Chapter 96 - CLARA -

My eyelashes fluttered open, and the first thing I saw was Damon's face above mine. He stared down at me with a frown. "How long have you been up?" I questioned. I was about to reach out to him when he slapped my hand away. "Ouch! Why did you do that?" I asked, my eyes wide with confusion.

"Because you left me," he murmured. I furrowed my eyebrows. "Left you? What are you talking about?"

"In my dream, you left me for another man," he growled. I snorted and rolled my eyes. "It was just a dream. Why are you so serious about it? I have to pee," I mumbled, starting to climb out of bed. He pulled me back.

"You can't leave me. I won't allow it. You're not allowed to leave me," he said. I frowned. "Why are you so worked up? It was just a dream; it wasn't real."

"It felt real to me, Clara. Everything felt real, and I won't allow it. No matter what, you're mine," he murmured. Seeing the seriousness in his eyes—the usual playfulness gone—I knew this was no joking matter. This dream had truly shaken him. I grabbed his face with both hands and stared into his eyes.

"It was just a dream. I'm still here, aren't I? I'm not going anywhere, okay?" I murmured softly. He pursed his lips. "I tried calling you, but you ignored me because of him. I couldn't…"

"It wasn't real, Damon. You're the only man I love, the only man I want to be with. I love you, and I don't plan on leaving you," I murmured, wrapping my arms around his shoulders. He hugged me tightly—so tightly I almost couldn't breathe.

"I don't want to make you angry or sad anymore. I want to be the reason for your smile, the reason for your happiness," he said. I kissed the side of his head. "You've done a good job so far. I love you."

"I love you," he replied. We stayed in each other's arms for a while. I couldn't help but wonder what I had done in his dream that bothered him so much.

Afterward, we went to take a bath, intending to start our day, but ended up spending two hours there because Damon couldn't keep his hands off me. He poured all his emotions into making love to me; afterward, I could barely feel anything between my legs. I wasn't complaining, though.

That whole day, Damon was clingier than usual. He wanted to be by my side constantly. I even had to accompany him and Luca to his company. He made me sit next to him during his board meeting. From time to time, he stopped listening, focused all his attention on me, and kept asking if I was okay or hungry. It was awkward, especially with the surprised looks from everyone. I didn't know if they were surprised by his behavior or the fact that he was acting like a lovesick puppy—very unlike his usual reputation. Damon didn't seem to care.

He adjourned the meeting quickly and took me to his large office, which occupied the entire top floor. As soon as we were inside, I glared at him, hands on my hips. "What's going on with you?"

He blinked innocently. "What are you talking about?"

"You've been extra clingy today. What's that about?"

He feigned ignorance. "I don't know what you're talking about." I groaned and turned to Luca, who was standing behind Damon. "Can you please explain to him how he's been acting all day?"

Luca sighed. "Not to be rude, but you've been acting like an obsessive puppy—even more obsessive than usual."

"Don't speak! This is between me and my wife," Damon growled. Luca raised his hands in surrender, while I gasped at Damon. "Why are you being mean to him? I asked him a question. You're unbelievable!"

I was about to walk past him, but Damon grabbed my waist and pulled me closer. "You're mad at me. Is it bad to be so in love with my wife? I'm obsessed with you, Clara, and it grows more each day. If I had my way, I'd have you attached to me."

I sighed and turned in his arms. "Are you acting this way because of the dream you had? Why does it bother you so much? What exactly did you see?"

"Because it felt real," he argued.

"But it isn't. I'm right here, aren't I?"

He sighed. "Clara…"

"Why are you so bothered? Who did you see me with?" I urged.

"Let's just drop it. I don't want to talk about it," he murmured.

"Damon…"

"Clara, drop it!" he yelled. His eyes softened immediately, realizing he'd yelled.

"Damn," I heard Luca mutter, but my eyes were on Damon. "Clara, I…"

"I want to go home, now," I interjected. He stared at me for a moment, then sighed and nodded. We left. He had to finish some work before we could go.

On the car ride home, I stayed quiet. Luca and Damon chatted, and Damon tried to include me, but I remained silent. He squeezed my thighs, even went so far as to put his hand in my pants and cup my genitals. Even though I was already soaking wet, I gave him no reaction. I was angry at him, but my body wasn't.

"Stop the car. Everyone out!" Damon ordered, pulling his hand from my pants. I was about to get out when he grabbed my hand. "Not you." I sat back in the car with him.

"Clara, I'm sorry for yelling at you. I didn't mean it," he apologized, but I didn't turn to him. He gently placed his hand on my face and turned my head towards him. Immediately, I felt guilty. It was obvious his dream was seriously bothering him, but how could I reassure him if I didn't know what was bothering him so much?

"Tell me why it bothers you so much," I murmured softly. He sighed. "Promise me you won't get mad."

I frowned. Why would I be mad? "I won't. I just want to know." I gasped when he pulled me onto his lap and buried his face in my neck. I'd learned my scent calmed him.

"My dream… it was all too familiar," he murmured against my neck, sending chills down my spine. "Why?" His grip tightened.

"My… brother and I once had a situation with a girl, and the dream reminded me so much of that. In my dream, the girl was you, and you were with my brother, not me…"