The Pursuit

Twenty-Three

⬻Maggie⤖

Maggie found herself floating after she and Damien climaxed together. She felt renewed and desired like she never had. Not since her time in college had she felt this consistent thrill of endorphins pump through her blood. He's different than Sam. He's better. She caught herself staring at Damien as he made breakfast. When she cleaned the dishes afterwards she felt Damien brush himself against her several times. Her libido was on fire and she felt invincible.

Later in the day they went out to snorkel with Uncle Haku and then to lunch and to shop. She learned more about Damien and his boyish mischief. She found herself laughing and feeling light. Damien would sneak a simple touch here and there throughout lunch which drove her insane. Her guard was down and she was okay with being vulnerable with him. She was ready to take chances again. She felt secure with Damien. When they got back to the house Maggie found herself drifting towards wherever Damien was. She found her imagination running wild with what could happen.

The shrill of the landline startled her as she stirred the pot of sauce on the stove. Damien chuckled and let the phone ring out.

"Shh, we're not here", he winked at her mischievously and started to pour pasta into the pot next to her. Maggie felt the weightlessness continue to coarse through her body.

The phone rang again and Damien walked towards the unit on the counter. He shook his head but didn't say anything. The phone rang out but the caller didn't leave a message . Maggie watched Damien move back to the prep area and pour two glasses of wine.

"What's that all about?", she asked cautiously.

"I don't recognize the number", he said and shrugged his shoulders overdramatically.

"You're a horrible liar", she felt a spurt of anger rise and she let go of her wooden spoon. She moved towards the phone to read the monitor's logged calls. As she picked up the phone it rang again. The phone vibrated in her hand and she jumped dropping it on the counter.

She stared down to look at it and saw the Boston area code. She ran through her memory trying to pave the familiar number but came up empty. She heard Damien come up behind her and put the phone on the charging stand.

"Who is it Damien?," her voice stern but cautious.

"It's Sam" he said slowly and walked away from her with a hunch to his shoulders.

"He doesn't know we're here right?" she asked him with a shrill.

Damien turned back to her and wrapped his arms around her body. She felt her shoulders release the tension she was gathering. "He shouldn't know where we are. I was clean about it, turned off the phones and left them in my truck at the airport, but", he paused and pulled back.

The nervousness rose in Maggie's mind. "But what?!" She could feel the fear rise. What if he's coming for me?

"Nothing, he said two weeks, it's only been a week. He wouldn't have checked up on us this early", Damien said his voice laced with suspicion.

"He could though, he could have checked your lake house and he could have found us not there, but-but-but", she could feel any ounce of relief she had built up that day fleet away. Damien pulled her closer to her and embraced her in his arms. She felt her pulse slow and the calmness take over her.

"But he doesn't know about this house", Damien held her and placed a kiss on her forehead. His hand rubbed the back of her head and he soothed her. He kissed her cheeks and then turned her to brush his plump lips slowly on hers. She felt her body surge with hope. She knew he would protect her. She was safe with him. She kissed him back with fervor and moved her hands to the back of his neck, pulling him in.

Damien released them and with his eyes brightly said to her, "Come on let's eat, and then I have plans for us". He smirked and Maggie felt herself let a ray of sunlight in for him.

"What do you have planned?" She asked coyly playing along with him.

"It's a surprise, come on", he grabbed her hand and led her to the kitchen table.

They ate dinner and set back into their groove. They reminisce about their childhoods and shared more idiosyncrasies  with each other. Damien shared memories of his cousin Ellie while Maggie filled him in on her antics with Ellie in Boston. Maggie could feel herself lightening and embracing this new change. She could see in his eyes that he as genuinely interested in her, that he was listening to every word she said with intent and awareness.  Once Maggie felt full and sated Damien left the table and came back with an envelope that he placed  in front of her.

"What's this?", she asked with a tinge of excitement. Slow down eager beaver.  She straightened herself up and calmed down composing herself. What does this mean?

"I remember you said you enjoyed this particular singer  and I just happen to have a few connections", he stood down across from her with a nonchalant grin plastered across his face. He took his glass and downed a sip of his drink .

"I don't think it would appropriate for me to take gifts from you. You've already let me use your house and eat your food. I feel conflicted taking this. We barely know each other and I just ..." Maggie stopped and began to stand and walk away from the table looking down at the envelop. She reached down to grab her empty plate and began to walk to the sink.

Damien pulled her back and brought the plate down and her hands to her sides. He then lifted his hands and cupped Maggie's face. She inhaled a tight breath and he looked at her, really examined her. "You deserve this", he paused and looked down at the white envelope. "You of all people need to go out and enjoy a night of carefree entertainment. I don't want anything in return except for the occasional dance or three with you, you will learn that I am quite a  great dancer".

Maggie looked up to his blue eyes and smiled at him, "Should I open it or would you like to boast a bit more?" she asked him sarcastically.

He rolled his eyes and smiled at her and she felt her stomach float up with anticipation. Maggie pulled back and opened the envelope finding two tickets inside. She pulled them out and read them to herself. She looked at the date and time and then to Damien who was beaming across from her. She looked back down and felt the smile spread across her own face. She found the title of the event and let out a little squeal of excitement without realizing it. Damien chuckled across from her and began to walk the dishes to the sink.

"What does this mean?" She asked him grinning like a mad woman. Is he real?

"It means you're going on a date with me and you have ten minutes to get ready." He winked at her and laughed as she grabbed him around the waist. He returned the hug and Maggie rose on her toes and kissed him on the cheek.

"Thank you Damien", she said sweetly and took off to change.