Written in the Scars (The Damaged Souls #1)

Reagan

The blaring horns from the traffic outside startle me from my sleep.

I go to sit up, flinching at the ache between my legs.

My head jolts to the side, expecting to find him there, but nothing.

Not even a crease in the pillow.

It’s like he was never here.

Looking around my room, my dress is hung over the back of the chair.

Looking down, I’m in an oversized sleep shirt, fear taking over my thoughts.

I slam myself back into my pillow, pulling the duvet over my face as a muffled scream escapes me.

Embarrassment and stupidity soon wash over me.

How could I be so reckless? Bringing some guy I barely know to my home and into my bed, not taking any precautions.

“, you stupid fucker!”

I mentally kick myself, as I recall the events of last night, how he made me feel, the words he spoke to me, the words I spoke to him.

Ahh, fuck it, it was fucking amazing.

I’m still alive, no new scars and I’ll probably never see him again to explain anyway.

I reach over to grab my phone, surprised to find a folded piece of paper sitting on top.

Good morning, Ace.

My sincerest apologies for leaving without saying goodbye,

I had an early meeting and couldn’t bare to wake you.

I have started the coffee machine so it will be ready to pour.

Get yourself a hot shower, it will help with the aches you’re feeling.

There's a bag hung in your wardrobe.

I expect to see you wearing its contents tonight at 7.

Till then,

Yours, Orion.

Holy crap! Rushing from my bed to my wardrobe, I pull out the dress bag to find its contents is a stunning shimmering dark green dress, spaghetti strap mid-thigh length on me, I suspect.

My head is officially overrun with thoughts.

I head to the kitchen for coffee, trying to make sense of all this.

I need caffeine.

Setting up on the sofa with my coffee and laptop, I need to muster up some serious confidence to see this man again.

I feel my cheeks burn as I think about how he had my own thong stuffed in my mouth, had me begging for him.

But damn, it was fucking hot.

Maybe asking Selene for her advice is a good idea.

No, let's not go there.

I open up my emails, when my phone rings.

Nathan, flashing across the screen.

For fuck’s sake!

I let the phone ring, it's my day off and I’m not giving that man a minute of my time.

I add a few notes into the shared file on the story I’m covering, not that there’s much to go on.

Honestly, I don’t know who sent in this tip, but it’s a complete dead end.

I add that I will do one more night of scouting the place, then I’m dropping it.

Someone else can waste their time on this one.

I take my time scrolling through emails, leads for stories and interview appointments.

After finishing my second coffee, I make my way to the bathroom.

Orion's advice on a hot shower sounds perfect about now.

It's then I realize I don’t have any way to contact him, I can’t cancel or return the dress.

I could possibly leave the dress at the bar, with a note, but he knows I’m going to be there for work, he knows where I live.

It's inevitable, right?

Stepping into the shower, the steam enveloping my skin, as I let the hot water ease my tense aching muscles.

My entire body begins to relax, so much that I decide to sit down, letting the water wash over my hair and down my back, the world around me becoming a distant memory.

My phone brings me back when the notification sound echoes off the tiled walls.

Releasing a sigh, I grab for my towel, grab my phone and head to my room.

I'm still working out what I should do about Orion.

Unknown number:

Good afternoon, Ace.

I hope the shower has helped.

I’ll be by the front door at seven this evening, I’m looking forward to seeing you.

Orion.

I have so many questions, sitting on the end of my bed staring at the dress he left for me.

Orion

The day has dragged, endless meetings of men droning on about the businesses and their current cash flow status.

Little did they know I spent more time watching as she slept, thanks to the camera I left in her bedroom, recalling how she looked with my belt around her neck, her tear-filled eyes and the glistening of her wet cunt.

Leaving me sporting an uncomfortable erection as they discuss between themselves, I'm throwing in a nod here and there, my mind infatuated with this woman.

Thankful to be home, I prepare myself for the night ahead, making sure everything is in place for when I return with my queen.

The floor to ceiling windows will provide a beautiful backdrop when I take her right here, over the sofa.

Looking around, I begin to imagine how we will christen each part of the apartment.

Laid on her back on the kitchen island, on all fours on the stairs, of course in both the bath and shower.

Anticipation and excitement travel straight to my cock.

The hard part of tonight is getting her to agree to rule her kingdom from here, with me.

Returning to the bedroom, I put the last few items of clothing in the drawer for her.

I had to make sure she had something comfortable to change into in the morning.

I picked up the same brand of toiletries I had noticed on her dressing table as well.

Once everything’s in place, I head to the wardrobe and pull out my clothes for the evening.

Dark jeans, black button down shirt and, of course, my now favourite belt.

Pulling it through my hands, I can still see the bite marks from it being in her mouth, my cock throbbing at the memory.

I open up my phone, sending her a quick message, hoping she hasn’t spoken herself out of meeting me tonight.

I blocked my number, that way she can’t cancel on me last minute.

I load up the camera footage on my phone and await her return to her bedroom.

She returns minutes after I send the message, fresh from the shower.

Beads of water coating her skin, she looks like a goddess.

Oh, to be a strand of her hair, as it sticks to the curve of her neck.

She sits on the edge of her bed, her eyes flicking from the screen of her phone to the dress I had delivered this morning before I left.

I thought the colour would be exquisite on her, enhancing the green in her eyes.

I can see in her eyes she is seconded guessing herself.

Whether she comes tonight or not, she will eventually realize there is no escaping this.

I didn’t think it would be this easy, I knew there would be a battle to win her over.

There was something in those jades of hers when we first met, this woman is holding onto something, something that keeps those walls up.

Protecting her.

She doesn’t need them now, she has me.

The sooner she realizes that, the sooner we can conquer love together.

She shifts over to her dressing table, pulling out numerous pieces of hair styling equipment and makeup.

She’s coming.

I start to get myself dressed, dropping my sweatpants on the ottoman by the window, still watching her get herself ready.

Another thing I will help her realize, she doesn’t need any of that artificial beauty.

It takes her half an hour to finish her hair and makeup, shifting to pull the towel up every few minutes as she fidgets.

She stands full of confidence as she walks towards her drawers, pulling out another black lace panty, there’s more material to this one.

Not that she’s going to be wearing them long for what I have in store.

My cock jumps to attention as she drops the towel.

There she is, in all her glorious beauty.

Her entire body is accentuated by curves, her thighs, hips leading to her waist and that’s when my eyes stop moving.

I noticed them last night, after she had fallen asleep, I changed her into a sleep shirt.

Her lightly toned stomach laced with the dark pink thin raised lines of scars.

My heart jumped into my throat now as it did last night, rage filling my veins.