Chapter 68

DAMON

Clara and I spent the whole night talking, snuggled in each other's arms. I couldn't help but let out a sigh of contentment. This felt right; this felt great.

I didn't even realize when I fell asleep, but when I woke up, it was the next morning, and the maids had already begun packing our things. I noticed Clara was still sleeping in my arms. I didn't want to wake her, but she'd want to bathe before we left.

"Clara," I called softly.

She groaned, snuggling closer, and I chuckled, unable to resist kissing her.

"You're cute, but we need to leave and go home," I murmured, caressing her head. She sighed.

"Can't you just carry me home without waking me? I'm tired, and my body aches," she murmured, pouting.

After signing the papers, I carried Clara to the car.

"Where's Aunt Amelia?" Clara asked as I settled into the backseat with her in my arms.

"She went back with my parents and will stay there as long as she wants," I murmured. I expected her to be happy, but instead, she frowned.

"Why can't she stay with us? There's plenty of room in our home," she murmured. I couldn't help but smile. She was finally calling it our home.

"Baby, I'm sorry, but you're the only one I can tolerate sometimes," I murmured. She rolled her eyes.

"If she won't stay with us, take me back to that small house; she'll stay with me there," Clara threatened. I scoffed. This woman!

"I could burn down that house, and you'd have nowhere else to go, you know that, right?" I murmured. She scoffed.

"Jokes on you, Aunt Amelia has houses scattered around the world. She may look small, but she's mighty," Clara bragged. I sighed.

"Why can't she just stay with my parents? She'll be well taken care of there, and she'll be with people her own age. Do you want her butting into everything we do?" I asked. She sighed.

"Aunt Amelia isn't like that. She's very cool," Clara muttered. I raised an eyebrow.

"So, what if I want to have sex with you in the kitchen, dining room, or living room? Are you okay with her watching us, because I am!" I muttered. Luca cleared his throat, and Delilah made a gagging sound.

Clara's cheeks turned pink, and she glared at me.

"We don't have to have sex in those places, Damon," she said. I shrugged.

"I can't control myself around you. Whenever I want it, no matter the place or who's watching, I'll get it. As a matter of fact, I want it right now," I murmured, about to lean down when three voices screamed at once.

"Just let her stay with my parents!" Delilah screamed. Clara groaned.

"Alright, fine, you win this time," she murmured. I grinned.

"If it makes you feel any better, she can stay at our home during the day, but she can't sleep there, okay?" I said. She sighed and nodded.

"Okay," she murmured. I held her closer as Luca drove us home.

"Home sweet home," I murmured, leading Clara into the house. She glanced around slowly before turning to me.

"It feels like I haven't been here in so long," she murmured. I smiled and kissed her.

"This home is yours as much as it is mine," I murmured. She smiled.

"And Alicia, what did you guys do to her?" she asked. I knew that question was coming.

"I took care of her, so don't worry about it," I murmured. She frowned.

"You… you killed her?" she asked. I snorted.

"I wish! I really wanted to, but my parents wouldn't let me. Something about her being family—bullshit. Anyway, she's locked up in the dungeon and will be there as long as I see fit. Don't worry about her, okay? Let's go inside so you can rest," I murmured, picking her up despite her protest and carrying her upstairs.

We passed her old room before reaching mine. I set her down as the doors opened. She walked in first and gasped, turning to me with wide eyes.

"What did you do?" she asked softly. I smiled.

"Well, since it's going to be our room now, it wouldn't be nice if it had only my personality, so I took some design elements from that small house and added them here. Don't you like it?" I asked. She nodded, tears in her eyes.

"This is so sweet, thank you. Did you get a lesson from Luca on how to be romantic?" she asked. I frowned.

"I'm sorry, did you just say from Luca?" I asked. She nodded.

"Yes, because Luca is more romantic than you," she muttered. I was about to get angry when I saw the mischievous look in her eyes and knew she was teasing me.

I moved closer, giving her no room to breathe, grabbed her face, and stared down at her.

"Do you want me to punish you, little devil? Because your words pissed me off, regardless of whether it was a joke or not," I muttered, staring into her eyes. She smirked.

"And how exactly are you going to punish me? You won't have sex with me because I'm not fully healed, right?" she murmured seductively, her hand settling on my groin.

"Yes, I'll still punish you with sex, but since you're not better yet…" I trailed off and began tickling her.

"Damon! Stop!" she cried between laughs. I doubled my efforts.

"Oh my God! I'm going to pee my pants if you continue!" she cried. I grinned.

"Then tell me what you said about Luca is a lie. Apologize to me," I murmured.

"Never!" she uttered stubbornly. I chuckled, pushed her onto the bed, climbed on top of her, and continued tickling her.

"Okay, I'm sorry!" she yelled.

"And?" I urged, still tickling her.

"Luca is not more romantic than you. You're the most romantic man I've ever met," she cried. I stopped, leaning down until our noses touched.

"Even more romantic than Liam?" I asked softly. She nodded without hesitation.

"Yes, you're more romantic than Liam," she murmured. I grinned and kissed her.

She arched her back, and I groaned, my hands roaming her body hungrily. I wanted her so much.

"I don't want to go, but I have to," I murmured. She froze, pulling away to stare at me with wide eyes.

"Where are you going?" she asked. I sighed, resting on my elbows above her.

"I have a war to win and a message to pass…"