Chapter 11
1643 Words
Danny POV
Present time -
I am exasperated by the longing I felt for Xavier; I lean back on the post beside me.
Biting my thumb, I looked ahead and saw a figure in the distance. I stood up quickly, frightened. I held on to the porch pole beside me for balance as my foot was still in a cast.
“Lexie, it's me, Dameon.” He stepped into the light as he saw my frightened expression.
“Whoa, careful now. Don’t go jumping up. You hardly have your balance back,” he teased. He was only a few feet away from the porch where I was standing.
My eyes grew wider seeing Dameon shirtless.
His muscles were in all the right places. He looked like a God with His perfectly chiseled abs. His jogging pants are resting ever so low on his hips. Matched with him breathing heavily, his chest muscles tense with each breath.
I had to look away before I gawked at him. I point to his bare chest with a confused expression on my face.
My cheeks must have turned red as I felt a wave of warmth engulf me.
I’ve seen Dameon before shirtless when he and Xavier would play ball in school countless times before them, but we were kids then.
I already thought that Dameon and Xavier were hot for teenagers in high school. “Too hot for high school” is what the girls in high school used to call them.
All the girls would happily dump their boyfriends to date them if they could only see Dameon now.
Seeing him now, though, was a whole different story. He was not the young boy I once knew.
And I was no longer the dimwitted little girl back then. I can tell he is hot, boiling. Suddenly I no longer felt cold.
“I was out running.” Thankfully he didn’t notice me blushing. Either that or he was being polite, I was hoping for the latter.
“What are you doing out here in the cold on your own, Alexandra? “Lexie” Matthews?” he got up to the steps and stood too close.
“ Black, “ I mouth, as that was Xavier’s last name. And STILL, note that I was still carrying his name on the still, being his wife. Alexandra Matthews Black. I loved having Xavier’s name; how wonderful to belong to him.
Refusing to reminisce about Xavier, I look up to Dameon, who had a mischievous grin.
Arching his eyebrow as he took a step towards me. “Soon to be no more,” he smirked.
I stepped back as he took another step forward, causing me to lose my balance again. I close my eyes out of reflex, preparing to hit the ground.
Dameon’s arms wrap around my upper back, pulling me towards his chest. Sparks immediately erupted when his hands touched me.
My knees just got weaker.
When I opened my eyes, his Golden brown orbs were staring at me. I must have turned red as he starts laughing.
“You are one clumsy lady.”
I remembered earlier this afternoon when I almost tripped. I jab my elbow to his ribs in jest.
I don't believe that it’s my fault I have a broken leg. If only you drove better!
I thought as I started laughing at my comeback, reminding myself to write this in my notebook to tell him in person when I got my voice back.
Shaking my head, I smile.
“I prefer Mrs. “ emphasizing on the Mrs. “ ..Mrs. Hale,” he continues,
The thought consumed me, Alexandra Mathews Hale, Dameon’s last name.
Ahh, I need to get a grip.
Still hugging me, our laughter quickly died as we stood staring at each other.
“Either that or I just make your knees weak,” he winks at me.
I roll my eyes in response.
He changes his tone. “Seriously, Lexie, why are you out here early in the morning? You should have texted me to come if you couldn’t sleep. You know I wouldn’t mind….” He looks at me sheepishly. “Well, I could sleep over if you like…” he grinned.
I groan at his attempts to flirt. Even thou it was slightly working. I lie; it was a whole lot worked as butterflies flutter in my stomach.
“I mean, I could sleep on the couch.” He smiles, “Unless you want me to sleep beside you?”
I shook my head. I mouth “seriously” while blushing. I must have been red up to my ears.
The thought of Dameon beside me in bed ignites a need inside me that was getting harder to control.
Breathe, I remind myself, breath. Try to remember everything you just said a while ago.
The reason you are here, Xavier.
My Futile attempt to stop my heart from skipping faster as Dameon’s embrace brought our bodies closer. I could feel the heat radiate off his shirtless chest.
With his bare chest so close to mine. I caught myself leaning into his embrace.
I wanted him to embrace me; there was no denying that.
I want him more than I care to admit. How long could I deny myself?
I shivered as I thought of wanting him.
“See told you you’ll get cold” he lifts me with ease and carries me into the house. I tried to pretend to protest, but I secretly loved the proximity.
He kicks the front door close with his foot. He walks through the house with ease. My heart is leaping out of my chest. I try to control my breathing. Too scared of having him so close to me.
After our kiss the other day, I’ve found it harder to hide my feelings for him. I wanted him next to me.
I needed him near me.
But I’m scared I’m dragging him into the mess of my life.
It was a long overdue kiss. It left us flushed and breathing hard, shamelessly looking into each other’s eyes. If not for Dameon’s arms still around my waist, supporting my weight, I would have lost my balance then.
I needed him to know how much I felt for him, but I am still legally married to Xavier.
Just a second ago, I was longing for my husband’s touch.
I can’t drag him into my screwed-up marriage.
Confusion and regret fill my eyes.
Did I ruin my friendship with Dameon by allowing myself to kiss him?
The previous day -
“I’ve waited for you for half my life already. I can wait for you forever. Take all the time you need, Lexie.” He cups my face “ I am not going anywhere.” he smiles and kisses my forehead.
What a perfect way to end a perfect kiss. And ever since, I couldn’t stop my heart.
present time -
He drops me softly on the bed, shaking me out of my daydream. Dameon kicks off his shoes and jumps over me. Then he pulls the comforter over me as he tucks a pillow under his head. He turns to face me as he lays his head on his arm.
I raised my eyebrow, questioning his actions.
“Just like old times,” he laughs.
Whenever things got bad at home, I would climb into Dameon’s bedroom, and he would welcome me to lay beside him. No questions asked.
I smile at the memory.
“Bingo. I know you remember” he smiles back. “So why were you outside?” he motions me to get my whiteboard.
Lost in thought, I didn’t move. Staying in place, enjoying a little too much of having him this close. Suddenly feeling like a teenager with butterflies in my stomach, having my crush so close.
Oh, if Dameon only knows what I truly felt for him.
Damn it, Dameon.
Damn it, Alex
Damn this!
“Earth to Lex,” he shakes me while laughing.
I start to laugh as he starts tickling me.
“Dameon,” I say while laughing
He stops realizing what just happened. I spoke; I spoke for the second time tonight.
“Lexie, you spoke” he jumps up and sits next to me. “Can you try again?” His eyes are wide and filled with excitement.
Slowly I focus and try to repeat his name. Nothing. Quickly my eyes are filled with frustration.
“Try something simpler… try saying hi or hello or just any sound. Don’t force it.” Dameon says encouragingly.
After a few minutes, my attempts all failed. Then I remember how I was able to speak earlier. I close my eyes and focus on Xavier.
“X..x.Xavier.” Excitement consumed me that I was able to speak for the third time I opened my smiling. As I did, I saw a heartbroken Dameon sitting across from me.
I looked too smug and smiled a little too wide after saying Xavier’s name. I realized that I hurt Dameon. I place my hands on his shoulder, shaking my head, wanting him to know that I was happy I was able to speak. That’s all.
Grabbing the phone beside me, I quickly type: It’s not what you’re thinking, you big lummox!
As I finished typing, the tear was coming down fast. Before he could read my message, he pulled me closer to him.
I allow myself to lean into his chest.
Dameon hugs me tightly, allowing me to sob. “I won’t let him hurt you again. I promise this. Nobody will ever hurt you again.”
“Dameon...” I whisper soundlessly, allowing myself to trust him. It’s been a while since the last time I was able to trust anybody.
Maybe it was time to trust Dameon again.
- Writer
