“I'll have the same please.” I watch her walk away to put in our order. Turning back to Damon, he's still smiling. “I guess we have more in common than I thought. I eat my burger the same way as you. So how was work today? Lucas mentioned something about you doing graphic design stuff on the side. What exactly do you do?”
“Well, I've always liked designing stuff and drawing, so I took my love for both and started doing logos and stuff for the business. I've done a few things for Rhylie for the cafe as well when her promotional stuff didn't come in. Now I do all the stuff for the cafe when she needs it. I just started getting into doing book covers for authors but those take a while to get done. Which reminds me, I have to finish one tonight when I get home. It's nothing too elaborate but I'd like to finish and send it off to get the final approval.” I realize I'm rambling. He probably only asked to be nice. I look down, not wanting him to look into my eyes at the embarrassment that I'm feeling right now. Sometimes I can get a little excited when talking about my work.
“Skylar, look at me.” Slowly lifting my face, I look into his eyes. With a soft smile he says
“Never hide from me. I'm always interested in the things you do. If you're that passionate about what you do then I want to hear about it. If it's something you hate, I wanna know. I want to get to know you and I'm not just talking on a friend level either. I'm tired of watching you from afar, you are mine and always will be. I like you baby. Hell, If I'm being honest here, I more than like you and I'm tired of hiding my feelings.”
A tear slowly slides down my face. Never in a million years did I expect to hear those words from Damon. Honestly, I never thought I would hear them from anyone. It was everything I could ever imagine. He called me his and I can't even stop the smile from spreading across my face. The server brings our food over at that moment.
“Here you go. Let me know if you need anything else.”
My stomach is in knots right now. I know if I don't say something now, I will chicken out later. Scrounging up all my courage, I look him deep in his eyes and tell him how I feel.
“I want to be yours. I more than like you too, Damon. I've never belonged to anyone before, so this is new to me. I just don't know what you expect from me. I've never...” My face goes red at that because the implications are clear. I'm a virgin and I've never done anything with anyone before.
“Hey, no need to be embarrassed. I love the fact I'll be your first and last in all things. We have all the time in the world and we go at your pace. Just think of this as our first date. I know it's nothing fancy like you deserve.”
Grabbing his hand which surprises the both of us, I tell him: “No, this is perfect. I don't need fancy. I just, please don't break my heart. I don't think I could handle it if you did. I've had enough of that in my life already.” I didn't mean to say that last part but it's out there already and I can't take it back. I can see a million questions in his eyes.
“I won't ask what happened right now to put that look into your eyes. I'm a patient man. You can tell me when you're ready. Just tell me this... do I have to kill someone?” He's got his hands clenched on the table with a pissed-off look on his face.
With my eyes bugging out, I sputter “What? No Damon. You can't go around killing anyone.” lowering my voice so people don't hear. ‘I'll tell you but not here and please not today. It's not a good story and I'd rather not do it here.”
“Okay sweetheart, let's just eat before it gets cold. I won't push tonight but you will be telling me eventually.”
I heard the eventually loud and clear. Blowing out a breath of relief, I dig into my food. Every so often I look up and notice Damon watching me and it's not in a creepy way. Every time he catches my eyes, he smiles and it’s one full of happiness. I surprised myself tonight by telling him how I feel. I just don't want this chance to pass me by because if it did, I would regret it for the rest of my life. It's time I started living for myself by taking the chances I want in life and not living in fear of being rejected and made to feel like I don't belong. Pushing my plate away, I sit back feeling so full.
“You have enough to eat Skylar?”
“Yes, thank you. I don't think I could eat another bite. This was my first meal of the day. After taste testing for Isabella all day I had no room for lunch. Her stuff is amazing. I just can't help myself. I think I even went up a pant size since she started working there. I can't bake anything the one time I tried, I burnt it.”
“Ya her stuff is really good. I've had to do some extra running. Every time Lucas picks up our coffee he brings back stuff and I can't help myself. I've never tried baking but I'm known to grill a mean steak. You'll just have to come over to judge for yourself.” He gives me a wink and I'm so ready to tell him let’s go. But I know he wasn't talking right now.
“Are you ready to head out? I know you said you have some stuff to finish tonight and it's getting late already.”
