Damon's arm tightens around my waist, pulling me closer to him as I stir from sleep. The warmth of his embrace is both comforting and disorienting, a stark contrast to the events of the past few days. I should be panicking, but there's something oddly reassuring about his presence.
"You're awake," Damon's voice breaks through the haze of sleep, prompting me to open my eyes. The realization hits me like a ton of bricks—I'm not in my room, and Damon Salvatore is right beside me. My heart races with a mixture of fear and confusion.
"Isabella, stop struggling and stay still," Damon's words cut through my thoughts, his tone familiar yet tinged with annoyance. "I saved your ass yesterday. The least you could do is let me sleep."
Suddenly, it all clicks into place—the abduction, Pearl's threats, and the revelation about vampires in Mystic Falls. And here I am, in bed with one of them.
"Bella," Damon's voice rumbles against my neck, and I freeze, realizing the precariousness of our situation. "Stop squirming."
I comply, albeit reluctantly, my mind racing with questions. "Damon, where am I?" I finally manage to ask.
"Here," he replies, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
"And that is?"
"In my bed."
"Why?"
"Because I like you here," he retorts with a smirk.
Sighing, I turn to face him, struggling against the weight of exhaustion. Damon's features are softened in sleep, his disheveled hair adding to his charm. Without thinking, I reach out and gently cup his cheek, eliciting a reaction I didn't expect.
His eyes snap open, meeting mine with a mixture of surprise and vulnerability. It's a fleeting moment of intimacy, and I can't help but feel a rush of emotion.
"Bella," he sighs, pressing his head against my hand. "I'm so fucking happy you're okay."
"Hmm…me too," I murmur, unable to suppress a small smile.
"Don't be a smartass, Just-a-Girl," Damon chides playfully. "We're having a moment. I don't have many of those."
I laugh softly, the sound echoing in the quiet room. Then, a realization hits me—despite the ordeal I've been through, I feel surprisingly well-rested and pain-free.
"Damon…" I start, hesitating as I search for the right words.
"That sounds like a we-have-a-problem voice. Please tell me it isn't," he quips, his smirk fading slightly.
"Damon…" I repeat, my voice trailing off. "How the hell am I healed?"
His grin widens, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
