In the morning I awoke wrapped up in his embrace. He was a deep sleeper once he finally settled down enough to relax. Once asleep he would be unreachable for a few hours while he repaired any damage to his body or simply rejuvenated himself. If I was in bed with him, I was trapped until he awakened. His grip was always the tightest during those few hours and when I had been with him in the past, I used those hours to sleep deeply. I was out of practice.
I lay awake for hours as I waited for him to finally allow me to use the bathroom. As I lay there, staring at the canopy of my bed I was struck by how out of sorts he seemed. I didn't think my memory was playing too many tricks on me but he seemed off. His usual domineering self was still there but for moments he seemed almost...tender. I knew I was romanticizing the relationship but I couldn't help but notice every little difference in him.
He nuzzled my hair as he awoke and I heard him murmur my name softly. I rolled over to face him and found him watching me closely. He met my lips in a soft kiss before rolling me under him. I made a soft sound of surprise when he nuzzled my neck, tickling my chin with his hair.
"Ticklish?" he asked. When I replied he smiled darkly before resuming his tortuous movements. He was playful this morning and I wondered what had brought on this behavior. Damon was rarely playful and when he was it was even rarer to be kind. Usually he would get angry if I didn't react the way he wanted me to but today he seemed open to playing.
"Damon, stop that," I finally demanded when he moved lower to tickle my collarbone. He looked up at me surprised. I rarely said 'no' and it confused him. He crawled back up my body to press a kiss against my forehead.
"Eggs," he finally said. "You'll have two eggs and some bacon."
"I don't like bacon," I replied.
"Then sausage. You're eating," he commanded before swinging himself off the bed. He moved across the room to the closet, tugging open the door, and grabbing a set of his clothes. He strode over to me and pulled me to my feet, holding me an arm's length away. His eyes roamed over my body greedily, assessing it for imperfections.
"Do I pass?" I finally asked.
"You need more food," he replied. His hands slipped to my hips and I watched as he tilted them towards him. "Your curves are gone."
"Well thank you so much," I said with an eye roll.
"Watch it," he shot back. "I'm not in the mood for your back-talk.
"Well I'm not in the mood for your insane need for control!" I fired back.
He glared at me for a few minutes before pushing me back towards the bed. I stumbled against the mattress and tried to right myself before he was on me. I got on my knees and watched as he walked to the door, for the lock surely. Instead he opened the door and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
By the time he returned six hours later I was in the library, trying to distract myself from the oddness of being back in the Manor. He stormed in loudly and I looked up at him as he ripped the book from my hands. I was pressed to the couch as he towered over me, practically breathing fire.
"You will not do that again," he stated. I paused and watched him for a few minutes as his chest heaved in anger. I reached up slowly and he reached out to bat my hands away. I dodged his movements successfully before touching his cheek carefully.
"You're hurt," I said with wonder. I'd never seen him bleed before and the small cut seemed unreal. The redness was already drying but I felt it bead under my fingertip. "What happened?"
"It's nothing," he replied. "Do you understand me?"
"Yes Damon," I consented. "What happened?"
"It's nothing and we won't talk about it," he stated. He lifted my hand from his cheek and returned it to my lap before sitting down beside me. "You are not to leave the house."
"Were you attacked?" I asked softly. No one in this town would attack him and it was unlikely someone would be stupid enough to encroach on his territory. He probably just brawled with Tyler to let off some steam but something about the way he held himself seemed off.
"You will stay in the house," he said again. When I tried to argue with him, he pulled me into his lap and held my face tightly. His eyes dilated and I tried to fight him. "You will not leave this house."
"No..." I whispered. "No..."
"Now go eat dinner," he said as he placed me back on the couch. "I'll see you tonight.
I waited until he was out of the room before racing to the library doors. I opened them and looked out at the breeze ruffling the trees. I stuck my hand out to grab one of the floating leaves and cried out when it hit an invisible wall.
Trapped.
