Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
Damien
When I’d first heard the knock on my hotel room, a dozen scenarios had flashed through my head.
The first being that one of the guys needed to borrow something.
The second, that perhaps Cadence’s idea of crazed fans stalking me had finally come true.
But none of them included Cadence herself, showing up.
Seeing her standing there, all disheveled and tired from traveling, had solidified my all-consuming need for her.
I’d come to terms with how much it had hurt when she’d pulled away from me. I even thought the boundaries she’d put up between us would diminish the undeniable attraction we had.
But I’d been wrong. I still wanted her just as much as before. And seeing her there, unsure and vulnerable, had me at the end of my rope. She’d come through. She’d made the effort. She wanted me. And I would be lying if I said that didn’t feel fucking amazing.
It hadn’t taken long for us to finally give in to that all-consuming desperation to rip each other’s clothes off that had been building since the day we met. Leading me to one of the best nights of my life. Yeah… I said it.
The chemistry between the two of us was incomprehensible. Like she was an extension of myself. I’d move, and Cadence was one step ahead of me, bringing both of us to the peak of our pleasure.
Even with Vanessa, things had never been that dynamic.
I’d slept like a damn baby with a full tummy during the small amount of sleep I did manage to get. I’d been completely relaxed with her, and it’d been so long since I’d been able to cuddle anyone.
God. Don’t even get me started on the morning sex.
The way her tight pussy gripped my dick as she rode me would follow me to the grave. And those breathy little moans she made as she neared her orgasm… I was hard just thinking about it.
But now, we faced an entire day where we could do anything we wanted, and suddenly my nerves began to buzz like gnats in the summer. I had no trouble fucking her brains out but having to impress her and show her a good time, that intimidated me.
For a fleeting moment, I was a pre-teen once again. Nervousness crept in, fear that now that she’d had me, she’d lose interest. It had been so long since I actually dated anyone, did I even remember how? Did you forget those things?
What the fuck is wrong with me?
I took in a shallow breath, willing myself to calm down as I ran pomade through my hair and spritzed my cologne.
I walked out of the ensuite bathroom and was hit with an appreciation for the stunning creature before me.
Cadence was leaning close to the full-size mirror next to the desk, putting her mascara over her eyelashes. She was effortlessly beautiful, dressed in skinny jeans and a white lacy top. Her dark brown hair fell loose past her shoulders, styled straight today.
Approaching her from behind, I placed my hands on her hips and pressed my body against hers, letting her feel the semi that was pretty much a constant in her presence. I pressed my lips to her ear and wrapped my arms around her middle. “You look gorgeous.”
I could smell her perfume again, the same one I remembered so vividly from when we first started whatever this was. Apples…
She gave me a once over in the mirror, her gaze flicking from my distressed jeans to my black t-shirt. “Thank you. You don’t look so bad yourself, handsome.”
I placed light kisses on her shoulder, then moved up her neck and gently nibbled on her ear. “Are you sure we have to leave? We can enjoy Los Angeles from here.”
She laughed. “While that is an extremely tempting offer, I’ve never been to LA before and I’m excited to see it. We won’t have time to explore after this afternoon.”
“I’m surprised that you know so much about our schedule, but the fact that you’re here means you have insider information.”
“I’m getting all my stuff from Jade. You should ask her who she’s in cahoots with.”
“You didn’t ask her?”
“Honestly, I assumed it was you at first.”
“Hmm… Do I sense a bit of jealousy there?”
She turned, facing me. “There used to be. But not anymore.”
“So, you just want me all to yourself?”
Leaning into me, she pressed her mouth against mine, opening her lips slightly and brushing her tongue against mine. “Am I succeeding?”
“Abso-fucking-lutely.” I grabbed her neck, tilting her head for better access.
After a moment, she pulled back. “Can you put away the sex appeal for like five minutes? You’re making it hard to think about anything else.”
I ground my pelvis into her, but this time my dick was rock solid. “Right back at ‘cha, sweets. Can you control yourself?”
Her smile, big and beautiful, brought light to her eyes and revealed cute little dimples that only appeared in moments of real happiness. Among the countless smiles I’d encountered, hers was the most hypnotizing. She captivated me with her authenticity.
“I’ll do my best.” She gave me a quick kiss before moving to grab her purse from the floor. “It was Colton, by the way. And the Uber should be here in about five minutes.”
