Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Fifteen
Jasmine's pov

We would have our ups and downs. I mean , I knew that. But I thought this was a good start to any kind of bond. He had fed me my carrot, and I looked into his eyes with gratitude. I hope that was a good analogy.

But at least I wasn't getting married to man who was indifferent about my feelings. Damien didn't strike me as one who always have the time to sit me and talk to me about all the events of my day and how they affected me. Hell, I don't think would want to talk about his day and how it affected him, but at least, he wouldn't be indifferent. That, alone , changed things.

"you look more in your head right now. Is this not beautiful enough?" he said moments later, form behind me, making me sigh.

"it's beautiful. Of course I find it all very beautiful. I was just… thinking."

"aye, I could tell. Do you feel like talking about it?"

I nodded, and he led me to the edge of the stream, "let's sit and talk."

"okay." I said, and sat beside him.

"Damien, do you think you and I would ever have a nor mal marriage?" he was quiet for a moment, before he shrugged.

"as normal as we manage to make it , I suppose." then he turned to look at me, "or do you speak of love?"

"no." I quickly said and made him smile, "no, not love. I know better than to even stir in that direction right now. I'm talking about, friendship, and wanting to be in each other's space. Being able to be in each other's space."

"I wouldn't mind that. As the alpha, I'm always busy. But it won't hurt coming home to a beautiful woman I can talk to."

I couldn't help the blush that made my cheeks rise and go crimson. Obviously, Damien wasn't one to directly give compliments. But his compliments hit their mark just as well.

"I wouldn't mind having easy handsome man to talk to , when night falls. I mean, sex is supposed to be nicer when there is a connection."

Damien's eyes widened at my words, and only then did I realize what I had said, and my cheeks reddened further.

"damn, jasmine. I didn’t know you wanted me that way." he teased, and I slapped at his elbow.

"you know what I mean."

"yes, I do. But you know that mainly applies to women."

"excuse me?" I asked, my brows drawn, and he rushed to explain.

"what I mean is that, men can have sex, simply for the release, without any emotional attachments to the woman involved. It isn't necessarily the same way for a woman." my eyes remained narrowed and he rushed on to add, "that isn't to say that I'm interested in sleeping with just any one. Especially not now that I'd be married to you. Whether or not we are in love, I won't do that to you. I won't cheat."

"so this won't be just a marriage in name?" I asked, slowly letting go of my edge.

"no, it won't simply be a marriage in name. I'm many things, Jasmine, and I know some of them , not so wonderful and nice, but I'm not a cheat. I won’t cheat on you. More likely , I'll keep late nights because of my duty to the pack though."

"I can respect your duty to the pack."

"perfect."

"And hug your pillow so it has my scent and heat for when you return." that made him chuckle, and I smiled.

"that works."

We were there for a while. He left me to go wander, while I sat by the edge, and I had to admit, that perhaps getting married to Alpha Damien might not be the wort thing after all. And for the first time since Rowlan and I broke up, I let myself admit that maybe it was for the best. Maybe I had to go through that degree of hurt, to get to this greener side.

Yes, Damien and I were not in love. But that didn't mean that what we had, could not be good.

DAMIEN'S POV

"don't look at me like that Gracie. The girl is magical, you can't fault me for liking her. Hell, you're half way on love with her yourself."

I ran a hand over Gracie's mane and watch Jasmine from where we stood. She had her face up in the hair. She was backing me, so I couldn't see her expression, but I could bet anything that she had a smile on. Jasmine was simply that kind of woman.

I ran a hand over my face feeling thoroughly spent. Emotionally though. But in a bad way, it was nice actually. It had been a long time since a woman made me search for the softest parts of myself to give to her. And now… now I didn't want to mess things up with her.

"I bet the goddess is having a laugh." I said, and began to undo Gracie's reins. It was getting late, and we had to be on our way. "setting me up with a woman who would damn me… just by being herself."

We walked toward Jasmine and we found her just as I had expected to find her. Smiling. Yes, the goddess was definitely having a good laugh.

She must have felt our presence, because she opened her eyes.

"ready to go?" she asked, and I nodded.

"only if you are , though." she stretched out her hand to me, and I took it.

"one can never really truly have enough of this place, but I could never manage to have my fill in just one day. So we will return here some other time. Perhaps when I've mastered how to ride a horse, I can come here often."

"not a bad idea." I said, and helped her dust at her skirts, "I'll be happy to give you those lessons whenever we have some time."

"oh, Damien! That would be lovely. Obviously, for now I have nothing but time."

"not really."

"no?"

"I know this wedding isn't exactly what you wanted, but regardless, wouldn't you like to plan it? Colors, bouquets, dresses, all of that?" he asked, and I felt my heart squeeze.

"why, that's definitely every girl's dream. "

"then I want you to have a taste of it. We can fit in horse practice somewhere. But first things first." he said, and I nodded.

"thank you."

"no problem," he said, and stretched out his hand. Thinking he was asking for a hug, I awkwardly stepped into his embrace, and he awkwardly wrapped his arms around me.

"I was actually trying to lift you." he held on tighter, when I tried to pull away, for I was immediately mortified, "but this, works just as well." he whispered.