Beautifully Damaged

by Gina Sevani

  Anyway, that wasn't me. I knew I had walls a mile high, I didn't want anyone to get close, and I sure as hell didn't want to fall for someone, need someone just for them to hurt me in the near future. I knew a lot of things and I was wise enough to just accept them and move on. See, who in their right mind would be having this little battle in their own head when freaking hot ass Damon was right outside that door. No one!

  I HEARD MUSIC AS it played softly. From his room I couldn't make out who was singing. I rolled onto my stomach and glanced around his room for the first time. He had a massive king size bed with dark bedding. Not much of anything lined the walls. There was a chaise chair in the far corner by the window. Everything looked so expensive. I almost had to pry myself out of the bed to get dressed. He laid out a pair of cotton pajamas pants and a white T-shirt for me. I decided to wear my own clothes. My hair was a hot mess and luckily I had a hair tie so I threw my hair up in a messy bun. I desperately needed a toothbrush, but using his didn't seem right, so I opted for my finger.

  When I walked out of his bedroom, I followed the noise toward the kitchen. I was so scared before I didn't even get a chance to fully take him in. Damon had his back toward me; he wore a black shirt and black pajama bottoms that fit him perfectly. I could see his muscles outlined through his shirt. I watched his muscles flex as he moved around the kitchen. It had to be a sin to look that good even from behind. He pointed toward two pills, and bottled water. "Advil, that's for you."

  "Thank you."

  "How do you like your eggs?"

  "Scrambled, so you sing and cook? Talented man."

  Damon looked so deep into me. I never understood why I could feel so much with just one look from him, but I'll be damned if I didn't love it.

  "I have many talents Ariel. I'll show you any of them that you wish to see."

  Everything he said sounded so sexual, I knew exactly what he was referring to, and I for one did not doubt his ability to do a single thing.

  "Let me show you around real quick before we eat."

  He took my hand and we went from room to room. The house was immaculate, masculine, and very beautiful. There were four large bedrooms, two baths, and a fireplace in the living room. He had a spacious kitchen and a three-car garage. One of the back rooms was the largest and it contained all of his instruments. Most of the band's stuff too, it appeared. I wasn't sure how he could afford a house like this or why he needed such a large one anyway. At first I thought he might have lived with Sean or Travis but the rooms didn't appear to be occupied by anyone. One of them actually had some of Sadie's toys and clothes. That said a lot about what kind of brother and uncle he was. We made it back through the living room and I saw blankets and pillows neatly folded on the couch.

  "Why did you sleep on the couch when you have extra rooms, and why didn't you put me in one of those instead?"

  Damon looked nervous which was strange because he was so cool and calm all the time. He raised his hand and scratched his forehead. He took a second or so before answering.

  He shrugged. "Honestly I don't know why I put you in my bed, and then I wanted to be able to hear you if you needed me or if you woke up scared being in a strange place. I didn't want you to freak out. I just needed to be close to you."

  That was so beyond sweet and not what I expected at all for him to say. "Wow, that means a lot and just so you know, I don't make a habit of last night."

  "I know, and it's nothing. No need to thank me." He smiled. "I got a beautiful girl into my bed after all."

  "I'm sure you've had plenty." And the award went to me for ruining a perfectly good moment.

  "Actually, I haven't."

  He set a plate of bacon, eggs, waffle, and toast in front of me. No way could I eat all of that. It smelled delicious though. The room was silent as we ate. I didn't know what to say but all of a sudden he looked a little uncomfortable.

  "Thanks for making me breakfast, it's delicious."

  "You're welcome. Sorry I'm being weird it's just a first for me."

  "A first, eating with someone?"

  He shook his head. "No… making breakfast for someone."

  "Really…? That's hard to believe."

  "Yeah well I've never had another girl stay over before."

  "WHAT, like overnight? You're telling me no female has every spent the night with you?"

  He stared down toward his hands in his lap. I think what I saw was Damon actually somewhat embarrassed.

