been attracted to a man, certainly not like this. That night so many years ago had ruined her for the opposite sex. And she didn’t bat for the same team, so that left her girl parts pretty much dried up like a prune.
    So, yes, being so attracted to Damian was foreign territory and scary shit. And she had no clue how to handle it. She liked him way too much for just having met him. She was not a clingy or needy woman by any means. Why him? Why now?
    Your destiny awaits. Could it be true?
    No. She wouldn’t let anyone in that space ever again. It was—and would remain—completely closed off. Other than Beth, she was incapable of love. Life was just easier that way. Lonelier? Perhaps. But she’d had enough lies, enough hurt, enough subterfuge to last two lifetimes.
    Beth was still alive—she felt it—but the clock was ticking. Her focus, her mission had to be solely on finding Beth before it was too late, not sleeping with the sexiest man— vampire —she’d ever met. He was not her destiny. Finding Beth was. That must have been what Mara meant.
    The lie sat hard, like a heavy boulder in the pit of her stomach. In the background, John Legend crooned in the magical way only he could.
    As she drifted off into a restless sleep, she couldn’t help herself from wishing that it were Damian singing to her instead. All of her past, her troubles would melt away and it would be just the two of them, and she would be happy. Truly happy. And she would be his one and only girl.
    Sighing, she decided she’d work on fortifying her walls tomorrow. Tonight would be reserved for foolishly daydreaming of things that could never be.

 
    C hapter 13
     
    Damian
     
    He’d made his way back to Dev’s office, waiting on Rom. His cock was so hard he could hardly think. He might have to resort to taking care of it himself. He could actually feel his balls turning purple. Strangely, though, as much as he wanted to be inside her body, he wanted to be inside her heart, her soul. He wanted to break through Analise’s emotional barriers and be the one person she could trust. Love .
    He called Frankie. He didn’t even know Analise’s last name and he needed it for what he had in mind.
    “Frankie, I need Analise’s last name.”
    “How is she? Is she with you?” Frankie’s whiny voice grated on his last nerve. And he had just a little too much interest in his Moira’s welfare.
    “Her last name.