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I drifted toward them. There were so many, all so beautiful., but there was one in particular that held my gaze, displayed at the top of the case.
The ornate hilt was carved with intricate symbols and patterns. Symbols, similar to the ones tattooed on Damien’s arm, extended in a beautiful gold pattern that popped off the black metal of the blade. In the center shined a gold crescent moon, almost glowing. I blinked, snapping out of my trance, remembering why I was in here.
You can ask Damien about his fancy knife collection later, Cas.
I quickly changed into the dry pants Damien had given me, pulling them up to my waist and turned to grab my bundle of wet jeans and underwear. His sweatpants were so huge on me, I had to tie the drawstring tight to keep them from falling off. My nervousness was beginning to get to me again, and my heart was racing at the thought that I was in his room, at one point naked, and now wearing his clothes.
Kat would freak out if she knew.
I returned downstairs, peeking into the living room. When I didn’t see Damien, I wandered down the hall. He stood in the kitchen, leaning against the counter as he sipped from a glass. He was lovely, and I had to check myself before I was caught staring again.
He noticed my presence and set his glass down on the counter. “Are they ok?”
I blinked. “Is what ok?”
He chuckled. “The pants,” he said as he pointed to them, a crooked grin on his face.
“Oh! They’re perfect.” I looked down awkwardly. “They’re really comfy,” I added, smiling. I was such a dunce, completely and utterly flustered by his presence.
He handed me a teacup and I closed my eyes as the warmth of the ceramic seeped into my palms. I inhaled the steam that rose from it, the familiar smell confusing me. It had to be coincidence that this was my favorite blend of tea. I’d never met anyone else who drank it. I lifted the porcelain cup to my lips, taking a sip. I groaned as the warmth reached down my throat into my stomach. Perfectly sweetened with just the right amount of cream.
I looked at him. “Is this mountain tea?”
“Yeah, my family’s from Greece. It reminds me of home.” His brows narrowed. “That's not a common tea here in the States, though. How do you know about it?”
Maybe that was where the subtle accent was from. “I used to buy all sorts of different loose teas to try. It came as a free sample one time and there was just something about it. I loved it, so I started ordering it.”
“Well, we have something else in common then,” he said with a smile, and he took my clothes to the laundry room down the hall.
“How long have you lived here?” I asked when he returned.
“A long while.”
“I’m assuming you don’t live with your parents?”
He didn’t answer at first. “No, they died when I was younger.”
“Oh my God… I’m so sorry, I didn't know.”
He shrugged. “It was so long ago. I barely remember them, besides, how could you’ve known?”
Damien took my hand, leading me back to the living room to warm up in front of the fire.
“Apologies for the mess in my room.” A certain kind of grin spread across his face as he glanced back at me. “If I’d have known I was going to have a woman in there, I would’ve cleaned up more.”
“No, no, it’s ok. I don’t mind.” His words left me flustered as we walked to the front of the couch. I eased down onto the carpet, stretching my hands out to feel the warmth of the fire. The flames danced in the hearth, and I closed my eyes as it soothed my chilled bones. This place was so warm, and not just in front of the fireplace. There was an air of peace to this house that somehow made me feel safe and secure.
Damien sat down on the floor beside me, propping his knee up and leaning forward against it. “Sorry our date went like this. This wasn’t what I had planned. I was going to take you out to get dinner and—”
“Oh! Please don’t apologize!” I stopped him frantically, not wanting him to feel guilty over me. “I’ve actually been having a wonderful time, I promise.”
His eyes lowered as he smiled, his soft laugh reverberating from his throat, and a moment later, his eyes lifted to me again. I couldn’t help but be drawn into them, so pale and beautiful. I wasn’t sure how long we sat there like that. Seconds? Minutes? The only sounds I could hear, trapped in that moment, were the crackling and popping of the fire as it burned slowly through the wood.
Emotions flitted across his eyes as they stared into mine. Warmth? Sorrow? Happiness? I couldn’t make out what he was feeling, and I wondered what kind of thoughts might be dancing around in that head of his.
Damien grew closer, and I hadn’t even realized it till we were inches apart. In that moment, I was leaning into him as well. I couldn’t stop myself. That, or I didn’t want to. I didn’t know which it was, my mind racing—so many emotions I couldn’t begin to understand flooding me. The pounding of my heartbeat drowned out all other sounds and adrenaline tore through my system.
He hesitated a moment, so close I could inhale his rich scent of cedarwood and leather. It sent my heart into a frenzy. His eyes flickered over my face, as if he were surveying me for what I was going to do next, if I would accept him. His eyes lowered, barely visible under his thick lashes. When he saw no hesitation, he moved to close the space between us. My eyes drifted to his lips before closing, and I felt them brush against my own.