“Ya, it's going to be another long night of finishing up my work. It's a good thing I have tomorrow off so I can just rest up.” Damon holds out his hand and helps me out of the booth and walks towards the register so he can pay the bill. The whole time he has yet to let me go. Just this little touch brings butterflies to my stomach. Kissing the back of my hand with his warm lips, we walk outside to his truck. I wonder why he doesn't have his bike today. “How come you're not riding your bike today? I think it's the first time I've seen you without it” He picks me up yet again helping me in.
“Ya it wouldn't start this morning so I brought it into the shop to have a look at it. For now I'm stuck driving my truck until a part comes in. When it's running again, will you come for a ride with me?”
Biting my lip, I think about it for a second even though I think they are scary. I want to know what it feels like to be free. Giving him a smile I tell him “Ya, I would love to go on a ride with you.” He leans over, kisses me on the forehead and closes my door. I watch him walk around the truck. The way his body moves is like he's always aware of his surroundings. He's so dark and brooding. At 6’4 with tattoos covering both arms, dark brown hair, and the darkest brown eyes I've ever seen. They almost look black. Compared to my 5’4 height with my red hair and green eyes, we are like night and day compared to each other. My curves to his toned body. He likes to run and I like to run to the coffee machine. We are total opposites but I guess what they say is true, opposites attract. I won't question it. I'm just going to live in the moment and see where it takes us. Damon starts the truck and heads for home. I'm left debating if I should invite him in at least for a coffee. Gnawing on my lip, trying to find the courage to ask if he wants to. He interrupts my musing with a question of his own.
“What's got you thinking so hard over there?”
“I was just thinking if you wanted to come up for a coffee. You don't have to. I mean if you're too busy, you can just drop me out front.”
“Skylar, I would love to come up and have coffee with you. Any extra time I get to spend with you, I'll take. I'll never say no to that.”
He pulls into my parking lot of the building and right out front there is a drug deal going on. God, what I wouldn't give to get out of this place. What Damon must think of this. Taking a peek out of the corner of my eye, I see he has a dark look crossing his face.
“Wait till I get to your door before getting out.” He jumps out and slams the door, scaring the young guys who scramble away. I laugh under my breath at the look on the kids' faces. It was hilarious. Damon just stood there with that intimidating look. Opening my door, he helps me down. Pulling out my keys, we walk inside and towards the stairs. Thank God I only live on the second floor otherwise this would be a pain in the ass to take every day. I can feel Damon at my back. He’s walking close as if something is going to happen and with what happened out front, I don’t blame him. Walking towards my door, I realize it's slightly open. I know that I locked it this morning. Stopping right in front of it, I go to push the door open. Before I can, Damon stops me.
“Let me check it out. I want you to take out your phone and have 911 up and if anything happens I want you to call and run as fast as you can.” He whispers in my ear.
Nodding my head because I'm too scared to say anything I grab the back of his shirt with shaking hands and that's when I feel his gun. He grabs it from the back holster and slowly pushes my door in. Walking inside what I see almost brings me to my knees. My whole apartment is trashed and everything is ruined. I let go of Damon’s shirt as he checks the rest of my apartment. Walking over to my table I realize my laptop and tv were stolen. I can't believe it's gone now. What am I going to do for work? I'll lose the clients that I have. I'm vaguely aware of Damon on the phone probably talking to the police. I don't have many things and it's not of value since it's all second hand but I worked damn hard to get those things and now it's all gone. I feel strong arms wrap around me and I let the tears fall, my whole body shaking with my sobs. I'm turned around in Damon’s arms as he holds me while I fall apart. What started as a good day turned to shit.
“Shh sweetheart it's going to be all okay, the police are on the way and once they are done, we are getting out of here you won't be staying here anymore. Can you tell if anything is stolen?”
“They stole my laptop Damon, what am I going to do now? All my work was on it. I can't afford a new one but I also can't afford to lose my clients.” pulling out of his arms I wipe my face and turn away from him, “Maybe you should go, I'm sure I can handle the police myself.” I can hear him growling and grinding his teeth. He spins me around grabbing my face so I'm looking into his eyes and can’t hide.
