He leans down towering me our lips inches apart,"is that pity,I sense Miss Clark?"he whispers.I stared at his piercing hazel eyes suddenly forgetting how to breathe,"no.."I stuttered.
We whiled away the lazy afternoon in conversation until words eventually failed us, leaving us in comfortable silence. Damien broke it first.
"Feel free to watch some TV if you'd like," he said, rising from his seat. He made his way towards what I assumed was his favored window perch, his familiarity with the room's layout evident in his confident movements. He settled into the chair with practiced ease, turning his face towards the glass.
I shook my head, a plan already forming. Crossing the room, I gently tugged at his arm. "What are you doing?" he asked, a note of concern in his voice as I coaxed him from his seat.
Ignoring his question for the moment, I retrieved his stick and helped him into his sweater. The air outside held a bitter chill. "We're going to the lake," I announced.
He tensed. "Are you out of your mind? Do you have any idea how risky that is?"
I couldn't help but roll my eyes at his wariness. "It's just the lake. Besides, you've been cooped up in here for days. Some fresh air will do you good."
He let out a derisive snort. "This is how we both end up dead, I'm telling you."
"Are you coming or not?" I challenged, my tone light but firm.
A pause stretched between us as he weighed his options. Finally, he sighed. "How exactly do you plan on getting past security?"
A grin spread across my face. "Leave that to me."
With surprising stealth, we made our way out of the room, down the stairs, and towards the back door. Once we reached the lawn, I took Damien's hand firmly in mine, guiding him through the dense foliage until we reached the crystal-clear lake.
Damien had fallen silent since we left the house. He stood still, taking slow, deliberate breaths as if savoring the open air. "You okay?" I asked softly.
A smile tugged at his lips as he gently laced his fingers through mine. "Yes," he murmured.
I returned his smile, squeezing his hand as we made our way to the dock. We sat down, our feet dangling just above the water's surface. The lake mirrored the sky above, both a shimmering expanse of blue. It was a breathtaking view of a late afternoon I had discovered on my way back from the hospital.
"Come on," I said, helping Damien out of his clothes until he was left in just his shorts. I tried not to stare at his impressive physique as I turned away to do the same.
After quickly tying my hair into a ponytail, I helped Damien to his feet and led him further into the lake. Once we were waist-deep, I gave him a playful push, keeping a firm grip on his arm to steady him.
"What the hell?" he exclaimed, his face a mix of shock and indignation that sent me into fits of laughter. My triumph was short-lived, however, as I felt his hands grasp my waist and pull me under.
"Ah!" I squealed as I plunged into the icy water. I surfaced, sputtering and feigning outrage. "Hey! Not funny!"
A mischievous smirk played on his lips. "Well, you shouldn't have pushed me in first," he retorted.
"You're welcome," I shot back playfully, splashing water in his direction.
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He retaliated with a splash of his own, chuckling. It was refreshing to see him like this – carefree and unburdened, a far cry from his usual brooding demeanor.
The water reached our shoulders, its chill seeping into our bones. "I'm f-f-freezing," I stammered, my teeth chattering.
Damien's laugh was low and warm. Unexpectedly, his hands found my hips, pulling me closer until our faces were mere inches apart. "This lake excursion was your brilliant idea, remember?" he murmured, his breath warm against my skin.
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I was about to respond when he cupped my face in his hands and pressed his lips to mine. Without hesitation, I returned the kiss, my arms winding around his neck. Our lips moved in perfect synchronicity, the kiss remaining soft, gentle, and unhurried.
When we finally parted, Damien rested his forehead against mine. "Th-thank you," he whispered, his own teeth now chattering from the cold.
"For what?"
"I'm not sure. I could die out here but at least I would die smiling."
I smiled, then helped him out of the water and back onto the dock. After assisting him with his clothes, I turned to dress myself. "We should head back before you catch a cold," I said, preparing to stand.
Damien's hand caught my arm, gently pulling me back down. "Let's stay a little longer," he requested softly.
Touched by his desire to linger, I settled beside him. "Okay," I whispered, snuggling close as we gazed out over the lake in companionable silence.
After a while, Damien rested his head on my shoulder, clearly fatigued. His next words, barely audible, shattered my heart.
"Don't leave me." I froze a little, wondering if I had imagined the vulnerable plea. It seemed too fragile, too raw to be real. I tried to play it off as cool.
"Depends, are you advocating for the baby?"
He shifted slightly, pressing his lips to my forehead. "I need you most," he added, his voice thick with something, heart fluttering.
