326 Damien's Wake-Up Call

Golden Phoenix Residences

It was already eight in the morning and the sun is high up in the sky but because Katherine's glass windows were made of smart technology, it blocked the sun's blinding light. The sunshine illuminated the room but it didn't disturb the couple's sleep.

Damien would have already been up a few hours earlier like he normally would but he just had the most amazing sleep in a long time. Knowing the current situation due to yesterday's incident and Damien's orders, Markus didn't call to wake him up and took the initiative to push back some appointments. Damien had not been getting enough sleep for months and now that he finally slept in, Markus didn't want to disturb him.

The two fell asleep around midnight and slept straight until morning. His eyes fluttered open and saw the beautiful view outside — a clear blue and sunny sky. He looked down and saw her… and he decided that the outside view had been topped and didn't come close to the view of the love of his life whose face was currently resting against his chest, whose arms and legs were wrapped around him like a koala on a tree, and whose snore was soft and adorable — the vision of her just made his heart swell.

Katherine was no longer feverish. She recovered so fast after having rested for a night. Everything that happened from last night came to him and he was thankful that she opened up to him. There might still be some things that she's hiding from him but that's okay… Now that he learned what he needed to know, they could just move forward from here. There was no turning back now. His eyes caught sight of the clock and he realized that he had slept in. 

He was supposed to be at work already but there was no way he could peel himself off from her. For the first time in a while, his morning was so good that he just wanted to stay a little longer. Yesterday, he was in a hurry for a meeting that he couldn't cancel. But after what happened last night and because of how he woke up just now, he wouldn't trade this for a billion dollars. This was just priceless. If anything, he would even gladly pay billions for this to happen everyday.

Tightening his embrace, Damien slipped a hand under Katherine's shirt, feeling the smoothness of the skin on her back. He started caressing her gently, his warm hand gliding up and down her back in an attempt to wake her up so she could eat and take her medicine. It felt surreal to actually touch her like this as he hadn't done it for months but he did it so naturally just like he did in the past.

"Good morning," he uttered in a rough voice — the very first words he spoke that morning.

"Good morning…" she replied lazily. "What time is it?"

"Eight."

She pulled backward with widened eyes as she looked at him, "You're late for work. What are you still doing here?"

He pulled her back to him in an instant, shoving her head against his chest. "Cuddling. What do you think?"

"I can see that…" she hesitantly responded. 'I can feel it!' she thought. "Shouldn't you be at work now?"

"I should have been up since five. I woke up just now. I should be at work and yet here I am."

His response was so casual and unhurried. And his hands were dangerously causing her some goosebumps.

She should get up too. She should go to work today but how could she move away from such a wonderful feeling that's called 'Damien'.

Unknowingly, she leaned into him more, making him curl his mouth upward in satisfaction. She couldn't deny that she wanted this too and it was amusing for him. "You should get up," he heard her say and he responded, "Mhmm… I should." But he remained in the same position and did not even try to get up.

"Wait... If you're here, who is taking Bear out?"

"Markus."

"I feel bad for the guy. You make him do everything."

"You're right. I should get up now then, and do everything." Damien attempted to uncoil himself from her but he felt her tighten her hold on him, her arms and legs refusing to let him go. He softly chuckled, "I thought so…"

Katherine felt silly and slightly embarrassed but she couldn't be bothered with that now. She was already feeling bold so she might as well just embrace being one at the moment. It was only the two of them and this man already knew her so well. What else could she be shy about? The fact that she wanted him with her just like this—simple cuddling—she shouldn't be shy about it.

"I need to do some things today," she started.

"Anything I can do to help?"

She paused for a second to think and nodded, "Actually, yeah. That recommendation…"

"Already done. You'll be hearing from them soon."

Katherine pushed herself away from him and her brows knitted. "When did you do that?" she wondered. It was only the day before yesterday when he asked her to meet him for lunch so they could talk about it. And now he was telling her that he already did it? "You tricked me."

"That I did." A smile sprawled across his gorgeous face and she couldn't even get mad at him.

"You're sly, Mr. Park. You'd be a great con artist."

He laughed. "Should I switch jobs now? Do you think I could make more than what I'm already earning?"

She rolled her eyes at him. "You're subtly boasting now… Mr. Billionaire."

"Come on. That's such a repulsive title." He shook his head.

Smiling, Katherine turned around and wanted to slither away from the bed when he stopped her. "Where are you going? Stay…" Damien pulled her back towards him and hovered on top of her, his body completely covering hers.

She gasped at the sudden movement, totally surprised by his actions. Damien kept his weight on his arms and legs. Her heart was in total chaos when she met his dark eyes gazing down at her, hungry… salivating… She gulped in anticipation, not knowing what to do at this point. 

Before she could do anything, he dipped his head low and his lips found the skin under her jaw. It was a sensitive spot, making her grip the sheets hard.

"God, I miss you… so bad…" he breathed on her neck, his nose and lips brushing her skin as he spoke. His bedroom voice and his warmth did it for her, making her want more.

Just when her hands found his back to pull him close, her cell phone buzzed from the nightstand.

"Leave it. Please…" He pressed a kiss below her ear, sucking it and eliciting a reaction from her.

Katherine almost lost it but she found the will to gently push him off her. "It could be important." She regretted immediately but she braced herself because she couldn't handle it if they didn't slow down.

She reached for her phone and read a text from Styles that told her he found something from the search.

Welp, there goes her wake up call from Damien.