A/N: I appreciate the reviews, Reilly Black, ceruleanvixen, ailuj14, and Can't-life-be-easy. It's a wonderful thing to get positive feedback. Never be afraid to give me constructive criticism either. I'm always open to anything that will improve my writing. Many thanks to Problem Child1 for being a patient and thorough beta and to Trouble and she know it for all her help when I'm stressed out.
I'm not the most prolific writer but, I love getting a chance to express myself. Thanks again for all the follows, favorites and reviews. Enjoy Chapter 2.
Chapter 2 – Are You Ready?
A clap of a car door intrudes on our slow reunion. Feet on the walk, steps on the porch. A swift move rolls my body out to his side and I reach for the knob.
"Hey, Bonnie. You're early." Opening the door before she can respond.
"No, I'm not. I'm actually running late."
A quick glance at Damon connects our gazes. A slowly spreading smile becomes a grin, then a laugh, as we acknowledge our distraction.
Bonnie's quizzical, "What's so funny?" sparks another quick laugh before replying.
"Don't ask." A knowledgeable heat in Damon's eyes pushes a blush up my body and into my cheeks.
Dragging my focus back to Bonnie, "Head upstairs. I'll help you with Jeremy's things." A fast kiss to Damon's cheek as I glide my arm around to push off from his chest. His nod of encouragement gets me moving to follow Bonnie up the stairs.
Sudden fear halts my ascent. A quick glance back just to ensure he's still here. The reassurance on his face is enough. I hurry to catch Bonnie knowing his eyes are tracking my exit.
Once inside Jeremy's room I turn my attention to finishing the packing.
"You look happy," comes Bonnie's soft observation. "It suits you."
"Every day I reminded him that I miss him. And every night, when he didn't reply, I curled up in bed and cried myself to sleep." My small sad smile transforms at the sounds of Damon waiting downstairs.
"He showed up and he held me and all I can be is happy."
Abruptly Bonnie hugs me tight. A faint whisper in my ear, "You should tell him."
Twisting my head to reply just as low in her ear, "He's not ready."
Releasing her, I add the last stack of shirts, "Is that everything?"
Her eyes survey the room and settle on his desk. Moving to trace her fingers through the dust overlaying his sketch pad, Bonnie abruptly turns to face me. Her reply has nothing to do with my question, "Are you ready?"
A content, confident smile lights my face as I answer with all my heart, "Yes. I am."
Her smile tells me that she, at least, can be happy for us. A last minute inspiration, no doubt due to my unexpected visitor, has me adding Jeremy's sketch pad and pencils to the closest bag. Zipping the bags, I drag them off the bed before we head for the door. As we move down the stairs, I have to say one more thing, "Thank you. You've been so great. I wouldn't have made it without you. "
"That's what friends are for." Her comment makes me wish all my friends believed that.
As she goes to open the front door, "Remind him to rest and have some fun," comes as a quiet directive from behind us. Slipping in close, Damon slides the bags from my hands and takes them out to Bonnie's car.
"You have fun this weekend, too. Tell Jer I miss him," while hugging Bonnie one last time.
Damon reappears on the porch with a bag in hand. His. Seeing the question Damon responds with my favorite flirty smile and that eye-thing. The knowledge that he plans to stay drives me to ask Bonnie for a favor.
Transferring my attention to her, "Can you text Caroline for me? Tell her I'll be busy this weekend, but the rules still apply?"
Her knowing look motivates me to look at Damon. His eloquent expression tells me that he understands that I'm keeping things from him, but will let it go for now. Thank goodness.
"I don't want any misunderstandings, Bonnie. You know one of them will be tempted to try my resolve."
"Okay. I'll remind both of them while I'm at it. You've earned a respite."
My sigh a blatant sign of relief. "Thanks, Bonnie. For everything." Bonnie nods at Damon as she passes, giving him a brief smile of thanks, then walks to her car, fishing out her phone. Watching her compose a quick text before she starts the car, gives me a moment to prepare.
Shifting my gaze to Damon, again standing in my doorway, I hesitate. I'm stuck on the edge of hope and fear, desire and grief, unable to move or speak.
Damon knows me so well.
The moment Bonnie drives away, Damon moves. Stepping over the threshold, he tosses his bag into the corner. Hands on my hips; gliding my body backward, he kicks the door shut. My movement is arrested as abruptly as it started.
As he cups my face, all thought stops. His fingers tilt my chin up. My lips part at the first brush of his thumb. I watch his tongue dart out to moisten his lips and can't resist. I grab the collar of his jacket and pull my mouth up to meet his. The crush of soft lips and hot breath as I angle for greater contact. A soft hungry sound from Damon's throat as my tongue thrusts between his lips.
A blur of motion lands us on the living room couch with his hands drawing my hips down to rock against his. No more slow greeting, just long-denied desire. Lips melding, arms reaching to cup my head and glide over my back, as I weave my fingers into his soft hair. Frantic, desperate kisses give way to slow, drawn-out caresses of lips and tongues. Ragged breathing and whimpers of need are the only sounds I make.