Beautifully Damaged

by Gina Sevani

  He slid his fingertips in each side of my panties and gave me one last look, he was asking for permission to slide the final piece of clothing off. I simply nodded because I couldn't find the words to speak. He watched me the entire time he oh-so-slowly pulled them over my hips and down my thighs. Once they were off completely, he took his eyes off mine and glanced down toward my chest. I swear I saw his eyes change colors. His hands tightened on my calves. Damon let his gaze drop lower, his hands moved up my legs, and rested on the back of my thighs. He squeezed them and pulled me a little closer. I was butt ass naked and he was fully clothed.

  "Ariel." The way he spoke my name was a mix between a prayer, growl, and who-the-heck knows. All I wanted was for him to say it again. He leaned into me, placed small kisses from hip to hip, and laid his forehead against the bottom of my stomach. It was so quiet even though the water was running from the shower. I swear, if I tried I could have heard my own heartbeat, it pounded against my chest. I gave his hair a light tug so he would look up at me. The water had to be cold. He was on his knees with his head resting on my stomach like he had all the time in the world. I really liked it.

  "The water's getting cold," I said.

  Damon finally looked up at me. The desire reflected in his eyes made me gasp. He wasn't just resting his head against me. Damon was fighting to find control. I wondered what he was waiting on.

  "Come here," I whispered his words from the last time we were in a bathroom together.

  A small smile played on his mouth. "No."

  "Now," I said.

  He just shook his head no at me.

  "Pretty please."

  Damon placed his mouth along my left hip, kissed, and sucked on my skin all the way across once more. It tickled but once he placed an open mouth kiss right against where my legs met, my knees gave out, and if it wasn't for his arms holding me up I would have fallen.

  I cursed and gripped the counter with both of my hands.

  As awesome as that felt I know he was just giving me a small taste of what was still to come. When he stood, he crawled up my body. His muscled chest glided against my stomach then my breasts. He wasted no time in ravaging my mouth. My legs ached to be around his waist. It was like he could always read my mind. His hands cupped my bottom and lifted me. I wrapped both of my legs around him tight. At the same time, I attempted to take his shirt off, but it wasn't happening until he sat me on the edge of the counter. He leaned his chest away from mine long enough for me to finally work it off. His skin was so tan, hard, and muscular. It didn't appear the man had an ounce of fat on him anywhere.

  I caressed his chest down to what appeared to be an eight pack, a freaking eight pack. He was solid, with the defined V thing going on. Damon didn't allow me to look or touch for long before he pulled me against his bare chest. I wrapped my arms around his neck as my breasts were pushed tight against his warmth.

  I couldn't begin to describe how amazing it felt. I'd never been bare against a man before, to feel his warm smooth skin against mine. Damon had his own level of warmth, and it felt amazing. My eyes searched for his tattoos, I saw three, for some reason I thought he would have more. I liked that his skin wasn't completely covered though. The one on his forearm was a cross with some tribal work. The second one, on his chest was a beautiful, dark wolf with his head thrown back howling. Whoever did his tattoos was seriously talented.

  Across his ribs on the opposite side read; "A life isn't measured in hours or minutes. It's the quality, not the length."

  "Wow." That one spoke to my heart.

  "What's the story with the wolf?" I traced his skin.

  He kissed me softly. "I'm part Native American, Cherokee Indian. My grandfather, before he passed away, used to tell us this story about two wolves, it just always stuck with me."

  "What's the story?"

  "You wanna do this now?" He smirked and looked down at my body.

  "I want to hear the story."

  "Fine, I can't tell it the way he could, so I'll just repeat a part of it."

  "An old Cherokee told his grandson, 'My son, there is a battle between two wolves inside us all. One is evil; it is anger, jealousy, greed, resentment, inferiority, lies, and ego. The other is good; it is joy, peace, love, hope, humility, kindness, empathy, and truth.'

  The boy thought about what his grandfather had said and asked, 'Grandfather, which wolf will win' The old man quietly replied, 'The one you feed.'"

