Chapter 27

The cool breeze hitting her face awakened her senses. She tried to open her eyes but finding the strength was difficult. The sound of nature rang in her ears. Even before opening her eyes, she knew it wasn't bright yet.

Wow, Lena didn't know her bed could be this nerve-calming. The cool morning air, the sound of crickets chirping was enough to—

Hold up.

Crickets? In her room?

Her eyes snapped open.

It wasn't her bed, alright.

It was her car.

It was obviously morning, but it wasn't dawn yet. The road was empty and it felt like they'd been on the move for quite a while now.

"You awake?"

The voice was deep, soft, tired. Her mind was clouded for the first few minutes, then recognition hit her as Damon came into view.

His cheek was filled with a week's worth of stubble, and his blue eyes when he turned to face her was calm. His tone was normal enough, and the only thing that gave away his tired state were the circles under his eyes.

She briefly recalled the night before when he'd gotten himself stone drunk and confessed his love for her. She vaguely wondered if he remembered all he'd said. Forgetting was next to impossible for her.

His face was straight, his gaze on the road. From the corner of his eyes, he roamed over her face with his intense gaze. "Hey. Everything okay?"

Hesitating for a brief moment, she nodded. "Where are we going?"

"It's a surprise," came the reply.

Raising a brow, she asked, "Okay but, how long have we been on the road?"

He checked his wrist watch. "A bit over two hours."

Two hours? Where on earth were they going? Checking for her purse, she saw that she didn't have it with her. In fact, she didn't have anything with her save for the sun dress she had on that she didn't even remember putting on.

Her head snapped to him, "Damon? Did you undress me and then dress me again?"

He scoffed, like he'd been expecting something more important. "Relax. I've seen you naked before, remember?"

He took a turn. The road was empty. It was as if the apocalypse had happened and they were the only two remaining. It was silent, even at seven in the morning.

"That matters for shit. You should've asked me first. I feel violated."

"That was kinda hard considering you were out like a light."

She scoffed, "Whatever, pervert."

He chuckled, eyes on the road. "Only for you, love."

The smile that took to her features was unintentional. She missed times like this, when they just... were. Where they didn't have to worry about anyone or anything hurting them. A time where they could exist as they were.

"So, is this like a kidnapping of some sorts? You might not know it but this looks really suspicious," her hand caught a stubborn lock of hair, fixing it at the back of her ear.

His eyes turned to her for a brief moment then smirked when he looked away. "If I was going to kidnap you, you wouldn't be looking so pretty sitting there. You'd have your hands bound, your mouth gagged, and my dick buried deep inside you."

The words hit her and she gasped in utter shock. "Ew!" A hand shot out to slap his chest. "That's disgusting, Damon."

A breathy chuckle escaped his mouth, "Oh, you love it."

She did, but she wasn't about to let it show.

"So," he began, "I honestly don't know how I got to yours last night but as drunk as I was, I hope I didn't do or say anything stupid."

Through a sharp intake of breath, her mind raced. There it was. She'd been waiting for the penny to drop and it just did. But should she tell him all he'd said? It was obvious he didn't remember. Wow, she breathed, turning her gaze out the window. It was so easy for him to forget the three words she hadn't been able to shake off all night. Lena couldn't deny it, it was excruciating to hear. For a moment, she was compelled to tell him, that he'd said he loved her. That he'd said he would never leave her. But then on a second thought, she decided against it. If it were that easy for him to forget, then it probably didn't matter.

"Hmm."

"Well?"

She turned to face him. "Well?"

Rolling his eyes, he asked, "Did I say or do anything too crazy last night?"

Her voice went down a note. "You honestly don't remember?"

Something flashed in his eyes, then left as quickly as it came. It happened so fast Lena actually thought she'd imagine it. "No. Nothing."

It hurt, she'd admit, but she nodded mindlessly. "You didn't do anything. Only showed up drunk, I took you up to my room, settled you in and we fell asleep." The lie slipped out of her mouth effortlessly, like she'd rehearsed the words countless times over.

Did she really have him like he'd said? Studying his features as he drove, she sighed to herself. His blue eyes seemed to stare deep at her, like her soul was on display. It gave a sense of insecurity and at the same time, it made her feel safe. His jaw was covered with days' worth of hair, adding to his mysterious allure. A thick mane of dark hair settled on top of his head, accentuating his dangerous side. His nose pointed out proudly. She sighed again.

