Chapter 20 Lila " Damon ! " 1 froze , gripping the thin towel wrapped around me as his imposing figure filled the doorway . His sharp eyes locked onto me , and for a split second , I forgot to breathe . " Sorry , I meant ' Your Highness ' … you , uh , you surprised me . " The air between us grew thick and heavy . Damon didn't move , but his gaze alone sent shivers down my spine . His eyes flicked over my bare shoulders , then down to my towel - clad body . His expression darkened . " My clothes , " I started , my voice unsteady with nerves , " someone took them . " Damon's jaw tightened . A muscle ticked in his cheek , but he said nothing . A cold draft swept through the room , prickling against my damp skin . Instinctively , I huddled into myself , my fingers clutching the edges of the towel . Damon ' 5 eyes narrowed slightly before he let out a slow , almost exasperated breath . Then , without hesitation , he reached for the hem of his shirt and tugged it over his head . I forgot how to speak . Every flex and ripple of his muscles was bare in front of me , the broad expanse of his chest illuminated by the dim palace lights . My breath hitched . He was perfect ; every sculpted inch of him exuding raw power . Heat crawled up my neck . " Put this this on , " he said , his voice rough and firm as he handed me the warm fabric . I hesitated , still stuck on the fact that Damon had just stripped in front of me like it was nothing . Then I realized I was standing in nothing but a towel , and my fingers moved on their own , quickly accepting the garment . The fabric was soft and carried his delicious scent , exactly as I remembered it . My pulse fluttered as I turned away and hurried back into the bathroom to change . His shirt was huge on me . The hem fell mid - thigh , the sleeves too long , swallowing my hands . I tugged at the neckline , but there was no fixing the way it draped over me , the scent of him clinging to my skin . I took a steadying breath before stepping out . Damon was still there , standing with his arms crossed over his chest . His gaze swept over me the moment I emerged , and something in his expression shifted His eyes darkened to a stormy shade and I felt the heat of his stare like a brand against my bare legs . My breath stuttered . " I , um … I need to go back now , " I muttered hastily . Damon's head tilted slightly , his lips curling up into the hint of a smirk . Then , before I could take a step , he reached out . Two fingers tilted my chin up , forcing me to meet his gaze . Much like the first time , but gentler . " It's not curfew yet , " he murmured . My pulse hammered against my ribs . +15 Bonus " It doesn't matter , " I whispered , resisting the urge to pull away . " This whole situation was a stupid prank . Someone - " I gestured vaguely at my missing clothes , " - took my clothes on purpose . " Damon's expression darkened further . His fingers grazed along my jaw as they left my chin . " I'll find out who did it , " he said simply . I frowned . " It's not that serious . " " It is . " His voice was calm , but there was an edge to it . Something about the way he said it my teeth on edge . He would look into this , but not the hair pin incident ? Once again , my mouth spoke before my mind could shut it down . " The first time we met , " I muttered , " when I ran into you , you got angry too . " because of the pin in my hair . But that was a set up Damon's brow furrowed , his gaze locking onto mine . For a moment , neither of us spoke . Then , to my surprise , his expression shifted - just slightly . He seemed to consider something before nodding , as if confirming a silent decision . " I'll investigate both , " he said " I won't allow anyone in my palace to play these kinds of games . "