Chapter 39: Chapter 11

NATALIE

I’m shocked to see a dark gray sofa and a coffee table sitting in the living room of Damon’s house. “Where did this come from?”

“I made a trip to no-man’s land while you were sleeping. By the way, no more healing without either myself or Finn around. You don’t seem to know when to stop.”

I bite my lip guiltily from his observation.

“Go look upstairs.”

I knit my brows then make the climb to the second floor. Everything is the same until I get to the third room. It looks cozy with a queen-sized bed and dresser.

The bedding looks brand new with turquoise, white, and dark gray pillows and duvet against a paneled headboard. Matching curtains and a rug give the room the final homey touches needed. I don’t hear Damon behind me and I startle when he speaks.

“I thought you could stay here the rest of your visit. I had to move my office here, so this is where I’ll be.”

“It’s beautiful. All this room just for me?” I step inside and feel how soft the bedding is.

“I liked your idea of having guest rooms. Since you’re my first guest, I wanted to tailor it to you.”

How is he always so calm and laid-back? He did this for me and he acts like it’s no big deal. No one has ever done something like this for me.

I hug him around his torso. “This is the sweetest thing anyone has done for me.”

He pats my back then pulls away to arm’s length. I look on top of the dresser to find a wrapped gift. I gingerly pick it up. “Is this for me?”

He nods and leans against the door frame. “I should warn you that it is clothing, but it’s tradition in our pack. Go ahead.”

I can’t help the smile that stretches across my face as I carefully pull at the wrapping.

“Come on, tear into it. Rip it up.”

I laugh and tear the paper from the box. My laugh gets harder when I pull a pair of Snoopy pajamas from the box. They’re so soft and look really comfy and warm.

“These are so great.” I hold up the pants and they look like they’ll be a perfect fit.

“I’m glad you like them. I’m going to make something for dinner. Do you want to help?”

I automatically nod. His smile stretches across his face then he licks his bottom lip. I love that he does that when he’s thinking, but I need to stop staring at his perfect lips, his gorgeous eyes, his cute dimples…

“I think I can whip up some spaghetti.”

His voice snaps me out of my stupor, but he has the hottest voice. “Sounds great. I do know how to cook pasta.”

He pushes himself off the door frame. “Perfect.” He tilts his head as if to say let’s go and I follow him back down the stairs.

I sit on the counter to watch him work. “Damon, do you date?”

He holds up a spoon for me to taste. It’s absolutely delicious and full of spices and flavors. “There’s no point. My mate is all I need.” His eyes look straight into mine and I lose my breath. “Good?”

“Delicious. Have you always thought that way?” I jump down from the counter to drain the pasta.

“Not really, but I never really dated anyway. I was more focused on how I was going to be the beta of this pack. I knew that I would have to step up because Owen wouldn’t. Then I began training with Troy and he made me realize that in order to run this pack, I would have to be the alpha.”

Damon takes my hips and helps me back up on the counter. He quickly pulls his hands away and plates up the pasta.

“Was that hard? You were friends, right?”

“We were sort of friends. He was a pretty cocky guy and I didn’t like the way he treated us as his followers instead of as his friends. After Kya came here, he became worse. It was hard to make the decision, but once it was made, I knew it was the right choice.”

I set my bowl in my lap and begin eating. We continue our conversation, at one point he wipes stray sauce splatter from my cheek. Goddess, why can’t he be my mate? His mate is one lucky bitch, I’m envious of a person I’ve never even met.

After we’re finished eating, I take a shower then change into my pajamas. I find Damon in his office. I softly knock and he looks up to me. His eyes are so pretty against his golden tanned skin that I lose my breath. I catch my voice and stop staring. “Am I interrupting?”

He shakes his head. “Not at all. Come in. I wanted to show you this anyway.”

I step inside and take a seat. He turns a thick book around. “What is this?”

“It’s the tome I was telling you about. I just finished it and I think you should read it. I need a shower. Hot cocoa and holiday movie after I’m done?”

I nod and pick up the heavy book, curious as to what’s inside. A book this size makes me really nervous. Although I can read, I’m not that great when it comes to studying. I’ve only really had kindergarten through third grade, then got thrown into high school. I don’t mind, but I’m not exactly planning on going to college.

I try to read the first page, but I’m lost in the first paragraph, it’s like a foreign language. I leave the book on the desk and look for a movie. I find whipped cream in the refrigerator to top the hot cocoa. Damon is coming down the stairs in a pair of Charlie Brown pajamas when I walk out of the kitchen. Even dressed in silly pj’s he still looks incredibly hot. I place the cocoa on the coffee table then get comfy on the couch.

“I wonder if you would like to try starting a fire?” He places a log in the fireplace and I worry my lip.

“I didn’t read the book.” I look at him feeling guilty.

“I didn’t think you had yet, it took me almost a week to get through it. But you’ve made fire three times already.”

My cheeks get warm. “You did see me light the bush on fire.” Damn. He played it off so well.

He gives me his half smile. “Yeah…I did. I was pretty surprised, but that made me realize how special you are.”

“You didn’t act surprised.”

His dimples show up as his smile grows larger. “Oh, I was, but then I was impressed. Are you going to try?” His eyes are piercing and his face is hopeful.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” I worry my lip and he continues to stand near the fireplace.

“I read the whole book. It said that you need to stay calm, but confident. You’ve already done it, you can do this. Think of what you want the fire to look like. So not a blazing inferno, but a small soft fire would work.”

I take a deep breath then get to my feet. He steps beside me and touches his hand to my back. “You can do this. I believe in you, Natalie.”

His confidence in me is encouraging. I remember how I wanted to be warm that first time I lit the bush on fire. I close my eyes and think of a soft little fire burning on a log. I take a deep breath and use my energy the same way I heal. I lift my hands and will the fire to life. I feel a tiny fragment of energy leave me then open my eyes. I gasp with my mouth hanging open.

“I did it! Damon, I did it!” I jump up and down and into his arms. He laughs but puts me back on my feet. “Sorry. I’m just really excited.”

He gives me a smile so large that his perfect teeth are bright. “It’s fine, Natalie. I’m excited too. You did great. I knew you could do it. We’ll start trying other elements soon. But now, it’s movie time.”

He sits on his couch and holds his cocoa. “Ready when you are,” he tells me as he kicks out a reclining portion of the couch. I sit beside him and press play then grab my cocoa.

Throughout the movie we change positions until I’m lying on his leg and he has a pillow in his lap. This movie is hilarious and we laugh as the boy shoots his eye out. Damon rubs my back and the warmth of the fire makes my eyes get heavy, luckily the movie comes to an end. I stretch out and stand up.

“I’m going to clean up. Get some sleep. Good night, Natalie.” He takes the mugs into the kitchen leaving me playing with the hem of my shirt. I let out a breath and head up to my room.

My heart is so touched that he made this room up just for me. The bed is huge and so comfortable.

“Moon Goddess. Thank you for saving me. Thank you for my gifts. Please help me to learn to control them. And thank you for letting me stay with Damon. He’s a good man and I pray he gets a mate worthy of him. Good night, Moon Goddess,” I whisper toward the window then close my eyes.