Chapter 24 Chapter 24
Scarlett's POV
The car hummed quietly as we drove through the city. I was staring out the window, watching the buildings blur past. My eyes felt heavy.
"When do your SAT results come out?" Damon asked.
I turned to look at him. He kept his eyes on the road but I could tell he was actually curious.
"Next week. I've been checking the College Board portal every day."
He was quiet for a moment. Then his eyebrows pulled together slightly.
"I still don't understand how you managed to take the college entrance exam at twenty-two. You said you grew up in foster care in Montana."
I'd been expecting this question eventually. "I dropped out of high school when I was sixteen. Had to work to support myself."
I kept my voice casual. "Took me a few years to realize I wanted to go back. Got my GED last year. Now I'm trying to get into college."
Damon glanced at me. "That must have been difficult."
"It took longer than most people, but I managed. Better late than never, right?"
"That's impressive," he said quietly.
I smiled. "Thanks."
The conversation died down. The gentle movement of the car was making me even more tired. My eyelids kept drooping.
I leaned my head against the window. The cool glass felt good against my skin.
Just for a minute. I'd just rest my eyes for a minute.
I fell asleep.
I woke up when the car stopped moving.
My neck was stiff. My mouth felt dry. I blinked slowly, trying to remember where I was.
The engine was off. We were parked in front of Damon's estate.
I rubbed my eyes. Everything felt foggy. Like my brain was wrapped in cotton.
"You okay?"
Damon's voice came from somewhere close. I turned my head slowly.
He was standing outside my door. He'd already opened it. He was looking at me with that expression he got sometimes. The one where his eyebrows pulled together just slightly.
"I'm fine, just exhausted," I mumbled.
I unbuckled my seatbelt. Tried to make my body move. Everything felt heavy and slow.
Damon stepped back to give me room.
I stumbled out of the car. My legs felt like jelly.
The cool evening air hit my face. It helped a little. I took a deep breath and started walking toward the house.
The front entrance had these stone steps leading up to the door. I'd walked up them many times. But right now, in my half-asleep state, they looked like a mountain.
I put my foot on the first step.
My depth perception was completely off. I misjudged where the step ended.
My foot slipped.
"Oh shit!"
I felt myself falling forward. My arms flailed out, trying to grab something. Anything.
This was going to hurt. I was going to face-plant on the pavement and probably break my nose.
I'm screwed.
Then a strong arm wrapped around my waist.
I was yanked backward. Hard. My back hit something solid and warm.
Damon had caught me.
My heart was pounding. The adrenaline had woken me up completely. I could feel his chest rising and falling against my back. His breathing was faster than normal.
I turned my head slightly. Saw the vein at his temple pulsing.
He'd been scared. Actually scared.
"Thanks," I said. My voice came out shaky.
Damon didn't say anything. He just kept holding me. His arm was like an iron band around my waist.
I looked up at his face. His jaw was clenched tight. His eyes were dark and angry.
Oh no. My stomach dropped. He was pissed.
Of course he was pissed. I'd almost fallen. I was pregnant. I could have hurt the baby.
I needed to apologize. Fast.
I bit my lower lip. Let my eyes get wide. I knew I probably looked like a mess right now. My hair was all over the place. My eyes were still a little red from almost crying when I thought I was going to hit the ground.
"I'm sorry," I said softly. "I'll be more careful, I promise."
I kept my voice gentle. Sincere.
Damon stared at me for a long moment. I watched his shoulders gradually relax. The tension in his jaw eased slightly.
I thought he was going to let go of me. Tell me to be more careful and let me walk inside on my own.
Instead, his other arm came up under my knees.
He lifted me. Just picked me up like I weighed nothing.
"Damon, what are you doing?"
My hands automatically grabbed his neck for balance. My heart started racing again but for a completely different reason.
He looked down at me. His eyes were still dark but the anger was gone. Now there was something else there. Something I couldn't quite read.
"It's cold out here," he said. His voice was low. Quiet.
He shifted his arms slightly. Pulled me closer to his chest. Like he was trying to shield me from the autumn wind.
My face was pressed against his suit jacket now. I could smell him. That clean, masculine scent that made my head spin.
This wasn't helping me wake up. This was making me feel more dizzy.
My heart was doing that thing again. Beating way too fast. Pounding against my ribs like it was trying to escape.
My cheeks felt hot. Really hot.
The cold air should have been cooling me down but it wasn't working. Not when I was this close to him.
I could feel his heartbeat through his chest. It was fast too.
This felt nice. Being carried like this. Being held.
I shouldn't like it this much. So why did my stupid heart keep beating faster every time he touched me?
Damon carried me all the way through the entrance hall. Up the stairs. Down the hallway to my room.
He pushed the door open with his shoulder. Walked inside. Went straight to my bed.