God, he was so handsome, sometimes it gave her chills.

His strong hands on the steering wheel turned left, and several veins popped out. Everything he did screamed grace.

“Oh,” he breathed out. “Good.”

If she didn't know better, Lena would've said he sounded disappointed.

But, she did know better.

And she knew that he hadn't meant anything he'd said last night. They'd just been the slurred words of a drunk man. She accepted it, because really, there was nothing else she could do.

“Let's play a game.” His deep voice brought her out of her reverie, turning her attention to him.

“What game?”

“Twenty questions.”

She literally groaned, “Ugh, really? What are you, five?”

He rolled his eyes but still held his ground. “We're playing it. You go first.”

There wasn't much room for discussion so she shrugged reluctantly. Adjusting the seat, she leaned back. “Okay. First kiss?”

“Fourth grade. Payton Strong,” he sighed. “Damn, she was pretty.”

She shot him an unimpressed look.

“What?” he whined. “Whatever. What's your best color?”

She chuckled because it wasn't a question she'd been expecting. In fact, now that she thought about it, it was something they both didn't know. Amongst other things.

“Nude.”

“What?”

“My favorite color is nude.”

“When did being naked become a color?” He was actually stupefied.

“I don't know, Damon, don't ask me stupid questions. Your turn. What's your favorite color?”

Smiling cheekily, “Black.”

“Noted.”

“Yup. An actual color.”

She rolled her eyes at him. “Shut up.”

“Favorite food?”

“Don't have one. Favorite song?”

“Uh... Let's see.” He hummed deeply. “I think 'Thunderclouds.'”

“LSD?” She grinned. She'd always been a fan of Sia.

“LSD.” His grin matched her own as they realized they had the same taste in music. “You?”

“'Hand Of God,' Jon Bellion.”

His breathy chuckle filled the air. “Ah, Jon, how can I forget? He's so deep.”

“Stupid deep?” She grinned cheekily, watching him.

“Stupid deep.”

They burst out laughing at the joke, basking in the feeling of their company one more time. It's been too long, Lena thought, way too long.

“My turn.” She faced him. “Guilty pleasure?”

He took a swerve, eyes on the road. “Knives.”

Flummoxed, she watched him in earnest interest. “You're kidding?”

“Nope. Growing up, I had an endless fascination with knives. I had all kinds of 'em. I loved to play with them. They were cool. Unfortunately, Mom said they were dangerous—for the life of me, I didn't know what she meant by that—so she never bought me any. I collected them from any pawn shop and garage sale I came across: butterfly knives, the Crocodile Dundee knives, flick knives, the Rambo knives. God, I loved them.”

Lena thought his voice sounded like he was reminiscing about a good time in his life, before all the chaos and drama consumed him.

“How old were you then?”

“Thirteen.” He smiled with the response and he looked years younger than twenty-nine. In all honesty, he was beautiful. God, this was the person she was falling in love with. It seemed like every effort she put into not loving him only made her love him more.

“Wow. That's so cool,” she mused, watching him.

“I know, right? Let me let you in on a secret: don't ever get in a knife battle with me.” He smirked devilishly. “You'd lose.”

Nodding emphatically, she chuckled. “Noted.”

A peaceful silence overtook the car as both of them relished in the ambiance of tranquility they gave each other.

“Tomorrow's Ella birthday.”

Lena's brows raised, “Seriously? How come no one told me about it?” Knowing the kind of person Ella was, Lena had an idea what it was going to look like. No princess gowns and sparkling tiaras, that's for sure.

Damon shrugged. “Eh, slipped my mind. Any who, she says it's not a party without you so you have to be there,” his voice turned sour. “She's so demanding, the little thing.”

Lena laughed heartily, even as she gave him an unimpressed look. “I know. I love her too.”

Damon didn't let Lena see how much that pleased him. In fact, it was amazing how easy it was for Ella to warm up to Lena. His niece was usually very particular about who she talked to.

“Oh God, I have to get a present. Something....Ella-ish and I definitely can't do that if I'm stuck in a car all day. Where on earth are you taking me?” Her patience was hanging by a thread. A very thin one. She was this close to jumping out the window.

Damon said nothing, only gave her a small smile. “You'll see.”