For the rest of the drive, I stare out the window and watch the scenery whizzing by while I try to remember the person I was this morning. Damon doesn’t say anything else after I tell him I’m okay, and I’m thankful.
We pull up to the Rossi mansion, and I take a deep breath before opening my door at the same time Damon does. We both get out of the car, and Damon grabs the suitcase from the back. My feet feel heavy as I trudge up the stairs, my hand in his. It isn’t until we’re halfway to the front door that I notice Xander standing at the top, waiting for us just like he did last time. He looks like the king. Like he owns the whole fucking world.
“Little brother, I wasn’t expecting you today. I thought we agreed on tomorrow,” Xander calls out in a cheerful voice. He gives me a smile, showing off his straight white teeth.
I blink, my gaze swinging to Damon’s, wondering why Xander was expecting us tomorrow. I know right away there’s something he isn’t telling me, and I don’t like it. Not at all. Damon gives his brother a heated glare, looking as if he’s about to break someone’s neck again.
“Let’s get inside and have a drink before we talk about anything.” Damon sounds irritated, and his tone confirms my hunch that there is something going on I don’t know about.
“Be my guest.” Xander gestures for us to enter.
Damon’s hand tightens in mine, and he pulls me over the threshold and into the house.
Did I mention I hate being here?
We walk into the dining room, and my eyes move to the table where we had dinner, then out over the patio and garden.
“We should really discuss this in my office.” Xander’s eyes bore into mine. “Alone.”
I want to smack the stupid right out of him. If he thinks I’m giving them privacy than he’s dumber than I thought.
“She goes with me. Someone just fucking shot at her, and I had to kill the bitch, so I don’t really care what you have to say about it, Xander.”
“Fine. I see you are in a foul mood. Maybe you should just call it a night and we’ll talk tomorrow when you are more…settled.” Xander gives us a wicked smile and steps aside for us to pass.
“You’re right. Let’s go get some rest. We’ll deal with this tomorrow.” Damon tugs me past Xander and up the staircase. I don’t complain. Lying down in a bed right now sounds amazing—especially when Damon is going to be lying next to me.
I practically sprint up the stairs. I’m more than eager to get away from Xander, ready to lock myself in the bedroom with Damon. As soon as we enter, the lights filter on and he closes the door, flicking the lock into place. I highly doubt that lock would stop his brother from coming in, but I guess it’s the thought that counts.
“I’m sorry.” Remorse, maybe even guilt, coats Damon’s words. It doesn’t sound right—the word“sorry”falling from his lips. I get the feeling he doesn’t say it often…if at all.
“Why? You don’t have anything to be sorry for,” I say, turning around to face him once my ass hits the bed. He releases the suitcase, and it falls to the floor with a thud. Then he’s on me, crossing the space between us in a second.
“I’m sorry because I brought you into this shit world. You could’ve left—hell, you should’ve, but you stayed. And after tonight, after how close I came to losing you...it’s killing me I might have lost you.”
“Damon, you didn’t bring me into this, my brother did.” The words pain me, but that doesn't make them any less true. I know Leo was trying to support me, and that makes my guilt even worse, but in the end, it was Leo who got caught up in this. He could have found another way. We could have found another way together.
“My brother is the one who started this with whatever he did or didn’t do for Xander. He got himself killed and left me to deal with his mess. You took me in when you didn’t have to—you take care of me and protect me. So don’t tell me sorry for doing what you do, when I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
There is so much more I want to tell him, but it doesn't seem like there are enough minutes in the day. I want to profess all the emotions coursing through me right now to him. I want to make sure he does not have an inkling of doubt in his mind about us. I want to tell him I’d kill for him too, and I couldn’t imagine myworld without him now. Damon is no longer just my protector. He’s my soon-to-be husband—my everything. I want to tell him all that and more, but I can’t, because his lips are pressed to mine in an all-consuming kiss.
I feel every single emotion in that kiss—adoration, lust, desire, safety. I feel it all. His tongue pushes into my mouth, and all I can think of is his tongue all over my body—on my neck, my breasts, my stomach, trailing all the way down to my pussy. My muscles clench around nothing but air, and I wish it was his tongue dipping inside me.
I moan into his mouth and grab onto his shirt. I fist the material in my hands, desperately wanting it off. He breaks the kiss long enough to give me a panty-melting smile before ripping my shirt off.
I hear material rip, but I don’t care. Everything separating our bodies from becoming one is an inconvenience.
Slamming his lips back onto mine, our teeth clash. My arms snake around his neck, pulling him closer.
I need him closer…so much closer.
I feel his fingers unfasten my bra, and I help him get it off. With a gentle nudge backward, I’m lying on the bed as he peels off my yoga pants, then tosses the remnants to the floor.
I watch him start to take off his own pants, biting my lip when his huge cock finally springs free.
My body is restless. My thighs keep rubbing together in anticipation, and I can feel how wet I already am…just from kissing. I want more of him—his fingers, his mouth, his cock. I want him to own me and worship me—all at the same time.
“I want you, Damon,” I purr, reaching for him.
