Page 77 of Damien
Wincing, she actually admits, “I got sick around three this morning.”
Holy shit! She spent five hours on the floor? Laundry is the least I can do to lighten her load.
“Why didn’t you call me?” I stand, closing the distance between us and cross my arms over my chest.
“You were sleeping…” she says to her hands. “Jules woke up—got sick in my room, and it all snowballed. I went to clean our bedding, and the nausea hit me like a ton of bricks. One minute, I was okay, and the next, I was very much not okay, ya know.”
“Still… Why didn’t you call? You shouldn’t have to handle all this alone.”
For the first time since I arrived, she meets my eyes. “I meant it when I didn’t think you deserved to be subjected to my crazy life.”
I stare at her for a moment to let what I’m about to say sink in. “And I meant it when I said, if I can’t handle your crazy, then I don’t deserve you in the calm,” I remind her. “I’ve fallen for you hook, line, and sinker, Vanessa. If I love you, I have to love all of you—not just the pretty parts.”
Electricity crackles between us as she stares into my eyes, then her nose crinkles adorably. “Well… I certainly wasn’t very pretty when you found me praying to the porcelain gods.”
“Youwere still gorgeous—no matter what. But I’ll admit, I hated how sick you were.”
“Oh, Damien,” she says through rolled eyes. “What am I gonna do with you?”
“Just be you—and I’ll be more than happy.”
I won’t settle on this one—she needs to get it through her thick, stubborn skull, I’m not going anywhere.
Vanessa looks down the hall, then back to me with a torn expression. “I’m terrified of getting you sick… but I did just brush my teeth…”
God, I love this woman.
Chuckling, I brush the loose strands from her face. “I think it’s safe to say that I’ve already been exposed. And kissing you—well, that’s a risk I’m willing to take.”
“Well, what are you waiting for?”
Slanting my lips over hers, Vanessa tastes strongly of mint. When her tongue tangles with mine, I want more. I need more. Electricity sizzles through my spine and crackles through the air.
Unfortunately, Julia chooses this time to come looking for us. “Momma… Dame? Where are you?”
Breaking the kiss, I run my thumb across Vanessa’s swollen lips. “We’re in the laundry room!” I holler as if Vanessa didn’t just rock my world with a single kiss.
When Vanessa’s eyes meet mine, they twinkle with mischief as she bops me on the nose playfully. “That right there… is only one of the reasons I love you, too.”
Stunned, I just stare.
Did she just say that?
Vanessa shrugs her explanation. “You understand she comes first and have no problems with it.” Then she chuckles. “That and the fact you’re sexy as hell and give the most magnificent O’s, pale in comparison.”
Holy shit… when she swings, she knows how to knock it out of the park.
I’m fucking stunned, and all I can do is pick my jaw off the floor to greet Jules in time when she says, “Wanna watch another movie?”
“Sure thing, Love Bug. Let’s finish making Momma’s bed, then we can spend the evening binging on your favorite shows,” Vanessa suggests.
“Dame, do you wanna pick the movie?”
Though I’m flattered she’s let me choose, this is completely out of my wheelhouse. I only know the classics I grew up on—and I’m sure she has something better in mind. “You can choose, squirt. My favorites growing up wereAladdinandFlubber. Do you even know what those are?”
“Uh… what’sFlubber?”
“I haven’t seenAladdinin forever,” Vanessa jumps in. “Let’s get my bed made so we can watch that.”