  "That's powerful, who wrote it?"

  He shrugged. "No idea. It's been around a really long time though."

  I gazed into his blue eyes. "Are you the good wolf?"

  "I want to be."

  I massaged down his back until I reached the top of his pants and I slowly slid my hands beneath the waist band.

  "Ariel…" He moaned into my neck.

  I pushed them down with my fingertips until I couldn't reach anymore and dragged his pants the rest of the way down with my toes. Damon wasn't wearing any boxers. I felt my eyes go wide with fear and concern on how my body was supposed to take in all of him. I knew I shouldn't stare but it was so hard not to. He saw where my eyes were focused and any other guy probably would have something stupid to say but he tilted my chin up and placed a sweet kiss upon my mouth. His strong muscular hands slid down my back to grip my ass as he lifted me up to where I was closer to him. He carried me to the shower and placed me directly under the water. It felt heavenly.

  "I thought it would be freezing."

  He laughed as I slid down his body to stand on my own. "Ariel I wish I could find the perfect word to describe you, but I don't think such words exist," he whispered in between kisses. I turned us around so he was directly under the spray and reached for his shampoo. I had to stand on my tiptoes and he steadied me with his hands on my hips so I could reach his head. He was so tall he had to bend down as well. Damon didn't bother to close his eyes as I massaged the soap in his scalp.

  "Close your eyes before the soap gets in them."

  "Nah… this feels too much like a dream I recently had. I might open them to find you're not really here."

  Damn.

  I could have melted right there I do believe. Damon wasn't one of those guys that were super sweet, or felt the need for extreme romantic gestures, that just wasn't him. So I knew and felt in my heart everything he'd ever said to me was true and real. It was perfect.

  "Close your eyes, Damon." I smiled at him and he obliged.

  "Mmmm… that feels good."

  I lathered my hands up again and glanced over his entire body. I was hesitant on where to start so I started from the top. I massaged the body wash into his shoulders, across his chest, and down his abdominals. Kneeling down, I reached for the body wash once more to finish his legs, even his feet before I made him turn around. I took my time washing him. When he turned around he reached for the soap to finish the one place I didn't touch; wasn't brave enough, yet.

  I opened my hand palm up for him to pour the body wash into.

  "Ariel, baby you don't have to."

  "I want to," I said.

  Damon was hesitant but slowly poured the body wash into my hands. He gave me plenty of time to change my mind, I loved the fact he was so thoughtful and caring. The second I grasped him, he threw his head back and groaned. It was so sexy that it encouraged me more. If I'd thought I was doing something wrong, his taut muscles and moans had told me otherwise. Damon placed his hand on my wrist to stop any motion. He swallowed hard once or twice and opened his eyes.

  "Your turn." Damon made a motion for me to turn around. His large hands started massaging shampoo into my hair and slowly rinsed it out.

  "I'm sorry, I don't have conditioner."

  I could care less about conditioner right now.

  His hands had the perfect amount of pressure. Damon lowered himself to finish his journey and I heard him utter a curse. I looked over my shoulder to see him gazing at my ass.

  "Heaven help me," he whispered. I felt him place a kiss o
n each of the dimples on my lower back. "Turn around, Ariel." His voice was always deep but now it'd taken a raspier tone. He was totally affected. Damon kept his position and started washing the lower part of my legs, even massaging my tight calves, which caused me to release some kind of sound I'd never made before. He chuckled and continued to massage my ass the exact same way.

  "Damon." I latched on to his shoulders for support.

  "Hmmm?"

  "Hurry up and finish please."

  I couldn't take much more of his hands on me.

  "No… I think I'll rather enjoy taking my time. Funny how the tables turned with that one word."

  The feel of his hands on my bare skin was enough to make me come undone. It was powerful, consuming, and I didn't know if I wanted to pull him closer or push him away. He caressed the soap across my stomach and down my arms.

  "I can do the rest." Please let me do the rest. I was about to lose it.

