Femme Fatale: The King's Deadly Temptress

Chapter 154: Damien's Skillful Hands

After their crazy afternoon shopping, Katherine and Alianna went home to Pearl Gardens with several shopping bags in their hands. It was already almost seven in the evening when they arrived home and the sky was already turning dark. 

Alianna pushed the door open and the fragrant smell of a savory dish lingered in the air. "Ugh… great! More food," she exhaled a sigh before heading towards the kitchen.

Katherine chuckled as she entered the living room. Alianna ate a nutritious snack earlier in the afternoon while she ate junk food and she could not forget the look on Ali's face every time she dipped her fries on the ice cream sundae. Katherine didn't think she would ever survive with Alianna's intense workouts and strict diet — even though she gives herself 'treat' days.

A brown fluffy ball of fur bounced and barked on her feet, asking to be pet while Damien strolled out of the kitchen on the way to greet her. Katherine bent down and gathered the puppy in her arms, scratching him all over. "Hey, baby Bear… I miss you too, yes I do!" she cooed. "Has Bear been a good boy?"

"Is this how it's going to be all the time? I'm your second favorite now? You don't greet me anymore..." Damien sighed and crossed his arms as he leaned against the wall by the living room, watching as Katherine played with Bear.

Alianna appeared from the Kitchen with a cup of yogurt, some fruits, and some nuts. "Oh, dream on. After Bear, I'm second and you're third. Unless… Nana gets in line too, then…" she laughed, "Oh man… poor you."

Damien shot Ali a look and she stuck her tongue out to him before heading towards the stairs. "I'm going to turn in early after doing my yoga… Goodnight, fam."

When Alianna left, Katherine shook her head and walked up to Damien who was still pouting so adorably. She placed her hands on his chest and slid them up to hook them around his neck before pulling him down for a quick kiss. "Hello…"

"That's all? Bear gets all the coos and cuddles and I only get a 'hello'? I'm hurt," he sighed, encircling his arms around her waist and pressing their bodies together.

Damien's words made Katherine throw her head back, laughing at how adorable he sounded. "You know Alianna's just teasing you. Of course, you're my number one!"

"Now why don't I believe that anymore?"

Tiptoeing, Katherine smiled against his lips, "What if I do this?" she pressed her lips to his and slowly kissed him, threading her fingers into his hair before pulling back.

"Not quite." He pulled her back to him and deepened the kiss, earning a moan from her as he stroked his hands down to cup her bottom and giving them a squeeze.

"All good?" she asked, giggling as they broke the kiss.

"Yeah… all good." Damien grinned, taking her hand in his and pulling her towards the kitchen. "Are you hungry?"

"Hmmm… I only had some fries earlier, I'm still hungry. What are you making?" she asked just as they entered the kitchen. She found a pan with dark red - almost brown sauce simmering on the stove before turning her head to the island counter and saw the surface covered with flour.  "Ooh… You're making pasta," she beamed.

"Mhmm…" He wiped his hands with the kitchen towel after washing and turned towards the counter.

Katherine grabbed a stool and sat in front of the counter. "Cool," she commented as she watched him unwrap the dough and started rolling it on the floured surface. When she first learned about his cooking skills, she wondered how much he knows and Damien never ceases to amaze her with what he could create with his skillful hands. He was definitely more of a cook than her.

This wasn't the first time that she saw him make fresh pasta but ever since she admitted to him that she found it 'sexy', he had been making it for her whenever he had time to spare. Though apart from having his ego boosted, he really does enjoy making his food from scratch as it makes everything taste better.

For Katherine, just watching his arms stretch... and flex... and get all veiny as he worked on the dough religiously… made her all giddy. 

"Haven't you had enough of watching me do this yet?" Damien chuckled as he glanced at her watching him so seriously.

Katherine shook her head. "Nope. I like to enjoy it."

"What? Your food… or watching me make your food?"

"Can't I just enjoy?" She raised a brow before adding, "But if it helps… I'll just say I enjoy watching you make my food more." 

'It's delicious.' 

"It does help." Damien winked at her. Having a few sheets of dough flattened and ready to be cut, he asked, "So, how do you want it? Thin? Wide... bow ties..."

She got off the stool and circled around the counter to kiss his cheek. "Now… You don't have to show off all your skills. I already know how capable you are, your majesty. But… I prefer wide, please? Pappardelle."

"Anything for you," Damien booped her nose with his floured finger. "Why don't you wash up? Food's ready in ten minutes." Since the pasta was fresh, it wouldn't take long for it to be cooked.

…

The couple enjoyed their dinner on the table as they talked about Bear's rapid growth. It had only been a few days since the puppy arrived and he had grown considerably bigger in such a short span of time. They debated about its name for a while but after several attempts, they decided to name him 'Bear' as he did resemble one because of its color and fluffiness.

"So… When were you going to tell me about what happened back at the boutique?" Damien changed the topic when he thought that Katherine didn't have plans on telling him. 

The bodyguards that he hired for her told him what happened as soon as Lexi appeared in the store. He ordered them to step in if things got out of hand. However, the bodyguards were left flustered upon hearing what transpired during their 'conversation'.

She pursed her lips as she brought her legs up the chair and hugged them. "There's nothing to say…"

Damien breathed out a sigh and picked up their plates, bringing them towards the sink and started washing them. Knowing Lexi, he was sure that she was going to retaliate soon. But how she was going to do it, he didn't know yet. He just hoped that whatever it was, he would be able to stop it in time. 

Knowing what was on his mind, Katherine followed him and wrapped her arms around his torso, her face pressed against his broad back. "Don't worry…"

"The last time… she almost killed you. If she hurts you again, Katherine… I might just—"

Damien was interrupted by the ringing of his phone. He turned around and placed a kiss on her head before picking up his phone. "Yes, Markus…"

Katherine saw his eyes widened before they darted towards her. He didn't say anything after ending the call and started tapping his phone screen.

"What's going on?" she asked, wondering what made his brows knit together in frustration.josei

"Lexi…" he muttered as he scrolled through his screen, seeing several posts about his 'scandalous affair' with his secretary with pictures of the two of them standing beside each other. Thankfully, there were no images of them beyond just walking or sitting together. However, with the way the articles described their relationship, it hurt Katherine's reputation more than his.

Katherine saw the articles on his phone and Damien clenched his jaw when he noticed her being so quiet. "I'm sorry," he said. "Are you okay?"

She handed the phone back to him, a small smile plastered on her face. "Honestly, I thought that I would be hurt… but I… I don't know… I don't have anything to say."

Damien ran a hand through his hair, exasperated at what's going on at the moment. He inched closer and pressed his lips to her forehead as he embraced her. 

"I'm going to fix this," he muttered with a sad look on his face and in return, Katherine gave him a wavering smile.