Chapter 90

Clara

The doctor rushed into the room. Luca grabbed my hand, pulling me aside so I wouldn't hinder him. Although I knew Damon would be alright, I couldn't help worrying.

"Why wasn't he rushed to the hospital? Why did he come here injured?" I asked. Luca sighed.

"Delilah told us you knew the date was a bait. He worried you wouldn't forgive him, wouldn't talk to him anymore. That's why he got hurt. As soon as we arrived, I tried taking him to the doctor, but he wanted to talk to you first, make sure everything was okay. He wouldn't listen, so I let him go, with the doctor on standby," Luca said. Guilt gnawed at me.

He'd been injured because of me, and he'd rushed to me, injured, to make sure I wasn't angry. He'd told me he loved me, and I…

"I'm such a fool," I murmured. Luca sighed.

"No, you're not. Your anger is justified. Just be patient with Damon. He really loves and cares for you. He's never felt this way about anyone before. That's why he's trying so hard. He's always been a loner; the goddess knows how hard I had to fight to get him to let me in, even a little. He's new to these feelings, but I assure you, he never means to hurt you," Luca murmured. Tears slid down my cheeks.

"He couldn't stop gushing about how perfect your date was. When he talked about you, his eyes lit up. I've never seen him so happy. I know you love him too, Clara. Anyone can see that. I hope you'll shower him with as much love as he gives you," Luca said. I remained silent, crying quietly.

Soon, the doctor finished dressing Damon's wound, assuring us he'd wake soon; the wound was almost healed.

After the doctor left, I assured Luca I could look after Damon. After some arguing, he relented and left, though I knew he was just outside the door.

I gently got into bed with Damon. I tried watching him all night, but soon fell asleep. I awoke to someone poking my cheek.

I opened my eyes and saw Damon peering down at me, poking my cheek with his finger.

"You're finally awake. I thought you'd died," he murmured. I frowned, slapping his hand away and trying to get out of bed. He wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me closer.

"Damon, stop. You might open your wound," I began, but he interrupted.

"Tell me you didn't mean what you said last night, Clara. You love me, don't you? You didn't mean that, right?" The plea in his voice made me smile.

"Damon…"

"Clara, please tell me you didn't mean it. Do you know I fainted, not because of the injury, but because of what you said? Even unconscious, I couldn't stop thinking about it," he murmured. I rolled my eyes.

"Now you're just being dramatic, Damon," I murmured. He pouted.

"I'm not, my love. You're not allowed to not love me. You have to love me," he murmured. I scoffed.

"Have to?" He nodded confidently.

"There's no other option. You either love me, or love me, because I love you, and I'm never going to stop loving you."

"Oh, shut up," I murmured, pressing my lips to his. He growled contentedly, deepening the kiss.

I pulled away, and he rested his forehead against mine.

"Does that mean you love me?" he asked softly. I giggled. Never had I imagined Damon acting like a lovesick puppy, especially for me.

"Yes, I love you, and it's damn obvious. You're just blind," I murmured. I shrieked as he wrapped his arms around me, peppering my face and neck with kisses.

"You have no idea how happy that makes me. I'm sorry about everything, Clara, but I want you to know I'll always remember last night as one of the best nights of my life. I wanted to tell you I loved you so many times last night. I almost shouted it into the microphone," he murmured. I giggled.

"It's so weird seeing you like this, Damon. What happened to the jerk, sarcastic, narcissistic Damon I knew?" I asked jokingly. His expression turned serious, but I could see him trying not to laugh.

"This side of me is only for your eyes. Not a word of this to anyone, or you'll ruin my reputation," he murmured. I hummed.

"I don't know, I kind of want everyone to know I tamed their big bad Alpha," I said.

"I'm the Death Viper, Clara. I doubt anyone will believe you, but you can try," he muttered. I raised an eyebrow. Did he just dare me?

"Is that a challenge?" I murmured, watching his eyes trail down to my lips.

"I don't know, you tell me," he murmured before slamming his lips onto mine. He quickly got on top of me. I moaned as he fondled my breast.

"Shall we continue from where we left off last night?" he asked, his voice thick with desire.

He bent down to kiss me again when I flicked his forehead. He groaned in pain. I escaped his grasp and got out of bed.

"Why?" he asked simply. I folded my arms.

"I'm still mad at you for using our date as bait, even though I understand," I murmured. He sighed, sitting up.

"How can I make it up to you? I'll do anything," he murmured.

"Did the plan work? Did you catch them?" I asked softly. His face turned serious.

"Yes, and I'm going to make every last one of them pay for disrupting our perfect evening…"

12:06 Tue, 2 Jul