  "Nope, pretty sure I've got it." Damon took his precious time, he watched me while he lathered his hands up nicely.

  I crossed my arms and stared up at him as I tried to act strong, like he wasn't affecting me at all but man he was. Damon aligned his body with mine, I could feel every part of him; every single part. He moved my arms and I dangled them by my side. The feel of his hands on my breasts massaging and caressing had my breathing erratic and totally out of control.

  "You're perfect," Damon whispered. He kneeled down and touched me at my core.

  "Damon, please."

  "Please, what baby?" he taunted me.

  "DAMON." I squeezed his right hand where it rested on my hip.

  "Look at me." I turned my eyes to him.

  "Do you trust me, Ariel?"

  I nodded quickly.

  "Say the words baby."

  "I trust you, Damon."

  He tapped my foot and placed it on a long bench that was in his shower. Funny, how people don't notice certain things when all of their attention might be elsewhere. He placed his entire open palm on me and pressed against me. I had so much pressure and that move eased some of it. The feeling was different than anything I was used to and I tightened my entire body.

  "Relax." He looked into my eyes and what I saw there was just too much, too raw. I closed my eyes and forced them to remain shut. Damon caressed me over and over and I could sense that he moved. It was only when I felt his mouth on my breasts that my eyes snapped open and looked directly into his waiting eyes. My legs were quivering and I swore they were going to give out at any given moment.

  "Look at me, Ariel."

  I tried to push his hand away when I wanted to hold it against me forever but he was too strong.

  "I've got you baby… all you have to do is let go."

  A few seconds passed, I could feel my core tighten then pulse, and spasm all over. My head fell back as I moaned and I dug my nails into his hand that touched me as wave after wave washed through me. I looked down at him after it was over, I would never be able to forget the look of awe stuck on his handsome face. He dried himself and me off quickly and before I could get another towel wrapped around my head, he slung me over his shoulder.

  "What are you doing?" I squealed.

  "I'm not done with you." Damon threw me on the bed, I bounced. He stood over me just patiently getting his fill of my naked body.

  "What are you waiting on?" I taunted him.

  We made eye contact, and he smiled. He grabbed my ankles and jerked me to the edge of the bed.

  I screamed.

  "Watching you have an orgasm was the most amazing thing I've ever seen. I think, no, I know I need to see it once more before we leave this room today."

  Wow. I'm game.

  I crawled back up the bed to accommodate him and I made a solemn vow that watching him crawl up in between my legs would be the sexiest thing I'd ever seen. My mouth collided with his; our tongues were in a war of their own. His chest was flat against mine but he was holding himself off me at the same time, so all of his weight was not directly on me, but I wanted to feel everything. I reached behind him, around his hips and pulled him further down, to fully be pressed against me.

  Damon jerked his mouth from mine. "Fuck, baby," he growled and buried his face into my neck. He didn't move a muscle, and I needed more. All I could think about was more. I lifted my hips toward his and he gripped my right hip tight to keep me mobile.

  "I want…"

  "Shhh… listen I'm trying to — just keep still for a second." His eyes were closed and his chiseled jaw tight. The grip he had on my hip was tight and I looked for his other hand, it was fisted in the sheets.

  When I turned my gaze back toward him, his eyes were open, looking directly at me. "Ariel, I can't wait to make love to you but it's not happening right now. Don't look at me like that, let me finish. This morning has been beautiful but crazy, fast paced, and wild. I want your decision to be clear not so fogged up, in the heat of the moment."

  I never thought I would ever hear those words come from his mouth. Although I didn't like it, I understood where he was coming from.

  "I just can't have you regretting me," he whispered.

  "I would never regret you, Damon. That's impossible but I understand, I think."

  "Okay?" He finally smiled.

  "Okay, yes but promise me, when I tell you I'm ready even if it's an hour from now, you'll make love to me."

  "Ariel." He shook his head.

  "Promise me!"

