Strangers in the Storm ✔

Chapter 11: Today's Mistakes

ROXANNE

The closer Damien's fingers came to the hem of her dress, the less reluctant Roxanne grew. The desire built up inside her, reminding her of what it felt like to be close to him last night. She wanted him, perhaps more than she's ever wanted Mike, on that purely primal, carnal level.

As thudding in her chest grew louder and tighter, Roxanne leaned against the armrest of the bench, the wood wedging itself between her shoulder blades.

Damien's thumb formed circles on her skin, each twist closer to her dress, each sending another wave of excitement through her veins.

Roxanne took another sip of wine, already half lost in alcohol. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she knew she should probably just go home, but his fingers felt so good on her and his smooth brown eyes sent shivers down her spine.

Realising her glass was empty, Roxanne quickly poured some more, using the glass as a shield from upcoming mistakes. Damien leaned against the backrest; relaxed, nonchalant and smug, his fingers grazing her skin lazily.

"We had a deal." Roxanne whispered.

Damien let out a throaty laugh and let his fingers sneak underneath the hem of her dress. Roxanne shuddered under his touch.

"Think of it this way." He said, smirking. "One day, you're going to be old."

Roxanne raised her eyebrow, "Be very careful what you're about to say."

He chuckled, "You're going to be eighty or ninety one day and you're gonna wish you've had as much sex as possible when you were younger."

"If that's the way you think about everything, that explains a lot." Roxanne mumbled, but still found his words strangely comforting.

Damien kept quiet for a few moments; a smug smile gripping his lips, his fingers still gently stroking her skin, just under the hem of her dress.

There was a smidgeon of wisdom in his rationalisation. After all, she has spent three years with a man who has never given her enough of anything; sex, love, support.

And she's been good, better than most. Someone else would have been happy with her.

A small voice in the back of her mind spoke again, telling her this man wasn't that someone. He was a different sort, he wasn't looking for the same things she wanted. No, he wanted a distraction because he was going through a rough period, but that was all.

Roxanne took in a sharp breath, "I think I have to go home."

Damien shrugged, unbothered, "I think you should stay."

Would it even matter to him? Would her leaving change anything or would he simply find someone else tomorrow to occupy his time?

An uncomfortable feeling settled in Roxanne's heart, squeezing her chest and sucking all breath out of her lungs. She was nothing but a distraction. Nothing but something to help pass the time.

"You're thinking about it too much." Damien shook his head, put her legs down and stood up.

Roxanne's eyes jumped up and she half expected him to take her straight to the shore, but he turned around and offered his hand.

The night sky turned a shade lighter, early dawn creeping at the horizon. Roxanne wondered whether she would see him again, or if he came to her bar simply to apologize and see whether he could get seconds. He hasn't asked for her number, he hasn't asked her if she wanted to see him again.

A part of her wanted to ask him about it, but she knew what his answer would be. So she decided to pretend this time would be different.

Roxanne took his hand. Damien pulled her up momentarily, almost making her spill her wine. Roxanne barely managed to put the glass on the wooden table before he pulled her in for a kiss, his thumbs digging into his thighs, roaming underneath her dress.