CHAPTER TWENTY-THERE ARE WORSE THINGS

Gretchen stood before the full length mirror in her room and looked herself over. Tessa's long white silk gown and matching robe  were a bit tight, but Gretchen was hoping to not be in them for long. She shook out her hair then scrunched it in her hands. Taking a deep breath and smoothing out her hair one last time, she said, "Ok. Here I come."

As she left her room, Damien was already waiting in his doorway. He stood there bare chested with only his pants on. He took Gretchen's hand and pulled her inside his room, then shut the door. 

"Do you always know what I'm thinking?"

Damien nodded. "Most of the time. Like right now, I know you came to collect on my promise."

Gretchen's lips pulled up into a sultry side grin as she stepped closer and put her hands on his chest. "True. I'm afraid I'm a slave to my hormones for the next week or so. I hope you don't mind. I can be kind of n