  "I swear to you that I will make love to you so good, when I think you're ready. Now I want to try something." He smiled.

  "Don't think I didn't catch that," I said, and his smile twisted into the smirk I'd come to love.

  I raised my eyebrows to question what he was doing. He reached for a condom and I watched him and he slowly rolled it on.

  "Stop licking your lips!"

  "Shit sorry, didn't know I was. Umm why exactly do you need that, if… ya know?"

  "I just want to feel you, everything but the inside of you right now. You trust me, right?"

  "I do."

  Damon flipped us around so I was straddling him. The move was so fast and controlled. Yeah he had plenty of practice but I refused to think about that.

  I was sitting up, straddling his stomach, waiting for what he wanted next. He used his hands and caressed my body, and I placed mine on his chest. My long, wet hair hung over my shoulder; I felt it dripping on us both. I stared down at him, I could never get enough. I seriously could watch him forever with clothes on, but off was on an entirely different level. He was magnificent.

  Damon leaned up to capture my mouth and the movement sent me sliding down. I was lined up right against him perfectly. I moaned from the feeling. Just having him against me might have been enough to send me into another spiral. One of his hands fisted into my wet hair and the other gripped my backside tightly. His strong arms wrapped around me, I felt so warm and safe.

  "Move against me." He spread his hand and fingers out across my butt and hip. Then he glided me back and forth in the motion he wanted my body to follow.

  "Mmm," I moaned into his mouth.

  When I got the rhythm down, he moved his hands toward my breasts and squeezed with the perfect amount of pressure. Damon threw his head back onto the pillow. His calloused hands caressed all over my body. I didn't think there was an inch of my skin that he hadn't touched. I was so close to release, I squeezed his forearms as the pressure built.

  "Damon." I threw my head back and tried to pick up the pace.

  "Just like that, ride me baby." That was the final push I needed and I squeezed my legs around his hips.

  "Look at me, Ariel."

  I did as he asked. My entire body trembled above him as I watched him come undone beneath me.

  "You're so damn beautiful."

  I exhaled a long breath I hadn't known I was holding.

  "Thank you." I kissed him deeply once more before climbing off his lap. He cleaned himself up quickly and came back. I laid m
y head on his chest. I tapped my finger to the sound of his heartbeat.

  "Your heart is beating so fast."

  Damon moved us to where I was laying beneath him; his forearms were holding his chest and weight off of me. His eyes pierced mine and I knew he saw me, the real me, and even the things I tried to hide.

  "From the first time I saw you, I knew you were rare. From the first time my lips tasted yours, my body touched yours, my heart and soul opened for yours. For me Ariel, there will never be enough. I want you in every way possible. I won't ever get enough, never!"

  I closed my eyes, because listening to those words was one thing, but watching that beautiful man in front of me opening his heart was just too much. Cool, wet tears fell into my hair. As he wiped one away, another fell in its place.

  "I know you're hurting, I may not know the reason for your pain yet, but I'm begging for you to let me in, all the way. The other night you stopped me from saying what needed to be said; I won't allow that to happen again. I have to say it out loud. You may think you're not strong enough to handle it but I know differently.

  "My heart beats fast and out of control for you and only you. I'm so in love with you, Ariel," he whispered across my lips.

  Every single word he said reached down deep inside of me and touched my soul. Love was a crazy thing. People thought it shouldn't be difficult, it was. People thought it should be perfect but it never was. Love was messy. We never know when love will begin, we sure as hell don't know if or when it will end. We give ourselves completely to someone without knowing how the future may play out, it was scary as hell. The scariest part about letting someone in was that they could take one glimpse inside and never want to come back.

  Love was uncontrollable, it could be devastating. But if the person was strong, if they seek more out of life, they would fall and willingly so; because in the end, one of the most cherished things the crazy world had to offer was love.

  No, love wasn't easy and perfect but it could be a wonderful, crazy, beautiful, perfect mess.

  "Where did you just go, Ariel?" Damon looked worried.