Chapter 33

Damon pulled away from the hug, clearing his throat. It was not the time for him to let his desires take over. Ava was partially undressed and pressing her soft curves against his body, which was causing an unusual sensation. "The rain is still pouring," I commented, desperately searching for something to say.

"I can see that, Damon," she smiled, tilting her head. "Are you the jealous type, Damon?" I furrowed my brows, meeting her gaze.

"Why are you asking, Ava? Is it because I didn't react when you told me Jeffrey kissed you?" Her cheeks reddened at my words.

"Oh no," she shook her head, hugging her knee close to herself. "I just want to know everything about you, that's all."

"Hmm," my gaze never left her. The cave was becoming darker as the light from the burning woods outside faded, and the rain showed no signs of stopping. Ava's gaze remained fixed on the fire. "I can get possessive, Ava," I confessed with a smile, lying down and looking up at the ceiling. A group of bats caught my attention, but I decided not to mention it to Ava as it might frighten her. "But I respond differently. I like to sit and think about what I'll do to the person. Whether I want to kill them, torment them slowly, burn them, or bury them... these are the things I consider."

"Don't kill Jeffrey," she sounded genuinely concerned, and I couldn't help but chuckle. She thought I would kill him. Well, it was a possibility; however, maybe torturing him would be more fitting.

"I can't make any promises, silly," I shrugged, dismissing her worry. She shook her head as if forcing a new thought into her mind. I wondered what was making her cheeks flush and her nipples harden beneath the white bra she was wearing, which coincidentally matched her panties. It made her look even more innocent. "Ava," I called her name, and she turned to face me. "When I take you to bed, I want you to wear a short white dress that day." Her face turned pale at my suggestion. "No panties, no bra, just a sheer white nightdress."

"I am not sleeping with you, Damon."

"Why not?"

"I don't feel that way about you."

"Didn't you say you trust me?"

"Trust is far different from like, Damon. I don't even feel relaxed with you seeing me half-nude, yet here I am."

"And you aren't shying away."

"Because there's nowhere else for me to go. The rain is still falling, you know."

"I do know, which means we have to generate some heat. This fire is dying down." Sitting up, I open my arms. "Come to me, baby."

She laughs and shakes her head. "You're crazy."

"Crazy over you, sunshine." I smile as she squints and furrows her brows.

"Sunshine?"

"Yes, silly. You're the only bright thing in my life." I watch her, thinking hard. "I'm not asking to make love with you in a cave, Ava. I just meant for us to come closer and generate some heat to keep us warm."

"I'm fine this way, Damon."

"I don't want you getting cold, Ava." My voice takes on a more commanding tone. "I told you, I hate it when you defy me."

"I am not your maid here, Damon."

"I will spank you," I warn, watching as she rolls her eyes and hisses my name.

"Ava..."

"Leave me alone, you controlling freak."

"Freak?" I cut her off with a smile. "There are bats right above your head, Ava." That makes her jump right into my arms, holding me tight before looking up to confirm my words.

"I hate bats."

"Don't worry, I'm right here with you." I pull her close, ensuring that we both fall back to the ground, holding each other tight. And as I predicted, I could feel the heat, the warmth generated from both of our bodies.

The next sound I heard was the soft sound of her sighing, indicating that she was about to fall asleep. "Tell me something, Ava," I whispered, gently rubbing her back. "Why are you scared of darkness?"

She yawned, her sleepy brown eyes meeting mine. "I was almost assaulted in the dark," she confessed, her words causing my heart to ache. "Whenever I'm in the dark, I feel like someone is going to grab me and try it all over again. It happened when I was just thirteen." Her sleepiness faded as she recounted the horrifying experience. "I was scared, so scared, Damon." A tear slipped from her eyes, and I wiped it away.

"I didn't mean for you to remember such a thing," I said, pulling her closer and planting a gentle kiss on her forehead. "Shhh, it's okay." Holding her tightly, I closed my eyes, doing my best to bring her comfort. "Sleep now. I promise you, Ava, I'll find out who did that to you and make sure they pay."

"Good night, Damon," she whispered, her lips brushing against my neck. The sensation sent shivers down my spine. It was the second time she had touched me so affectionately, and it made me feel both nervous and intrigued. "You did say you would let me experiment, you know." I gulped, feeling my cheeks flush, and nodded silently.

"Some other time, Ava," I said, closing my eyes and trying to push away the thought of her reaching out to touch me. "You need to rest now."

"Okay," she replied with a smile. "Goodnight."

Suddenly, I heard a voice in my head and instinctively reached up to touch my ear, analyzing the sound. It was Chase's voice, but he sounded agitated. "Damon, there's trouble in the palace," he said. I could sense the frustration in his tone. Was he struggling with someone?

"What's the trouble? Have the vampires already approached the main palace?" I asked, concerned.

"No, it's worse, Damon," Chase replied urgently. "Zulu is trying to rape me!" I didn't say anything, but the overwhelming urge to strangle Chase swelled up inside me. "You need to get here and take this pest away... Oh my god, my cock is in her mouth."

I quickly disconnected from Chase, shaking my head to clear my mind of that disturbing thought. The image of Zulu and Chase on the bed was not something I wanted to witness or even think about. Chase had a rule of not hitting girls, which must be why he was struggling to push Zulu away, but I wasn't like him.

I didn't care if you were a woman or a man; once you crossed your limits, I would put you back in your place.

Ava cuddled close to me, and I smiled before closing my eyes and finally allowing myself to sleep. When was the last time I had slept so peacefully?

It had been a very long time indeed.

Ava remained still, not wanting to wake me up. I watched him sleep, so innocent and peaceful. He looked so attractive in that moment. The rain had stopped overnight, and now the sun was setting. We had slept for an entire day, but considering Damon's sleepless night before, it was understandable.

Brushing his hair away from his face, I gently touched his cheek, nose, and forehead before my finger lightly grazed his lower lip. I couldn't help but admire his muscular and strong chest, feeling a sense of awe at his manliness. "He's so dreamy," I thought to myself, snuggling closer to him. My hands traced along his back, following the contours of his spine, before returning to his lips.

"Can I kiss you, Ava?" he asked as he slowly opened his eyes.

"I don't feel like..." I started to reply, but before I could finish my sentence, he kissed me anyway. It seemed like he had no intention of waiting for confirmation after all.

He could be so bossy at times.