  "You're so full of shit. That's a lie," I said.

  He wiped his mouth on his napkin. "My sister and Sadie have, but she normally cooks the breakfast on those rare occasions she graces me with her presence."

  My face must have said it all, I didn't believe him. It just didn't make sense.

  "No I'm serious. I've never wanted a woman to stay and I sure as hell haven't cooked them breakfast."

  Hearing those words, I should probably think that was a pretty horrible thing but I couldn't help but like the fact I was his first at something.

  "Sooo… never mind, it's not my business." I stuffed my face a little more to keep myself quiet.

  "You can ask me anything. It seems I'm open to telling you pretty much all my secrets." Damon laughed.

  Woman up, Ariel.

  "I know you're not innocent, hell, I've watched you leave with several women." He winced as a hurtful look flashed across his face, but what I said was the truth.

  "So where do you sleep with them… or whatever you wanna call it?" I hid my face in embarrassment as the words came out of my mouth.

  "Are we really going to discuss this?"

  "If you don't want to that's fine. I was just curious."

  "Fine, but first let's clear up something. Your wording, you made it sound like I still leave with different girls. I haven't in months. I don't want them. Want… is a strong word. If I'm completely honest I don't think I ever wanted them."

  Damon threw his napkin over his plate and the sudden silence caused me to look up at him. He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his muscular chest. My eyes searched for his, and once they made their mark, I couldn't look away.

  "Their place or my couch. Then I leave as fast as I can or get them to leave. Anything else you would like to know about the topic? Oh, and before you start thinking how much of a dick I am, they know the score and they know I'm not after anything serious WITH THEM." Damon made sure his voice rang louder as he got the point across. He stressed the last two words very clearly. He was pissed, and I couldn't really pinpoint why. Hadn't he brought the topic up, anyway?

  I couldn't help falling for Damon, and I knew without a shadow of a doubt he cared deeply for me. The only thing I was concerned about is the lifestyle he was used to with different women and now only having one. I was scared he would grow bored. I was damn good at reading people. I hoped like hell I was right, I guessed it didn't matter what I felt in my heart. Once he knew everything, it would all be over anyway. We sat at opposite ends of the kitchen table and just stared at each other. Both of us were finished with our meals and he was patiently waiting on me to say something. I broke the silence by standing and reaching for his plate.

  "I'll wash the dishes since you cooked."

  I quickly loaded the sink, he had a dishwasher, but I never liked the damn things. If I had to clean them before and then clean them after because they left a spot, I might as well clean them myself.

  Damon came up and stood close to me. "You don't have to do that I have a dishwasher."

  "I want to, I don't like dishwashers. Sorry, I'm old school."

  He just smiled. "Okay, do what you want then."

  I looked over my shoulder at him. He was so sexy and a little intimidating.

  "I will," I said.

  Damon got closer; he placed his hands on mine and pressed the front of his body against my back. I could feel him everywhere but his body was barely touching mine.

  "Yeah well what do you want to do now?" Damon whispered seductiv
ely.

  I had to turn things around; I couldn't take it there with him no matter what my stupid body wanted. Now wasn't the time, he needed to know who I was first.

  "What I want to do now is wash your dishes Damon." I smirked up at him.

  He cupped a handful of soapy water and rubbed it down the side of my face.

  "Smart ass," he said.

  "I know you just didn't, Damon." I reached for the sprayer and he backed up.

  "Don't you dare, Ariel," he warned.

  "Dare? Did you just dare me? Really?"

  Damon broadened his stance and crossed his arms over his chest in a bad ass way. I gazed unashamed at all of him. He was in great shape.

  "You won't do it."

  "You don't know me very well, besides you started it."

  "Yeah I did, and I plan on finishing it. And if you do decide to wet me, I promise you I will spank that beautiful ass of yours."

  I arched my eyebrows at him. "Promise…? I might like it!"

  We were both grinning fools.

  "Promise," Damon said sternly and then licked his lips.

  "Good."

