There is a lot of commotion outside, as people rev their bikes and cars.
"I don't like it," I say.
"Neither do I," Alex says. "Gabe won't fight fair next time."
"I'll deal with that when it comes to it," Damon replies in a final tone. "Alex, call me when you've scheduled it."
Chapter Thirteen: Dani
We walk in silence past the warehouses until we reach Damon's bike. As he puts his jacket around me and I slip into the smooth leather carrying his scent, I remember how his lips felt on mine and shudder. "Where are we going now?"
"Depends." He doesn’t meet my eyes.
"On what?"
"On whether, after everything you've seen tonight, you want to stay as far away from me as possible or go on a date."
Suddenly, I’m dizzy. I inhale deeply, his scent overwhelming me. It doesn't help the dizziness. "Why did you say you were sorry after you kissed me?"
His lips inch upward in a smile. "Because bringing you here was a lousy idea. I didn't anticipate you'd dress up like this, but I knew if those idiots thought you were mine, they'd leave you alone."
Mine.
Shivers run through me at the word. Coming from his lips, it sounds just right.
"You didn't answer, Dani. About the date." He looks wearily at me as if there might be a real chance I would say no.
"Why wouldn't I want one? Because of this?" I point around t
o the warehouses. "It's not what I expected, I admit. But you have your reasons. You can explain them to me if you want to," I grin, "on our date."
"I can think of better things to do on our first date."
"Okay," I say, almost out of breath.
"Where do you want to go?"
"The beach. I know it's dark, but—”
"The beach it is. Do you have one in mind?"
"Yes."
I give him directions, and we settle on the bike again. This time, I cling to him even tighter. Part of me fears that none of this is real. I'd like to pinch myself to see if I wake up, but once the death machine starts speeding, that's impossible. The light evening breeze turns into a cold wind during our ride, but funnily, I don't feel as cold as I did the first time. Warmth bubbles up inside me, fueled by the memory of his lips, and that one word: Mine.
***
When we arrive at our destination, we leave the bike in a small parking lot then proceed to the beach. There are a few light stations along the length of the sidewalk adjacent to the beach, giving a faint glow. I passed this beach a few times when James drove me from home to his apartment, and I always wanted to come here. Taking off my shoes, I relish the familiar feel of sand beneath my toes and discover I’m shivering. When Damon takes my hand, interlacing his fingers with mine, he notices, too.
"You're cold."
"Not at all," I lie. I don’t want to leave. We make our way to the shore, and the light from the streetlamps barely reaches us as we sit on the sand.
"Do I make you nervous?"
I’m grateful for the darkness. "Yes," I admit in a small voice.
He takes me in his arms from behind, so I sit with my back to him, facing the sea.