Chapter 18

Ava and Damien lay tangled together on the couch, their bodies glistening with sweat. As their breathing steadied, Ava traced lazy circles on Damien's chest, a satisfied smile playing on her lips.

"That was incredible," Damien murmured, his fingers running through Ava's hair.

Ava propped herself up on an elbow, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh, we're not done yet, handsome. The night is young, and I have so much more planned for you."

Just as Ava leaned in for another kiss, they heard the front door open. Damien's eyes widened in panic, and Ava quickly rolled off him, reaching for her discarded clothes.

"Damien? Are you home?" Vivi's voice called out from the foyer.

Damien scrambled to his feet, hastily pulling on his pants. "Uh, yeah! In the living room. Just give me a second!"

Ava suppressed a giggle as she slipped on her dress, her eyes dancing with amusement at Damien's flustered state. She winked at him before disappearing into the adjacent study.

Vivi walked into the living room just as Damien finished buttoning his shirt. She paused, taking in his disheveled appearance and the musky scent that lingered in the air. Her eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of something - jealousy? - passing across her face.

"I didn't realize you'd be home so early," Vivi said, her voice carefully neutral. "I thought you'd still be at the party."

Damien ran a hand through his tousled hair, trying to appear casual. "Yeah, I, uh, decided to call it an early night. How about you? Weren't you supposed to be out with my father?"

Vivi's expression tightened almost imperceptibly. "He got caught up in a business call. I decided to come home instead of waiting around."

An awkward silence fell between them, thick with unspoken tension. Vivi's gaze swept the room, lingering on the rumpled couch cushions and a delicate gold bracelet that had fallen unnoticed behind a throw pillow.

Vivi's eyes lingered on the bracelet for a moment before she quickly looked away, her jaw tightening. She took a deep breath, composing herself.

"Well, I suppose I'll head to bed then," she said, her voice carefully controlled. "Goodnight, Damien."

As she turned to leave, Damien called out, "Vivi, wait."

She paused, her back still to him. Damien struggled to find the right words, the air between them heavy with unspoken emotions.

"I... I hope you had a nice evening, despite the change of plans," he managed lamely.

Vivi glanced over her shoulder, her expression unreadable. "It was fine. I'm sure you had a much more... entertaining night."

Before Damien could respond, she was gone, her footsteps echoing up the stairs. He sank back onto the couch, running his hands through his hair in frustration.

Meanwhile, Vivi leaned against her closed bedroom door, her heart racing. She tried to push away the images that flooded her mind - Damien with another woman, laughing, touching, kissing. She shook her head, angry at herself for caring so much.

Damien stood alone in the dimly lit room, his gaze fixed on the empty doorway through which Vivi had just disappeared. He took a swig from the drink in his hand, the burn of whiskey coating his throat. His mind was a turmoil of conflicting emotions: anger, lust, and a nagging sense of guilt.

Before he could dwell on his thoughts further, the sound of light footsteps and the soft swish of fabric interrupted the silence. Ava stood in the doorway, her smile sly and inviting.

"Well, aren't you going to invite me in?" she purred, sauntering toward him.

Damien straightened, setting down his drink. "What do you want, Ava?" he asked, his voice edged with a combination of irritation and desire.

She stopped mere inches from him, her perfume intoxicating. "You know exactly what I want," she murmured, reaching up to trace a finger along his jawline. "I can see it in your eyes. You're still hungry for more."

Ava's hand dropped to his chest, her touch electric as she slowly began to unbutton his shirt. "Let's continue where we left off, shall we?"

Desire warred with guilt within Damien, but the battle was short-lived. He found himself pulling her close, their lips crashing together in a hungry kiss. Ava's hands roamed over his chest, sending sparks of pleasure through him.

With a growl, Damien lifted her onto the nearby table, stepping between her legs. The smile on her face was triumphant as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Their kiss deepened, tongues dancing in a sensual rhythm.

Ava's fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him closer as she moaned softly. Her hips arched, pressing against the growing bulge in his pants. With a swift movement, Damien undid his belt, shedding his clothing with urgency.

Ava's eyes sparkled with excitement as she reached down, stroking his hardening length. "I want you inside me," she whispered, her breath hot against his ear.

Damien obliged, thrusting into her with a groan. Ava met his rhythm, her nails digging into his shoulders. Her lips found his again, their kisses hungry and desperate.

Their passion built, their movements becoming wilder and more frenzied. The room echoed with their ragged breathing and the slick sounds of their union.

"Harder," Ava panted, her head thrown back, her blonde hair cascading over her shoulders. "I want you to fuck me harder, Damien."

He obliged, his thrusts powerful and deliberate, driving into her with a relentless pace. Ava's moans filled the room, a symphony of pleasure.

As their climax approached, their movements became erratic. Ava's nails dug into his skin, marking him as she cried out his name. Damien followed suit, his release intense as he spilled himself deep within her.

They collapsed against each other, their chests heaving. Ava's eyes sparkled with satisfaction as she ran a finger along his jaw. "That's what I call a proper welcome home," she purred.

Damien met her gaze, his breath still unsteady. "Welcome home?" he echoed, a mix of confusion and curiosity in his voice.

Ava's smile widened, her expression turning mischievous. "Oh yes... I plan on making this my regular stop whenever I'm in town. And you, Damien, will be my personal tour guide to pleasure."