  His eyes went wide from my response and before he had a chance to respond, I sprayed all over the front of his clothes. Damon was on me so fast but I managed to turn around and shut the water off before he could spray me back. I kept a death grip on it. His hair, face, and the entire front of his shirt were soaked. I giggled uncontrollably. My entire back was pressed to his wet shirt. He had one hand on my hip and his grip was tight. The other clasped my chin and turned my face toward him.

  "You don't play fair," he whispered.

  "All's fair in love and war."

  "Which one is this, Ariel? Love or war?"

  All I could focus on were his sexy lips, and all I could think about was how desperately I wanted to feel them again.

  "Both," I said. I gazed up into his eyes.

  "Kiss me, Ariel," he said softly.

  Damon was so freaking hot. How had I gotten so lucky?

  Apparently I took too long gazing up at him, and he'd had enough. He pressed his lips against mine passionately. He kissed me like he had an eternity to do just that. It was sweet and so slow. I tried to turn around, but he just pushed me against the sink a little harder. Damon's excitement was pressed against me and I couldn't help but to push back against him even more. His thin pants hid nothing. Needing more, I reached up behind his head and brought his mouth down even closer to me than before. His body was so strong, defined, and warm. I loved feeling it against me. Damon sucked my top lip into his mouth and I bit into his bottom. He moaned, turned me around, and lifted me up so I sat on the kitchen island. His body immediately filled the empty space between my legs. He gripped me around my knees and jerked me toward the edge of the island where our bodies could be aligned perfectly. This kiss was deeper, faster, like he was determined to take a piece of my soul with his mouth alone.

  Using his lips and tongue, he wandered slowly along my jaw and found his way beneath my ear. "You're killing me. What the hell are you doing to me?" he whispered against my neck.

  I never had that much experience sexually, but I knew hands down that kissing Damon would be better than kissing any other man in the world. He'd ruined me for anyone else. We broke apart, only because we actually needed oxygen. I smiled into his chest.

  "That was amazing," he said.

  "Amazing huh? I thought it was okay, I guess."

  "Hmmm, well from the heat coming off you I would say it was more than okay."

  Damon's large hands gripped my hips tighter as he picked me up.

  "Ariel, please don't be mad at me, but I think you need to cool off a little bit, baby."

  I suddenly found myself surrounded by warm water. He'd sat me in the damn sink! The sink… the freaking sink!

  Asswipe, how did he even know the water wasn't hot? Shocked, I could only stare at him, speechless. I couldn't believe he had done that. He ran off, taunting me the entire time, from a safe distance. With extreme effort, I eventually hauled myself out of the sink. I heard the shower running.

  Had he really just left me hanging like that? I went into his bedroom and he was leaning against the master bathroom door, just patiently waiting on me to appear.

  "So are you going to punish me now?" He raised his eyebrows. Damon took his time getting his fill of me. The way he was looking at my entire body sent my temperature and hormones flying.

  "Slowly but surely, maybe when you least expect it," I said.

  I dripped water on his floor, and he didn't seem to mind at all.

  "I think I would have preferred the spanking instead of my ass soaked in water." I glared at him.

  Damon sucked on his bottom lip and uncrossed his arms to push his hands deep inside his pockets. "Spanking comes later." He winked.

  A little tingle sparked all over my body.

  "I'm wet, no, I'm soaked Damon. I can't believe you did that to me."

  He strutted slowly toward me, his eyes never left mine. Damn he was sexy. "Mmmm, come on, Ariel, tell the truth."

  What?

  Damon brushed my hair out of my eyes and ran his fingertips down the side of my neck. "You may be soaked now but we both know you were wet before I even put you in that water, sweetheart."

  My mouth dropped opened, and my knees actually buckled.

  Damon simply smiled. I narrowed my eyes and tried to think of a comeback, but it was impossible. He was right… again. I wasn't sure which I wanted to do more. Scream at the top of my lungs that he was a bastard or rip the clothes straight off his body. Maybe both.

