| Damon |

The tension in this room is so thick you can cut it with a knife and the only two people who feel it are Ariel and myself. I have nobody to blame for this painfully awkward tension but myself. Its not awkward in the sense that she feels uncomfortable standing a few feet away from me, no, its awkward as in she's pissed and ignoring me. She won't even look my way and hasn't said more than two words to me since I walked in, even then all she gave me was a polite hello and the fake smile if I had ever seen one — she knew I could tell her smile was fake but that was her goal to make it known that she was not happy with me.

Like I said, I don't blame her one bit. Earlier this afternoon, after the sexually charged slip up between us in her kitchen I ran. I said no more than three words to her and those words weren't even a comfort of any kind.

"I should go." I told her before brushing past her like my ass was on fire and whispering a quiet "Ill see you at Emmas tonight." Then I hauled ass out of the house and took off on my motorcycle. I rode that baby until I had to finally turn back and go home to get ready for dinner but the whole ride all I thought about was what had just happened with Ariel.

I ran from her like a damn coward and I couldn't be more pissed at myself. Yes I needed to get my head on straight and be alone with my thoughts but I knew it was such an asshole thing for me to just leave without reassuring her or comforting her in any way.

Taking a sip of the wine in my hand, I grimaced, I even felt disgusted right now lowering my inhibitions while acting like everything was all good, talking to Tyler. Everything wasn't good. Everything was a mess now. I had to fix it.

Taking a grip back on reality, my ears started to pick up Tylers voice again as my mind began interpreting his words into sentences.

"...so after that, Emma was begging for my cock so much, she got down on her knees and — "

I choked on the red liquor in my mouth, and my body wracked with a fit of coughs.The image going through my mind was almost enough for me to want my brain surgically removed. Im going to kill this fuck.

His laughter eventually drowned out my coughing and he started patting my back. I growled and shrugged away from his touch. "What the fuck did you just say Ty?" But eyes glared his way and my voice was anything but caring towards my future brother in law.

The grin on his face was a mile wide and his laughs were slowly subsiding. "I was fucking with you man. I was five minutes in on my conversation before I realized you weren't even paying attention. I had to get you back from la-la land somehow."

I wiped the wine from my lips with the back of my hand and licked my lips. Staring him down, my fist curled at my side and my jaw twitched. "Still. You say some shit like that again about my sister and I will throw you across the room."

This kid was too confident for his own good. His grin stayed on his face and he shrugged, taking a sip of his beer. He knew I was bullshitting to an extent because I wouldn't touch him, we had gotten close over time and I was glad Emma found someone who could make her so happy — despite how badly it began. He should make no mistake though, if he ever does hurt Emma in any way I will gladly beat him to a bloody pulp.

He shook his head and eyed me up and down "Seriously though Damon. What the hell is wrong with you tonight? You're like a million miles away and you keep staring at — " he paused and craned his neck to follow my line of view. I tried to quickly avert my gaze from Ariel but it was too late, he caught on quick that it was her I was staring at.

"Ahh," he nodded his head and turned back my way "I know exactly what you were too busy thinking about, or should I say who." He rose a brow with humor.

I parted my lips to speak but Zach, Lenas husband, slapped Tyler and I on the back, joining out conversation. "Hey so Emma says dinner should be ready in a few." He then smiled "So then who was too busy thinking about who?"

Tyler chuckled under his breath and I took in a deep, frustrated breath.

"Damon cant seem to keep his eyes off our girl Ariel."

"Thanks man." I rolled my eyes at the younger kid before taking another sip of the wine.

Zach shrugged as if it was no big deal "Yeah, I noticed that the minute they shared that awkward as hell hello, what else is new?"

At this point I wanted to slip away and leave them to their roasting on my personal life but I had to sit here and defend myself. I was thinking about Ariel for a reason and they didn't need to get ideas in their heads.

