He stares at me a moment and I wonder what he’s thinking. I should just have kept quiet and left.
“She is just a friend that needs a place to stay,” he explains to me again, but this time he says the words slowly as if I’m some stupid fool.
“I understand,” I answer too quickly, and he shakes his head.
“You’re not listening to a word I’m saying anymore, are you?” he asks.
“I am,” but he’s right, because as long as someone else is living here, getting closer to him, and making him laugh, I have no place here.
It’s not safe for me anymore. Time to move on. I’ve already stayed too long.
“I said I’m sorry. I’m an idiot. I’m overreacting. I’m going to go make coffee now.” I end the discussion. I walk by him and sigh in relief when he doesn’t stop me.
Damian~
I don’t know what’s wrong with Cara. It’s driving me insane. I honestly didn’t think she’d react this way to Jean staying here.
Jean is just another job. She’s paid a fee for my protection. It’s only temporary so I hope Cara will get over it.
I sit down on her bed and I stare at the floor. Cara is too deep under my skin. I shouldn’t care what she thinks and feels, but I fucking do.
Cara~
I take one look at them in the kitchen, him at the stove making the stupid curry, and her sitting on the damn table. Yuck, I have to eat off that thing.
I head out the back door without a second glance. I should’ve put on a sweater. It’s cold out.
The clouds have been rolling in thicker and it looks like one hell of storm is about to come down. Just like inside me.
“Why can’t I just have a normal life?” I mumble as I walk through the trees. I stay outside for a long time until the first drops start to come down.
I walk back slowly as the heavens open up and I stop halfway to the house. It’s cold, but I’m honestly contemplating staying outside. The rain soaks my clothes quickly and it’s with a heavy heart that I walk back to the kitchen.
“Oh darling, you got caught in the storm,” Jean pours out her concern, and I smile back, too wide.
“No, darling, I just love walking in the rain. Come to think of it, I’m not quite done yet. I just love water so much.” I turn around and head right back out into the rain, because her face is too much to look at.
I walk around the house aimlessly. I’m freaking freezing my butt off, but I’m not ready for that sugary fake thing in the kitchen.
“Cara,” Damian snaps behind me.
“Freaking hell, man!” I shriek. “Stop doing that stealth thing!” I snap my fright away.
“You love freezing your ass off?”
“Yeah, I just love getting wet,” I snap back.
A smile tugs at the corner of his mouth and heat flushes my neck. I didn’t mean it like that. Shit!
He takes a step forward and another until the heat from his body drives some of the cold from my chest.
He presses his lips to my temple and then he turns and walks away. “Please come in. I don’t want you to get sick.”
I don’t follow him immediately. I watch him disappear inside before I say, “I need to find a way to live on my own.”
It’s no surprise that I can’t sleep that night. I’m a freaking mess. I open my door and as I’m about to take the step in the direction of Damian’s room, I hear her.
“I haven’t seen her since this afternoon. She’s a real quiet one.” There’s a moment’s silence. “No, he’s wonderful,” she coos at whoever she’s talking to. “I’m settling in for the long haul.” She sighs dreamily and the sound makes me cringe. “I don’t think he has someone in his life, well not for long. I’ll fill that gap real soon. He’s sexy and dark. You know I love that in my man. It’s just a matter of time before I’m back in his bed.”
I’ve heard enough. I walk to the cupboard and get dressed in a pair of jeans, warm shirt and sneakers. I drag a sweater over my head and grab the passport and I.D. I slip out my room and sneak down the passage. As I pass her room she says, “Men want only one thing, darling, and he’s a man. He already can’t keep his hands off me.”
I walk faster, rushing down the stairs. I’m careful with the lock on the front door. I don’t want to wake Damian. I open the door slowly and then I run. I don’t even bother closing the door behind me. I run as if my life depends on it.
I run like I should’ve run back when I met Steven for the first time.
When I get to the main road I just head in any direction. I’m not sure how far I am from town.
I don’t have any money. The thought makes panic blossom in my chest, but I shove it down. I can worry about that once I reach town.