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“Are you sure? Because I could dance with you forever.” The words are low as though I’m afraid to say them out loud, my arms already enclosed around her.
“I’m sure. So sure. You make me feel so many things, things I shouldn’t. But you’re also the only one who makes me forget. So please, help me forget. Just for today.”
Gripping her chin between two fingers, I lift her face up to mine. “I’ll give you anything you want.” Her breath is caught in her throat as she blinks away tears. I catch a few stray ones and wipe them away. “Damian…”
“Don’t say anything. Just dance with me.” And we do. We dance for what feels like hours. Her body belongs in my arms. The thought of her with anyone else makes me want to punch a wall.
This is the first time I wish I was someone else. Someone without the scars of the past stopping him from giving his heart to another. Yet, even if I could overcome my fear of turning into my father, she’d have to end her relationship. I don’t know if she’s capable of that, but I’ll do whatever I can to show her she’s worth it.
Chapter 9
Lilah
Dancing with Damian is the happiest I’ve been in a long time. Unlike Ash, he makes me want to live another day. And if today is the last day I get in this world, I’ll welcome it with open arms because it’s been a good day. I don’t get many of those anymore.
As the last song on my playlist ends, we reluctantly untangle ourselves from the comfort of each other’s arms. It’s then that I notice the flowers on the floor by the door. Pointing to them I ask, “Where did those come from?”
“Hesent them,” he mutters.
“Oh. Well, just throw them out.” I don’t need to read the note to know what it says.
He grins as he walks over, picking up the huge bouquet. “Be right back.” He takes it out the door and comes back empty handed a minute later. “Done.”
“Good,” I say, smiling back. He walks over to the couch and sits, motioning for me to do the same. I take my seat next to him and his jeans brush up against my knee, sending warmth down my body.
He takes my hand into his and looks deeply into my eyes causing my heart to pick up speed. “Look, maybe this isn’t my business and I shouldn’t say anything, but I care about you. So I won’t just hold your hand and ignore what’s happening. You can’t let him do this to you, Lilah. You have to go to the police.”
I remove my hand and motion for him to stop. “Don’t ruin this day. Don’t talk to me about things you know nothing about.”
He stands up, nostrils flaring. “I know a little about this, so trust me when I say, you have to end this. He won’t stop until you’re dead and you know I’m right.” He bends down onto the floor and takes my hands in his again, brows pinching together, concern written all over his face. “If you’re afraid, I’ll protect you,” he vows, causing me to look away. His worry breaks my heart. “Lilah look at me. I’ll keep you safe. You just have to want it. Tell me you want it and you won’t have to do a single thing.”
He can’t save me. I wish I could just tell him the whole truth and be done with it all, but that’s not an option. If he gets involved, Ash will ruin me then kill me, and he’ll come after Damian too. I can’t risk his life as well. He didn’t ask for this. I need to push him away. It’s the only thing I can think of.
I shove his hands away. “You’re right, it’snotyour business! We barely know each other, and you don’t know Ash!” I hate that I sound so cruel but I know I have to be. “He loves me. He just—lost his temper because I flirted with a waiter. It was my fault. So just drop it. I won’t go to the police and if you do, I’ll never speak to you again. Just let this go!”
He stands, grabbing his hair in frustration. “Don’t you fucking blame yourself! Nothing about this is your fault! Why are you protecting him?”
I can’t look at him anymore. Seeing his disappointment and anger is too much. Approaching me, he lowers himself onto the floor and gently cradles my chin within two fingers, with his thumb stroking back and forth. He tilts my face up just as I close my eyes, tears streaming down my face for the hundredth time. I wonder if it’s possible for a person to run out of tears.
“No, you look at me.” He wipes my eyes, and brings me closer until our noses kiss. My stomach flutters at the sensation, needing more of him. And for the hundredth time I wish he was mine. “You deserve to be loved by someone who knows how to love you. I don’t know why you’re with him but baby girl you’re worthsomuch more.”
Yep, there goes whatever’s left of my heart. His words just cracked me wide open and my emotions are no longer under control. I’m a sobbing mess once again.
He moves in and envelopes me in a blanket of his serenity, rubbing my back as I continue to cry. “It’s okay, just let it out. I’m right here.” Wouldn’t it be great if somehow that was enough? If he could just hold me and make all the bad stuff disappear?
I bury my face in his neck as his strong arms wrap tighter around me. He feels so good. His embrace is an anchor for my shattered soul. “I know you hate me and probably think I’m weak,” I sniffle, “but please understand I’m doing this to save myself in the only way I can.”
“I could never hate you, beautiful. Never. And you’re not weak. Not even close. You’re the strongest person I know.”
“How strong could I really be when I won’t leave?”
He lets out a heavy sigh and kisses the top of my head. “Because you’re doing what you think is best, but there’s always a way out. Just talk to me,” he pleads. “I don’t think I can take seeing you like this again.”
I lift my head from the comfort of his body and cup his cheek. “You don’t know just how much I wish everything were different and how much I wish I had met you first, but this is my life and there’s nothing I can do about it. There are things you don’t know, things that keep me with him, and I can’t tell you any of it. I’m sorry.”
He shuts his eyes and lets me go. “I won’t force you to tell me anything you don’t want to, but there’s no good reason to stay. What will you accomplish when you’re dead?”
“He won’t kill me. He just…”