"Alright guys, enough shit." I groaned and took in a deep breath before staring my explanation. "I fucked up with Ariel earlier and she's kind of pissed at me about it."

Zach rose a brow "Does she have the right to be?"

That was the hardest part to admit but I did "One hundred percent."

Tylers smile seemed to be wiped from his face. He stood up straight and his eyes suddenly held fire as he looked at me. He better watch it with that look. "What the hell did you do Damon?"

I narrowed my eyes at him "Watch the tone there Davis," I sighed, I had to tread carefully and lie about this part "And its what I didn't do. Let's just say we were having a heated argument and instead of talking it out I left."

"What about?" Zach voice questioned me.

"Doesn't matter. I just, I feel like shit because I do care about her, she's..." I pushed down the urge to say really special to me and just said "she's Emmas best friend and slowly became mine. I just don't want to be the reason why she's mad or hurt."

I looked away from Ariel to see the expression on both mens face and groan. Tyler has to beer bottle to his lips trying to hide his smirk and Zach is doing almost the exact same. These two have got the wrong fucking idea.

"What I cant fucking care about the girl now?"

Tyler shook of his smirk with a short laugh "Nah man. Ok, so you fucked up with her. Just pull her aside and talk to her. Make it better."

Zach nodded "Yeah, I mean according to Lena aren't you the master of woman?" He rose a brow, now a knowing grin spread on his lips "Should be a piece of cake for you."

Yeah not when it came to Ariel. Nothing was easy when it came to her and thats exactly when I ran earlier that afternoon. I was so close to breaking and fucking her so good. Fucking her like the damn queen she is, the way she wanted to be fucked, no, scratch that, the way she needed to be fucked. I wanted to give her that pleasure and more, I wanted to give her everything I could. I just couldn't give her everything she desired.

Love. Marriage. And babies. Every girls dream but that wasn't me. I wasn't that guy and nobody was going to change that. That ride on my motorcycle was to remind me that I was a free man and I wasn't going to be tied down and obstructed by love.

More like cut open with a knife and bleeding, the back of my mind bickered with me.

Despite all that, my relationship with Ariel, as a friend was important to me and it needed to be nurtured and treasured. I cared for her too much to give her any pain, which is also why I tried my hardest to stay away. When I don't shit like this afternoon happens. I don't know how much longer it will be before I break but I need to remember to tread carefully. Friend, thats what I have to see her as to keep myself in check. My friend.

Fuck me, but friends don't have such irresistible connections....

The front door opening and slamming shut finally took me from my thoughts. I looked up to see all the commotion. Dean and his girlfriend Marissa had just arrived. I rolled my eyes, and fashionably late too, which was probably all her fault, like always.

"Oi todos!" Marissa shouted with overly obnoxious glee in her native tongue, Brazilian. She reached for Emma and Lena giving them a kiss on each cheek before Dean followed her lead from behind.

"Marissa that dress is amazing." I heard Emmas voice gush as she approached her.

"Obrigada Emma. Its from a good friends fashion line. She's back in Brazil."

Emma smiled and began talking up Lena being a fashion designer. "You guys should really do a modeling shoot or something. It would bring you both good fortune."

Lena didn't look too thrilled at my sisters suggestion, in fact she had her arms crossed over her chest and glared at the Brazilian model who stole my brothers heart. "Mhm," she hummed not interested one bit "We take more experienced models Em. You know that."

My head fell forward and I curled my lips inside my mouth to stop from laughing. Lena was truly a monster when it came to defending her family and Dean and I? She considered family along with my mom and Uncle Eric. Emma used to always call her the mother hen of the group and I see why now.

Emma snapped her head to Lena with wide eyes and glared at her "Lena!" She yelled in a whisper.

Lena grinned her way with a shrug but said nothing further on the topic. Marissa looked up at Dean for aid but he simply rubbed her shoulders and whispered something in her ear. She seemed to shrug it off and just fake a smile at Lena before brushing past her.

