Claimed by My Ex's Half-Brother-Chapter 218 I thought you said you trusted me?

Chapter 218: Chapter 218 I thought you said you trusted me?

Victoria’s POV

Damien’s kiss lasted longer than ever before. He pressed his lips against mine with such intensity that I almost forgot we were in a car. If we’d been anywhere more private, I had no doubt he would have taken things much further.

My wolf, Nora, stirred restlessly inside me, craving his touch as much as I did.

When he finally released me, my breath came in short gasps. Damien reached over and secured my seatbelt, then couldn’t resist placing another soft kiss on my forehead before settling into the driver’s seat.

I rolled the window down slightly, letting the cool evening breeze caress my flushed face. The night air carried his intoxicating scent - smoky cedar mixed with midnight rose - making my wolf howl with satisfaction.

"So you’ve been spending all this time with Catherine?" I couldn’t help myself. Call it the she-wolf’s instinct to mark territory, but I needed to know.

Damien’s lips curved into a knowing smile. "I thought you said you trusted me?"

"That’s separate," I replied, my fingers tapping against my thigh. "Trust doesn’t mean I forfeit my right to know. Last time Catherine was knocking on your door in the middle of the night. As your girlfriend and potential mate, shouldn’t I ask about that?"

My wolf bristled at the memory of another female entering my mate’s private quarters. Mates were sacred in wolf culture, and though we hadn’t completed the formal bonding ceremony, my instincts were already fiercely protective.

"She did come looking for me that night," Damien admitted, his eyes fixed on the road. "But I had already left. We barely exchanged two words. She’s tried to meet with me twice since then about non-work matters, but I kept it brief. If she bothers you, I can have her transferred to our European branch."

"Don’t," I said quickly. "I’m not that petty. You kept her on because of her abilities. If I mess with someone’s career because of personal feelings, what does that make me? What would Catherine think of me? I couldn’t live with myself."

The moonlight cast shadows across Damien’s sharp jawline as he drove. I couldn’t help admiring his profile, the way his dark hair fell across his forehead, the strength in his hands as they gripped the steering wheel. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

"I don’t want you changing anything about your company because of me," I continued. "Just like I wouldn’t change my pack arrangements for you. If we start letting jealousy dictate business decisions, we’re in trouble."

Damien let out a low chuckle that sent shivers down my spine. "You think I’m that small-minded? Kane has been by your side constantly, and you don’t see me growling at him. But Patrick Wagner is different. That wolf has ulterior motives written all over his face. He’s not to be trusted."

"Patrick’s back in Alpha territory now," I reminded him with a smirk. "You still remember him?"

"He may have left physically, but wolves like him don’t give up easily. He covets what’s mine." Damien’s voice dropped an octave, his wolf Arthur clearly close to the surface. "I need to keep you close, protect what belongs to me."

The possessive edge in his voice made my inner wolf purr with satisfaction. There was nothing more attractive to a she-wolf than a strong, protective mate.

"Then keep your eyes on me," I teased, running my finger along his arm. "That’ll keep you from noticing other females too."

"I don’t notice other females," he growled. "You’re the one attracting every unmated wolf in a hundred-mile radius."

"That’s rich coming from you," I laughed. "I’ve seen how those females from the neighboring packs look at you during council meetings. They practically drool."

"We’re equally matched then," Damien conceded, his hand finding mine and squeezing gently.

We continued our playful banter until we reached our luxury apartment complex. Damien parked in his reserved spot and led me toward the elevator, his hand possessively at the small of my back.

Once inside the elevator, Damien moved to kiss me, but I pushed him away. "Behave yourself!"

"Why?" he whispered against my neck. "We’re alone."

"Security cameras," I pointed to the ceiling where a lens gleamed in the corner. "This is a public space."

"I couldn’t care less who sees," he murmured, his hot breath against my ear sending tingles down my spine.

"Not happening. This is a civilized establishment," I insisted, though Nora whined in protest inside me.

"Fine. Then let’s find somewhere uncivilized," he growled, his eyes briefly flashing their wolf amber.

The elevator ride felt eternal despite only lasting seconds. When the doors finally opened, Damien asked, "Your place or mine?"

The question was familiar, one I’d heard countless times before. I remembered my grandfather’s unexpected visit last time, how we’d nearly been caught. The memory made me nervous.

"Let’s go to yours," I decided. Somehow his territory felt safer, more protected from unexpected interruptions.

The moment we stepped off the elevator, Damien backed me against the wall, unable to wait until we were inside. His hands gripped my waist firmly as his mouth claimed mine in a hungry kiss.

"Wait... not here..." I protested weakly.

His fingers found the sensitive spot on my lower back, making me arch involuntarily into him. My body betrayed me, melting against his hard chest, giving him even more access.

One hand anchored my waist while the other cradled my head, his kiss deepening until I could barely think straight. My wolf was practically clawing to get closer to him, to his scent, to his touch.

"We’re still in the hallway," I gasped when he finally let me breathe. "Control yourself!"

Instead of responding, Damien lifted me effortlessly into his arms and carried me to his door. The moment we crossed the threshold, his restraint vanished completely. His hands were everywhere, tugging at my clothes, his need palpable.

"I’ve waited days for this," he growled against my skin. "Days of torture, thinking about you, wanting you."

I’d never seen him this desperate, this uncontrolled. His wolf was close to the surface, wanting to claim, to possess, to mark me as his alone. It thrilled me to my core.

From the doorway to the couch, our progress was marked by discarded clothing. When he finally laid me down on the soft leather, his lips never left my skin, trailing kisses down my neck, my collarbone, leaving small marks on my flesh—the wolf’s way of claiming territory.

"Damien! Careful!" I gasped as his teeth grazed a sensitive spot.

"Are you part canine?" I teased breathlessly. "That actually hurt!"

"Can’t be gentle right now," he whispered against my ear, his voice rough with desire. "Victoria, it’s been too long. I’ve missed you... every part of you."

The sound of my name on his lips, spoken directly against my ear without the barrier of a phone, made me shiver. My earlobes burned red, my body responding to his every touch.

"Damien... you’re burning up," I murmured, feeling the slick heat of his skin against mine.

"It’s not me," he replied, his lips curving into a smile against my neck. "It’s you. Your body doesn’t lie, Victoria. You’ve missed me just as much."

He was right. My body was soft and pliant under his touch, betraying how much I’d craved this connection during our separation. Tonight stretched before us like a promise, and Damien seemed determined to savor every moment of it.

"Stop that," I protested weakly, pushing away his wandering hands that seemed to know exactly where to touch to make me tremble.

But Damien was beyond listening. His eyes had darkened, his wolf too close to the surface to be denied.

Two could play this game. "Then I get to touch too," I declared, running my fingers over his abs, feeling the hard ridges of muscle that had haunted my dreams.