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PAIGE
The wind whipped around us as Damon and I made our way to the beach, we’d spent the day together just chilling. It had been great, we didn’t get many moments to steal away with each other now that Phoenix was home, but when they arose we took every opportunity.
He’d just taken me out for dinner at a local food truck festival. It was incredible, so many different choices and which meant there would be no arguing about what each other wanted like there always was at the beach house. We had been enjoying our time when he looked up and saw my cousin and the boys walk through the main gate.
We’d been keeping what we had a secret, not wanting to cause a stir or trouble while Phee had been recovering, plus if I was being honest I didn’t want to deal with the shit my cousin would spew. I’d already had one fight with him about not understanding his viewpoint because I didn’t have anyone special. I didn’t need him expanding on that and adding I’d be fucking up his friendship if he found out.
As the rumble of the bike beneath slowed to a small purr, I lifted my head to take in the view around me. It was serene. Damon had definitely been hiding this softer sweet side of himself and I hated that he wasn’t confident enough to show it.
“Come on Princess, the night’s not over yet.” He said, his voice gentle as he helped me off his bike and grabbed a blanket out of his side pouch.
“A girl could get used to this,” I giggled, stepping into him I pulled him closer, leaned in and kissed him. My hands wrapped around his waist as he deepened the kiss for a minute before he pulled back.
“We keep doing this, we'll miss what I bought you here to see.” Damon whispered against my lips while he tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear. Taking my hand he led me down the small sandy path and onto an almost deserted beach.
There were a few people there but all seemed to be off on their own little parcels of sand oblivious to the others that had gathered. We walked a few yards towards the water before he spread the blanket out and pulled me down into his lap.
“So why are we here lover boy,” I cooed, there was a vulnerability about us when we were together, yet neither of us addressed it for fears we’d fuck up the good thing we had going.
“A few weeks ago some guy came into the shop talking about turtle nests and how they’d be hatching by the end of spring,” his breath was warm against my ear as I sunk back into he embrace, “I thought we’d come and check it out, looks like we may be just in time too.”
All around us were small roped off areas marked with signs, and as the sun started to set I noticed movement, we watched in fascination before he spoke up again.
“I don’t want to hide anymore Paige,” he said. I could sense the hesitancy in his voice as he began to open up to me, never taking his eyes off the turtles. “It kills me every time we are around each other knowing I can’t pull you in and treat you how you should be, it feels like we’re each other's dirty little secrets and I don’t want to do that anymore.”
I didn’t know what to say to him, he had a point, and if I was being honest with myself I hated hiding it too. There was nothing to be ashamed of, and I knew I’d have the support of my friends, it was just my family I was scared of. Damon knew who they were and what they did thanks to Stryker but didn’t want to pull him in and make him give up his family and I knew that would be what my uncle would want.
“I don’t want to hide anymore either, but I can’t ask you to give up what my family would ask you too,” I whispered, getting choked up at the end, because it would be a big ask. Silent tears threatened to fall.
“I won’t have to,” he said, his voice, although still soft, had an air of confidence about it, and left me to wonder what he meant by that. “Do you trust me?”
* * *
“To trust me?” I could hear angry voices coming from somewhere close, bringing me out of my slumber.
“I don’t see why she has to trust you in order for you to bring her to heel,” The angry voice from earlier answered back, only this time whoever it belonged to wasn’t angry, it was more like they were trying to cajole the other person.
“What is she doing still strapped to that thing?” Blaze was clearly agitated when he walked into my new private hell, his voice loud enough that I was fully aware he was there. “She is going to need a full day to recover from this shit before I start any of my training.”
He clearly was not happy as he stomped towards me, taking in the sight before him. His gaze then turned to my back. He then tsked in disgust before leaning down and inspecting my face. “Has no one come in to clean her wounds and change the dressings? And why the fucking hell is there dark circles around her eyes?”
“Come on Blaze, it’s not like she is a guest here,” The other guy said apathetically while he stayed in the shadows. “She is here to be broken and nothing else, she’s a prize, a piece of meat and nothing more, don’t develop feelings where there are none to be developed."
“Cut the crap Alexander, even girls in the basement are treated better than she has been, you allowed last night because of some twisted vendetta.” Blaze touted, he had started to release me but every time he touched me my body screamed in pain, I’d been kept in the one position for far too long. “You want me to train her then I’ll do it my way, I’ve agreed to one of your methods but only because we are on a time sensitive deadline, but aside from that you will not have a say.”
Once I was released entirely he took off the jacket he’d been wearing, threw it over me and lifted me up bridal style, an involuntary yelp of pain escaped that caused Blaze to tense as he made his way to the door. “Oh and Alex as of now she will be kept in my room, all training will be done there and no one is allowed access unless I’ve approved.”
* * *
Somewhere along the way I must have drifted off again, I’d had a burning question to ask when I’d left that room but the way my body ached was too much and sleep pulled me under again.
When I came too, everything was dark and bold. Forest green walls that were accented by ornate gold mouldings, there were two large bay windows that flanked the hardwood maple stained four-poster bed. A dresser was placed against the wall opposite with a television hung on the wall above it. Just like the first room I found myself in, there were two doors along one wall, one to a bathroom and the other I assumed to be a closet.
Just as I started to focus more my stomach grumbled and a wave of nausea hit me, three days without anything to eat had finally caught up.
“I had them bring up some sandwiches for you and placed them on the table,” Blaze said, his voice much softer than the last time I’d heard him, I’d also noted there was a touch of concern to it. “Once you’ve eaten we’ve a lot to discuss.”
“Thank you,” I mumbled, eyeing him cautiously. Slowly I moved to stand myself up, unfortunately the last few days had finally caught up and a wave of dizziness hit me and caused me to sit back down on the bed. Within seconds Blaze was at my side with the food.