I finally looked back up and saw Tyler chuckling softly "My poor baby is always trying to see the good in people and give them the benefit of the doubt."

Zach nodded "Yup and my lovely wife is always there, ready with a skeptical look and a witty comment to scope out the evil."

I laughed at both of them, knowing all to well they were right.

Dean suddenly approaches us, for once Marissa isn't on his arm. He greets us with a hey, a hand shake and brotherly slap on the back before taking place right next to me and letting out a breath.

"Rissa finally give you your balls back?" I grinned over at him.

He rolled his eyes "Its not like that man. I like having her near me all the time. I like that she loves being involved in my life."

"Too fucking involved. She's like a damn clingy teenager, doesn't know when enough is enough." I mumbled watching said girl talking to Emma.

"Eh not to side with Damon but," Tyler began giving a slight pause "She is a bit much Dean. Are you even allowed to piss by yourself? Does she come in the middle of you jerking off and tell you how to do it right?"

I couldn't help but let out a chuckle at that and for once Dean didn't mind the comment and laughed it off too. He shook his head soon after and looked his girlfriends way "You don't know what she's like when we are alone together guys. She a great girl. Give her some time."

Tyler raised his hand in the air as if to surrender and Zach simply shrugged. "Alright."

"You got it man."

I hung back and said nothing but Dean knew how I felt about her and knew not to ask me twice about it unless he wanted to get into an argument. There was something about her that rubbed me the wrong way and it wasn't her clinginess. I felt like she had some sort of ulterior motive, the look in her eye screamed manipulative.

My eyes found Ariels in an attempt to forget about my brother and his failed attempt at a love life. When her big brown eyes met mine I almost crumbled before seeing the flash of hurt in her eyes, she turned away and began helping Emma plate the table.

I cant fucking do this. I cant take this tension, this unresolved issue between us. It's eating away at me and I won't be able to have a goodnight until its solved.

I wanted it to be just us. I wanted to be alone with her one on one and talk with her. I cant remember the last time I wanted to just talk, especially to a girl but I could care less right now, if talking would make this go away then thats what I would do but it was going to be on my terms.

I cut into Tyler, Zach, and Deans conversation which again, I paid no attention to so I knew nothing about. "Hey Ty," I caught his attention as he glanced my way. "Cover for me with Emma. Im taking Ariel out."

He rose a brow and I could feel the other two staring right at me but my eyes didn't falter from Ariels beautifully thick frame moving around the dinner table.

"Uh, sure man. Where are you taking her?"

I shook my head "Have no fucking clue yet but I need to talk to her. Alone."

"Emma will be fine man. Just go." I finally looked over at Tyler who was smiling my way encouragingly. He nodded his head towards Ariel once more, telling me to go on.

I slapped his back "Thanks man." I turned and said my goodbyes to Zach and my brother before rushing over to where Ariel stood.

I came up to her from behind, I knew if she saw me coming she would walk away. I cupped her elbow gently but firm and her whole body tensed. I leaned over and whispered in her ear. "I know you're mad at me and rightfully so, but come with me."

| Ariel |

Damon seriously had some nerve coming up to me and saying such things. It wasn't bad enough that he left me embarrassed and rejected but now he wanted me to go with him, where to I do not know, but most likely he wanted to talk about what happened and tell me exactly why he left me in such a state — I knew why, he didn't need to tell me.

My father walking in and cutting us from our moment had nothing to do with it. Damon could have used comforting words. Touched me in a way that reassured me what happened between us was good. Something, anything to comfort me but what he did left me feeling embarrassed, rejected, and stupid.

How could I ever think that Emma was right? That Damon wanted me, was attracted to me and loved my curves in all their shape and glory. He didn't and his walking away right after proved that. He finally came to his senses as to what he was about to do and freaked out. He probably became disgusted in himself that he was about to go so far with me.