I paused, tilting my head with a frown. “I did not see that one coming.”
I shouldn’t have been surprised when she grabbed my hand as we walked down the hall to the elevator. Such a simple act, but somehow, it felt like so much more.
This was my first time visiting LA, too, and I wasn’t sure if I ever wanted to return.
The traffic. Holy shit, the traffic.
How did anyone get anywhere in a timely manner? It would have been quicker for me to get out and walk.
But eventually, we made it down Highway 1 and to the beach because, for some reason, Cadence—who lived on the Atlantic Ocean—asked to see the Pacific.
“It’s gorgeous!” she yelled, sprinting toward the water, throwing her shoes and kicking up sand behind her.
Watching as she ran, arms open and laughing, it looked like she was having the best day of her life. It filled me with something I hadn’t felt for a long time.
Peace.
Contentment.
Joy.
I was completely at ease, and in the back of my head, that scared me. The last time I’d been like this, opened up to someone, it had ended badly.
I didn’t let just anyone into my circle.
Sure, I was open and friendly on the outside, but I kept pieces of myself locked away from the world. It kept me safe, and it unnerved me to know she had wiggled her way in without me even realizing it.
Especially knowing she’d pulled away from me before…
“Come on!” she yelled again as the wind whipped her locks around her head. “What are you waiting for?”
Exhaling, I ran my hand through my hair. I didn’t have an answer. So, I peeled off my boots and socks and left them in the sand as I followed her, pushing aside those insecurities screaming to be heard.
We played cat and mouse, me trying to catch her, before we pulled the bottoms of our jeans up and stepped into the ocean. The water was freezing, which gave me an idea.
I tilted my head toward Cadence.
“Don’t you dare!” She took a step back from me.
“Don’t what?” I followed her, a mischievous grin plastered on my face.
“Damien… I swear… Don’t! I’m wearing white and you know I don’t like to be cold.”
“Oh, don’t worry baby girl, I’ll make sure to warm you back up.”
She shrieked as I flung water at her, droplets settling on her shirt and creating little see-through circles.
“Oh. It’s on.”
She tried to splash me, but I was quicker than her. After all, I was over a foot taller than her, with much longer legs. I moved out of the way with ease, as laughter surrounded us.
When she finally gave up on her revenge, we walked to where we’d left our shoes. Falling onto the sand, we sat side by side as she leaned against my shoulder. We listened to the sound of the waves and watched the other beachgoers as they moseyed by.
I was hyperaware of every part of her body that touched mine. I looked down at her as the sun kissed her skin, making her cheeks naturally rosy. She fit against me perfectly. Creating a fire deep in stomach that wanted to burn bigger and brighter in her presence.
“Why was it so important for you to see the ocean? You live by the ocean.” I needed to understand her, learn as much as I could about her.
“Yeah, but not this ocean.” She paused. “It’s hard to imagine that there is an entire other side of the US that I’ve never seen.
It makes me feel so small, and I dream of seeing more.
I want to travel the country, travel the world.
One day, I’d like to say I’ve stepped into dozens of oceans, in dozens of countries. So, I have to start somewhere.”
“I want to travel too. To see other cultures and explore the deep history that lies in other parts of the world.”
“Something we have in common.”
“Besides our desire to rip each other’s clothes off? How ‘bout that.”
She chuckled. “We have a lot more in common than that, and you know it.”
I grunted in agreement. “Hungry? Why don’t we head down to Santa Monica Pier and grab something to eat?” I suggested, grabbing her hand. It was close to lunchtime and we’d skipped breakfast in favor of feeding ourselves in other ways.
“Okay.” Her words were soft and breathless as she looked up at me.
We picked up our shoes and walked along the beach toward the pier, our fingers laced together.
After walking to the end of the pier, we settled on a Mexican restaurant that overlooked the ocean, choosing to sit outside next to the glittering water. Cadence was all smiles as she looked over her menu.
It was truly amazing. In all the time I’d spent with her before, I’d never seen her this carefree. Was it possible that Elijah had done that to her? Had he made her feel so boxed in that she was never herself?
The more of this Cadence I was seeing, the more I was pulled into her orbit. How could anyone want to snuff out this vibrant star.
“Hi there!” A young girl approached our table wearing all black under her apron. “What can I get you two to drink?”
“I’ll have a strawberry margarita, please.” Cadence smiled at the waitress.
“I’ll just have water.”