6. Dane
6
DANE
Celeste leaves with her brother, and I shut the door behind them, resting my head against the solid wood with a groan of frustration. My cock is throbbing, and I can still feel my heartbeat in my ears. The desire is so strong that I have to grit my teeth, struggling to fight against it.
Goddammit.
I was so close. So close to kissing her. One more moment and I would have claimed that pretty mouth and said fuck the consequences. It would have been worth it. A taste of that sweet angel would be worth more than anything.
I take a few deep breaths and straighten up, rubbing a hand over my face, when I suddenly hear voices drifting from somewhere nearby. Frowning, I follow the noise into my bedroom, where the window is cracked open. I peer through the glass and see Celeste and her brother facing each other, looking pissed. It’s hard to make out what they’re saying, but I strain my ears, listening hard.
“What is your problem with him?” I hear Celeste snap. The rest of her words are harder to hear, but I catch most of them. “If…because of his scars…he’s a veteran…combat…you shouldn’t judge?—”
They’re obviously talking about me, and when Dane cuts in, his words are forceful.
“It’s…with…damn scars. I…don’t like him, okay? He reminds me of Dad.”
Celeste’s response is scathing. “He’s nothing like Dad! How can you say…don’t even know him!”
Brody’s next response is so muffled that I can’t make it out at all, and a second later, Celeste marches away from him, disappearing into the trees. He follows her, head bowed, and when they’re both out of sight, I sit on my bed and think over what I just heard.
He reminds me of Dad.
I know nothing about Celeste’s father, but Brody’s words didn’t sound like a compliment. The guy obviously doesn’t trust me, and I’m not his biggest fan right now either. But hell, how can I blame him for being protective? If I had a little sister, I wouldn’t want her dating a grumpy old man either. Celeste is nearly half my age, and there’s something so damn sweet and innocent about her. I can understand why Brody wants to keep her safe, even if he’s turning into a real pain in my ass.
But what strikes me most of all about their conversation is how Celeste defended me. When her brother criticized me, she was upset enough to walk off and leave him behind. And that’s why I can’t let her go. That’s why Brody’s approval doesn’t mean shit. Celeste had my back. She stood up for me even though she didn’t know I was listening, and that makes her pretty damn special. I’m so used to people flinching when they see me, assuming the worst because of my scars. But not Celeste…
Fuck, I miss her already.
I run a hand through my beard as I get up and walk back into the living room, my head spinning with thoughts. I pause when I see a familiar book sitting on the table, bound in dark green leather, the title embossed in gold.
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.
Celeste must have forgotten to take it after her brother arrived, and as I look at the book, an idea forms in my mind. My heart thuds in anticipation. This is the perfect opportunity to see her again. I’ll take the book over to Brody’s cabin and give it to her.
But no…
Fuck, that’s not enough.
I need more. So much more than these little snatches of time before Celeste has to hurry back to her brother. I need to get her alone somehow, without Brody hovering in the background and waiting for her to come home.
Then an idea strikes me.
Heading for the closet in the hallway, I grab a sheet of writing paper, my jaw set with determination. I sit at the table and stare at the blank page, my pen poised to write. But I’m not good with words, and the last thing I want to do is freak this angel out. Hell, just because she defended me to her brother doesn’t mean she has feelings for me. I’m still just a disfigured old soldier who’s twice her age.
But fuck, I have to do something.
I would never forgive myself if she left before I had a chance to see her again. A chance to talk to her. So, I start to write…then cross it all out. I try again. And again. Eventually, the table is covered in screwed up bits of paper, and I heave a sigh, banging my fist on the wood. Everything I write sounds wrong. I can’t put my feelings down on paper—it doesn’t feel natural. So instead, I keep things simple. I write a few lines, then reread the finished note several times before opening The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and slipping it onto the page just before Chapter 2. Ironically, the first words of the chapter title are “strong temptations”, and I let out a huff of breath, half laugh, half groan.
Celeste is a strong temptation alright.
I force myself to wait a few hours before heading over with the book, hoping the argument with her brother will have cooled down by then. I don’t want to give Celeste more shit to deal with by showing up in the middle of a fight, and by the time I leave my cabin, it’s almost five o’clock. The sunlight is turning golden, making everything soft and dreamy as I walk through the woods, clasping the book in my hands.
When I reach Brody’s cabin, I knock on the door, my throat tight with anticipation. Just knowing I’m about to see her again is enough to make my body go haywire.
I swear she’s turning me into a goddamn teenager.
The door opens, and I feel a pang of disappointment when I see Brody appear. He doesn’t look happy to see me, either.
“Yeah?” he says.
“Here to see Celeste.” I hold up the book. “I forgot to give her this.”
Over Brody’s shoulder, I see Celeste peering toward the doorway, and the sight of her pretty face is like sunshine bathing my skin, warming me all over. It’s only been a few hours since I last saw her, but it feels like so much longer.
Fuck, I’m definitely losing my mind.
“Dane?” she says in that pretty little voice, smiling as she joins her brother at the door.
“Hi.” I clear my throat, holding out the book. “Came to give you this.”
Her eyes twinkle as she takes it. “Thank you! I totally forgot.”
“Make sure you read Chapter 2,” I tell her. “It’s my favorite part.”
I hold her gaze for a beat too long, ignoring Brody, and she nods. “Of course! Thanks again for letting me borrow it. It’s been on my to-read list forever.”
There’s a brief pause, and Brody cuts in.
“Thanks for stopping by.” He nods curtly. “See you around.”
He’s already starting to close the door.
“Bye,” Celeste says, looking reluctant. “Thanks again for the book, Dane.”
I barely have time to say my own hasty goodbye before the door snaps shut. I stare at it for a few seconds, my jaw tight. Part of me wants to tear the damn thing off its hinges and pull Celeste into my arms, like I’ve wanted to do since the minute I saw her. But I can’t push her away by acting like a damn caveman. For now, there’s nothing left for me to do but go home and hope like hell she sees the note. If not, I’ll figure something else out. I’m not giving up on this girl, and if breaking a door down is what it takes to make her mine, that can be Plan B.