Sure he's told me I'm beautiful and more, he's flirted with me, and he's teased me, but was I just taking it too much to heart? Was I just imagining things? I mean he could do this with every girl for all I know? And the fact that I was flirting back with him and even asked me to kiss him has me feeling even more stupid!

Then I think back to his tall, muscular form pressed up behind me. His thick cock, rock hard and pressed against my ass, just thinking about it had me deliciously wet between my legs. I never thought a man could be so wanton and so turned on by me. The way his lips were moving across my skin and his breath was panting like an animal in heat, it did things to me. I wanted more and more...

Maybe he really did want me, maybe is wasn't just us being in the moment? But then why would he be so dejected? Confusion hit me then. Thats what he did isn't it? He loved to drown himself in sex, he had woman constantly fawning over him and he didn't mind one bit. Truth be told, just thinking about all those woman brought out the big green monster of jealousy and I was ready to claw any girls eyes out who stepped within breathing distance of my man.

Thats the problem he wasn't my man.

But God did I want him to fuck me like he was... Yes, damn it, yes I did.

Finally after not even glancing back his way for a few minutes, lost in my thoughts, I felt his strong hand lightly squeeze my arm and his tender voice plead in my ear "Please Ariel. I want to talk, just hear me out?"

I took in a deep breath and slowly turned to face him. I can do this. I gently pep talked myself.

When my head moved up and my eyes met those beautiful green ones I was in love with I saw regret swimming in them. I had to fight to not bite my lip at the beautifully, sexy man standing in front of me, so close I could smell his signature spicy, woodsy cologne. My knee almost buckled at the aroma mixed in with his pure scent and it didn't help that the simple black tee, dark skinny jeans and black boots gave him that bad boy persona which made him even sexier to me right now.

I shook off my desire for him in attempt to put him in his place. What he did wasn't okay and if he wanted forgiveness he needed to work for it and start talking.

I gently pushed my elbow away from his hold and crossed me arms over my chest. "Now you want to talk?" I questioned and he let out a long sigh. "Wouldn't it have been better to talk before leaving me in my kitchen looking like a total idiot?"

"Princess," His hand reached out again but I didn't have the heart to stop it from grabbing my arm "I know I was a fucking coward to leave like that but this is why we need to talk. Please come with me, we'll go out, go to dinner, wherever you want."

I rose a brow, did he not realize where we were? I couldn't just leave Emma like that. "Damon in case you haven't noticed we are at dinner and we cant leave Emma like that."

"I spoke to Tyler," He began, his eyes pleading with mine "Its fine. I just want to have the chance to speak to you alone, I don't want anyone bothering us or cutting our conversation short. Can I just have that to make it up to you Ariel?"

I don't want to get hurt by this man and I don't want my heart to cave in every single time he makes it flutter but I do want to give him a chance to explain and maybe I can even learn something from this night with him. I still look at my body and feel rejected in the worst way but a part of me thinks that maybe I'm not hallucinating and maybe he is attracted to me. Maybe there is another reason to why he just ran.

"I know I shouldn't have but I felt hurt and rejected when you left like that." I shook my head, my arms lowering from across my chest. "I don't even know why I just told you that but what I do know is that you better give me a damn good reason Damon."

He swallowed thickly and moved in closer to me. His hand cupped my cheek and his thumb caressed my jaw, I wanted so bad to lean in but with all my willpower, I didn't. He nodded and gave a soft smile "Thank you. I think I know the perfect spot we can go..." 

Alrighty guys! So this was more of a filler chapter but it was definitely needed for the story, Chapter 16 should be up and running soon and I think you guys will love it. We are getting to delve more into Ariel and Damon's relationship soon 😉😁

How did you guys like this one?❤

Will Damon open up to her or will he just give her a generic excuse as to why he left? 😬

Where will he take her? 🤔

Dont forget to comment and vote🌟 por favor!

XOXO
Lisamariee💋