Chapter 137 *
Scarlett’s POV
I sat there frozen. My mouth was open. No words came out.
My brain had completely short-circuited. All I could do was stare at him.
No one had ever done that for me. No one had ever stood between me and the people who hurt me like that.
My heart was pounding so hard I could feel it in my throat. In my fingertips. Everywhere.
Damon turned to look at me. His expression changed instantly.
The cold fury from seconds ago melted away. His eyes went soft. His mouth curved into a small smile.
"Hey." His hand reached across the console. Those long fingers slid into my hair. Started gently stroking. "You okay?"
I blinked. My eyes were burning. I realized tears were streaming down my face.
When had I started crying?
His thumb brushed across my cheek. Wiped away the wetness.
"Scarlett." His voice was so gentle now. So different from the steel edge he'd used with Lorenzo. "Talk to me."
I tried to speak. My throat was too tight. I swallowed hard.
"Did you mean it?" The words came out barely above a whisper.
His eyebrows drew together. "Mean what?"
I bit my lip. My hands twisted in my lap. "What you said to Lorenzo. About me being..." I couldn't finish the sentence. Couldn't say the word out loud. Precious.
His hand stilled in my hair. "About you being precious to me?"
I nodded. Didn't trust my voice.
His smile widened. "Yeah. I meant it." His intense gaze held mine. "Every word."
Something inside my chest cracked wide open.
My heart was hammering so hard I thought it might break through my ribs. My eyes got even hotter. My throat got even tighter.
My hands moved before my brain could catch up.
I unbuckled my seatbelt. The click sounded loud in the quiet car.
"Scarlett?" Damon's voice carried confusion. "What are you doing?"
I didn't answer. Just shifted forward. Climbed over the center console.
It was awkward. My knee hit the gearshift. My elbow bumped the steering wheel. I didn't care.
I wrapped my arms around his neck. Pressed my face into the curve where his shoulder met his throat.
His whole body went rigid. "Scarlett."
"Thank you." My voice came out muffled against his skin. "Thank you."
His hand came up slowly. Settled on my lower back.
I pulled back just enough to look at him. My eyes were definitely red now. Puffy. I could feel it.
"For standing up for me." My voice cracked. "For everything."
I paused. Tried to get my breathing under control. "No one's ever done that before."
Something shifted in his expression. His other hand came up. Cradled the back of my head. His fingers threaded through my hair.
"Scarlett." His thumb traced along my hairline. Down to my temple. "You don't need to thank me."
I shook my head. "Yes I do."
"No." His hand tightened slightly in my hair. "I'm your husband. This is what I do."
His eyes locked onto mine. "This is what I'm supposed to do."
My chest felt so full it hurt. Like my heart was expanding too fast for my ribs to contain it.
All those times I'd told myself this marriage was fake. Just a contract. Just temporary.
But nothing about this felt fake.
For so long, I thought I had to handle everything alone. Survive on your own. Don't depend on anyone.
But this was different.
He wasn't asking me to be perfect. Wasn't asking me to earn his protection. He just gave it.
Because I was his wife.
"I could get used to this." The words slipped out before I could stop them.
His eyebrow went up. "Used to what?"
Heat flooded my face. I couldn't believe I'd said that out loud.
"Having someone in my corner." I bit my lip. Looked down. "Having you in my corner."
His hand under my chin forced my gaze back up. His eyes had gone intense.
"I'm not going anywhere, Scarlett." His thumb brushed across my lower lip. "You're stuck with me."
Something warm and dangerous bloomed in my chest. I smiled. Really smiled. "Promise?"
My voice came out smaller than I meant it to. More vulnerable.
He didn't answer right away. Just pulled me closer. His forehead pressed against mine.
Our noses were almost touching. I could feel his breath on my lips.
"Promise." The word came out firm.
Maybe that's what love looked like. Not the fairytale kind with princes and happily ever afters.
But the real kind. The kind that showed up when everything else fell apart.
God help me. I think I'm falling for my fake husband.
"I should let you drive." My voice came out breathless. "We're still parked on the side of the road."
His mouth curved into a slow smile. "Probably a good idea."
But neither of us moved. His hand was still in my hair. Mine were still around his neck.
"Scarlett." My name sounded like a question.
"Yeah?"
"If you don't move soon, I'm going to kiss you."
My heart stopped. Then started again. Double time.
"Is that supposed to be a threat?" The words came out teasing. Breathless.
His eyes went even darker. "It's a warning."
"What if I don't want to move?"
The air between us changed. Got heavier. Damon's hand tightened in my hair. His other hand slid from my back to my hip. Gripped hard enough to make my breath catch.
His mouth crashed into mine. His hand fisted in my hair. Angled my head exactly where he wanted it. His other hand pulled me closer. Impossibly closer.
I kissed him back just as hard. My fingers dug into his shoulders. His neck. Anywhere I could reach.
My brain completely shut down. All I could feel was his mouth on mine. His hands on my body. The way he was holding me like he'd never let go.
When we finally broke apart, we were both breathing hard.
His forehead dropped to my shoulder. His breath was hot against my neck.
"We should stop." His voice was rough.
"Yeah." My hands were still fisted in his shirt. "We should."
Neither of us moved.
He lifted his head. Looked at me. "You're dangerous, Mrs. Wolfe."
The name sent a thrill straight through me.
He smiled. "So are you, Mr. Wolfe."
"Go back to your seat." His hand squeezed my hip once. "Before I do something we'll both regret."
I climbed back over the console. My legs felt shaky. My heart was still racing.
I buckled my seatbelt with trembling fingers.
He pulled back onto the road. Started driving.
His hand found mine. Our hands stayed linked the entire way. Neither of us let go.