Chapter 37 - Shopping sprees, stolen kisses, and a little bit of trouble

Lisa

I froze on the spot, forgetting how to breathe. And then without thinking, I leaned into him, kissing him back. I'd missed this. His scent. The feel of his lips on mine. It was addictive. 

Finally, we both pulled away when we needed air. My cheeks flushed red in embarrassment. Damon looked like he was going to say something but I cut in.

“I'm not sure what the hell just happened now, but I sure as hell don't want to talk about it. At least not now.”

He looked like he was going to protest but he stayed quiet, respecting my decision. 

The remaining croissant didn't taste like Damon, it lost its taste in my mouth and the tension between us wasn't helping matters so I asked for my remaining pastries to be packed for later. I'd eat when my insides don't feel like jelly. 

We strolled through the buzzling streets and I literally dragged Damon into every single boutique we saw on the way. And being the ever indulgent sweetheart he is, he willingly swiped at my command.  

We came across a trade fair and I excitedly looked at the items they had to offer. This time around, since it was the locals that were selling our modus operandi changed a bit. I'd point at something I liked, then Damon would step on and converse with the traders in French. After a long back and forth, he would finally pay. Damon was enjoying the negotiation but I wasn't. We finally reached a trader that spoke English.

“Hello, there tourist, see anything you'd like?”

Damon was about to step him with French but I pinched him to stay put.

“Such lovely scarfs you have.”

“Rule No. 1,” Damon whispered in my ear. “Never show too much interest.”

“Rule Number Golden,” I whispered back, “Keep your rules to yourself.” I said, kicking him lightly. 

“Ow!” He complained although I knew it didn't hurt him.

“I have more if you'd like to see.”

“Of course.” I smiled at the reader and shot Damon a warning glare to stay out of my business. I left the shop as a happy customer, all smiles and giggles.

“She cheated you. The number one rule of negotiation is to start with half the price, Lisa. You paid the first price she called which I am certain is way higher than the actual price.”

“She deserved it. Look how soft and beautiful it is.” I patronized, wrapping the fabric around my neck with a dramatic pose.

He shook his head, amused, “Your negotiation skills are terrible.”

“And you, Damon, are a terrible tourist. Try to love a little. You haven't even taken a single picture since we got here.” I said, pulling my phone out and posing.

“Oh, I have and it's a personal favourite. Unlike you, I prefer to live in the moment ” He unlocked his phone and showed me his phone screen. He had a new wallpaper and it was none other than the horrible picture he took of me this morning.

“Oh, no, you didn't!” I screamed. Damon ran ahead as I chased him. Just pray I don't catch you, that's your only chance at surviving this. 

We finally reached the car. Damon dropped all the shopping bags in the boot while I took a seat, panting. I shouldn't have run.

“What's next on your agenda?” I asked Damon when he sat beside me.

“You'll see.” He said. 

I fall asleep in the car because I'm really tired but when I open my eyes, I notice it's dark. I thrn to find Damon sitting next to me in the car.

“Are we there yet?” I said groggily.

“We arrived hours ago.” 

I jolted up, suddenly alert, “Why didn't you wake me.”

“You needed the rest, Lisa. The dinner can wait.”

“What if I had woken up later than this and they were already closed. I'd miss all the fun.”

“No, Princess. Even if you woke by 3 am I would have paid the restaurant staff to stay up and wait for you. The fun would have waited for you to wake. Time is money. I have enough money to buy whatever time you need.”

I was lost for words. I stepped out of the car and took in my surroundings. We were on a beach.

“Where are we?”

“It's a dine and dance.” I noticed couples dancing on the shore and then a building that looked like a restaurant. Guess that's where the dining happens.

“You've been awfully romantic all day, Damon, at this rate, I think I might actually trip.”

“That's what dates are for, Lisa.” I jerked my head to him. 

“What did you say?” I asked.

“You heard me.” He said.

Did Damon just ask me to fall in love with me? Is that really what this trip was for? The kiss? The shopping? The dates. Oh no, if probably just overreacting. 

“I need a drink.” I said impulsively.

“Wait here.” He said, walking into the beach bistro and I stared at his back view. 

When he disappeared into the building, I turned around to face the beach. There were many couples by the beach, it seemed to be a popular spot. 

There was music playing in the background, Caribbean style and most people were moving their bodies to the rhythm. It was contagious.

Before I could catch myself, I was bobbing my head from side to side.

“Here.” Damon reappeared with a drink in hand.

I took the drink from him and had a cool refreshing sip. Everything felt so much better. 

“Want to dance?”

“What?” 

“Did I stutter?” Damon asked, dropongo our drinks and moving me closer to the shore. 

Salsa is one dance step I'd never understood but Damon made it look so simple. I moved along with him and he held my hands, guiding my every move.

“You're annoyingly good at everything. How can a billionaire dance salsa? That's unfair.”

Damon chuckles, “You say that as if it's some sort of taboo.”

“Because it is. You should be a boring nerd with zero social skills.”

“Oh, I am. I just become a totally different person when you're around. Even I can't help it.”

After that we did less talking and more laughing. Damon kept mocking my silly moves and found it very funny. 

Until, “I’m hungry. I think we've danced enough. It's time to dine.” I winked.

With that, Damon led me into the restaurant. It has a very warm and cozy feel, although as if I was in my own house, except for the other peering eyes around us.

We ordered our meals and engaged in small talk while we ate. There was a man seated adjacent to our table, behind Damon. He was staring and he didn't start now. He'd been staring since I walked in with Damon. But I ignored him again, just like I had done all night.

The waiter returned and was saying something. I raised my head to return when my eyes met the eyes of the man behind Damon. He winked and I was shocked, giving him an incredulous look.

Really, what was he hitting on me when he could clearly see I was with someone else?

I shifted my gaze quickly so Damon wouldn't notice but it was too late. He hadn't only noticed but he was also no longer seated in front of me. He'd left the table.

Damon was hovering over the guy from earlier, scaring his pretty face with a deathly blow and people were gathered.

I trembled with fear unsure of what to do.

“Get off him!” I screamed and everyone turned their gaze on me.