No Longer Alone

Chapter Thirty-Eight

***Damian's POV*** 

    Waking up this morning, I hadn't wanted to get out of bed but I knew I didn't have much of a choice, Nicole was still sleeping, snoring softly which almost made me chuckle.  She was tucked up against me, sleeping on her side with her a peaceful, open look on her face that was almost never there awake.  Seeing her in my shirt, I had barely been able to withstand the temptation to pull her in my arms and kiss her senseless.

    I finally got out of bed, hoping that I could shower and get dressed before my mother got it in her head to show up, dragging my father with her.  It wasn't a question of if she would show up, but when.   I headed straight to the bathroom to shower, thinking of the scent that Nicole seemed to always have following her, a hint of vanilla, amber, and something floral, but not overly sweet or overpowering.  It was overall a rather sensual, warm aroma, grounded, and homey at the same time.  I finished showering, and was drying off when I realized I hadn't brought clothing in with me, well, no choice for it since I can't stay in here all day.  

    Walking out of the bathroom, Nicole was sitting up in bed, her hands over her face, and her hair tousled around her face and shoulders, part of me itched to run my fingers through her hair, it was wild and beautiful, matching a side of her I only barely had glimpsed.  I didn't want to come across as desperate, so I just walked to the dresser drying my hair and trying not to disturb her, though part of me wanted to see if she was at least attracted to some part of me, I'd take anything I could work with at this moment.  As I rummaged in the drawer for what I wanted to wear, movement in the mirror above the dresser caught my attention.  Nicole was looking alright, and from the heat in that look, she evidently liked something she saw.

   "I'm not used to bringing clothing into the shower, but if you give me a few, I'll be out so you can take care of whatever you need.  There's a spare toothbrush, but I'm afraid there is only my brush in there if you want to use it."  

    I walked back to the bathroom, feeling pretty damn good at the moment.  While I am not usually too concerned with my looks, I admit, at that moment I was glad that I do enjoy physical work outs and staying in decent shape.  I finished dressing and headed back out, fighting back a groan as Nicole was bent over the bed making it, my shirt riding high enough to get a glimpse of the underwear she was wearing.  As my pants got uncomfortable I focused on thinking of anything else I could to distract myself, and ended up getting another shirt out for her to wear.  I doubt she'd want to wear her shirt from yesterday, and the one she was wearing now was slightly wrinkled from sleeping in. 

   " We really didn't give you a chance to get any of your own clothing, and while you many need to wear your pants from yesterday, I can at least offer you a shirt to change into."  With that I hand her the shirt, accepting her thanks with a nod, and head out of the room.

    Alex is on the phone, pacing, and I head to the coffee pot that was provided with the room, making a pot of coffee.  Glancing over I see Alex looking slightly exasperated and mouthing the words 'your mother' at me.  I smirk at him, seeing as I had shut my phone off while I was keeping them out of trouble the night before and had not wanted to answer anymore questions at the moment.  I could hear my mom going off, and as soon as I could I grabbed two cups of coffee and brought them to the couch, setting one beside me I took a sip, watching as Alex tried to get a word in.

    "Val I know-"  He stopped, sighed, "sorry mom, but I-"  

    This continued for a bit, and all I could do was sit back with amusement watching as Alex continued to struggle in vain to get a word in.  They were both talkers, and the problem with two talkers is that they hadn't learned the lesson that my father and I had.  When someone is a talker, you simply wait until they are done in silence, it will bother them, and they will feel the need to pause and get a reaction, then you take over.  While this was happening I heard the door to my room opening, and saw Nicole walking into the room, her hair still wet and looking a bit wild still.  Was using my brush too personal, or did I not leave it out?

   "Yes I understand you are concerned after last -"  Alex stopped talking, running a hand through his hair, "Well why didn't you -" silence from Alex again "He isn't asleep now!"  Alex turned and saw Nicole, quickly motioning her to stay quiet.  "What, of course I am listening to you, I wouldn't dare do otherwise."       

     "There's some cream and sugar if you want some."  Handing her the second cup of coffee, I had remembered that Rose said she loves coffee, but not how she takes it.  Nicole's eyes fastened on the coffee and the look of gratitude she gave me made me smile.

  "No, please don't....Val please give-" Alex cut off looking at his phone, shaking his head, and running a hand through his hair again.  "So Damian...I tried to stop her, I really did, but -"  Alex was cut off by a knock on the main door to the suite.  Evidently I wasn't quiet enough.  I headed to the door, wishing I could have had a little more time with her before this.

    Opening the door I knew I wasn't going to win this round but I had to try.  My father was one of the best business minds I had ever met, and he could count on one hand the number of times he won anything against my mom.

    "Mornin' Mom, Dad.  No chance in delaying this a little?"  I said as softly as I could lookin at my parents

    "You've had enough time!  I rather liked her and want to talk to her myself, and so does your father!"  I was a bit startled at this, they had barely met her, so why were they so determined...unless...he better not have.

    "Mom, I'm not going to stop you and dad, I was just going to say give her a moment.  She hasn't even been up long enough to finish a cup of coffee."  I tried to stall, but my mother just brushed past me, and my father gave me a sympathetic pat on the shoulder as we turned to follow her.

    My mom just strode into the room, walked right up to Nicole and hugged her.  The look of absolute confusion on Nicole's face before she hugged my mom back with one arm was priceless.  I don't think she saw Alex taking a picture, while I pondered what I would have to bribe him with to get a copy.