  "You can wear anything you want of mine and I can throw your stuff in the wash, if you want." Damon pulled me toward the bathroom. "Shower's waiting."

  "Is this your way of making sure you have more time with me?"

  "Maybe… maybe not. Now get your fine ass in the shower unless I need to throw you in there as well, but please don't make me because a man can only show so much restraint." He shook his head. "I don't know exactly how much control I have left with you."

  I walked into the bathroom to find the steam from the shower had already fogged up the mirrors. Damon leaned against the bathroom door again just watching me. I still owed him for what he done to me and I had the perfect idea.

  "So, is it a bad idea for us to shower together?" I teased.

  He inhaled sharply. "MINX!"

  Where I got the courage from, I had no clue, but I was ready for the next level with him. Something took over my mind and body and the only thought I could contemplate was that I wanted him. I was tired of waiting. I reached for the button of my jeans and undid them. I slid them over my hips as seductively as I knew how. When I risked another glance toward Damon his hand white-knuckled the doorknob. I could see the want and desire in his eyes. I watched as he swallowed hard, not once but twice. His body was taut and his eyes glued to my face. Not once did he look down toward my body.

  What the hell kind of control did he have? That was impossible. I slowly removed my shirt and let pool on the floor from my fingertips. I was standing before him in only my black lace bra and panties. He worked his chiseled jawline back and forth. Good, his control was slipping. The little scar under his left eye ticked, giving him away. It was that exact moment I saw him break and his eyes cast downward. The same time he took a long step toward me but he quickly backtracked and gripped the door frame above his head in a vise grip.

  All or nothing.

  Damon held my gaze; he then looked down and licked his lips as his eyes narrowed in on my hips. I wanted him to lose control, I needed him too. I wasn't the innocent girl he thought he was going to break.

  I reached behind my back to unclasp my bra.

  "Ariel! Jesus, stop!" Damon harshly whispered as he strode across the room toward me.

  Finally!

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  "IT'S JUST A SHOWER, DAMON."

  He shook his head. "It won't be just a shower."

  "Show me." />
  "You don't know what you're asking." He cussed under his breath.

  "I'm pretty sure I do."

  "I won't be able to keep my hands off of you."

  "I think I can handle it," I said.

  "What else can you handle, Ariel?" He stepped toward me.

  I reached around my back for my bra clasp once more and Damon quickly spun me around to where I faced the mirror. We couldn't see a thing through it because of the fog caused by the steam. The tip of his finger ran all the way down my spine. My body quivered in response. He rested his strong hand, opened wide, on the center of my back, and then massaged up toward my neck and squeezed there. It felt so good having his hands on my bare skin. Before I even realize his hand was gone, my bra had been unsnapped, and it was barely hanging on to my shoulders. Damon massaged my back from right above my butt all the way up toward my neck. I moaned and tried to lean back into his touch. My head rolled toward the side to give him better access and he took full advantage. He placed his lips along my shoulder and kissed upward until he reached behind my ear.

  "Mmmm," I moaned.

  Slowly, slowly, he slid my bra off my shoulder down past my fingertips. He bent down behind me and placed his hands, one upon each of my hips as he gently urged me to turn around for him.

  "I didn't know you had a tattoo." His fingertips caressed the quote on my ribs; it started right below where my bra would be.

  "Everyone sees who I appear to be, but only a few know the real me. You can only see what I choose to show, and there's so much behind this smile you don't even know." He read the quote softly as his fingers went along with every word he read. I was worried he might not get it or understand why I had it done, why it meant so much to me.

  "It's beautiful, Ariel." Damon looked up at me and held my gaze as he placed a kiss on my tattoo.

  He was such a beautiful sight; he could literally take my breath away.

  I thought I would be extremely nervous but I wasn't, kind of shocking for me to accept that I was so comfortable around him. The nerves were there, but they weren't overpowering everything else I felt. I continued to stare down at him and ran my fingers through his hair. Damon's eyelashes were so long, thick, and beautiful. Everything about him was beautiful.