A/N: Okay I know you guys want to kill me! 😫 *hides behind Damon* But I promise I didn't expect this update to be a month overdue! Im so sorry about the long wait but for your huge amount of patience and loving support for not only this book but my others, I will be posting two chapters tonight and maybe a third before the weekend is over?🤷‍♀️😁 Hopefully... fingers crossed! LOL🤞

Anyways, enough talking & more reading! Ha! Enjoy guys!❤

| Damon |

I sit dazed and confused, going through every possible scenario in my mind as to why I told Ariel my deepest secret. Why when I finally open up to someone about my painful past did it have to be Ariel? None of my family knows anything about Danielle, not my mom, my Uncle, my sister...nobody but the first person I open up to and show the slightest amount of vulnerability to is my sisters best friend.

Except Ariel is so much more than just my sisters best friend and she has been for so long now that it has become second nature to see her as my best friend. I can't help myself from stepping up and always protecting her, seeing that she is happy and taken care of, that's what friends do right?

Last week when I opened up to her, the words fell out of my mouth so easily as if my body was expelling a demon from my soul. It became a case of word vomit and the confession just kept coming, like poison that needed to be released from my system.

Despite all that, the thing I feared the most was the feeling I felt after opening up to her. I felt free and content, almost as if telling her all those things made me happy, it made me want to tell her everything I had buried deep inside me. I felt nothing but a lightness on my shoulders that made me what to hold her in my arms and talk to her all night.

That, that feeling right there scared me more than any rejection any woman could have given me. Never have I ever wanted to hold a woman and talk to her about the things that kept me up at night or the dreams I had for my life. Ariel did something no other woman had done before, she brought out a side in my I thought was dead and gone.

When I got home that night I willed myself to push down all those feelings and force away any thoughts of opening up to her again. I couldn't give in, I couldn't put myself out there like that ever again. I had to keep reminding myself that it wasn't worth it. I would never give any woman the satisfaction of breaking me again.

I couldn't bare the pain and humiliation.

That night before bed, I rubbed my chest subconsciously and swallowed down any feelings of Ariel my soul may have been reaching for, with a long burning gulp of whiskey and went straight to bed making sure the red headed beauty that turned my life upside down was clear from my thoughts.

"...Damon?"

My Uncles rough voice cut me from all my thoughts of the events from the previous week. I sat up in the black leather chair, shaking all thoughts from my head. When I looked up at Uncle Eric, his eyes held curiosity but his lips were formed in a thin line. I knew right away I missed something important. I wasn't paying attention, I was physically in the room but mentally I was far away.

I cleared my throat and placed my hands on the table in front of me "Yes, sorry."

He raised a brow which just added to his look of curiosity before letting out a sigh "I was just asking your opinion on the plans for Mr. Hollands daughters dance studio? We added the extra floor for the adult dance, along with the tinted glass windows surrouding the building."

Mr. Holland and his daughter, Sarah have been in more than a few times to try and perfect her Christmas gift, and as grateful that I was for the clientele and the money to allow my fathers business to continue to strive, I couldn't stand being in a room with them for longer than five minutes. Mr. Holland was a controlling asshole and the daughter was a spoiled little brat playing the part of the innocent angel. Their personalities were so obvious, Stevie wonder could have them figured out within seconds.

"I agree," I nodded "However it is essentially all up to Miss. Holland as to what she would love to see in her studio." I looked his daughters way and sent her the best smile I could muster. Despite being utterly annoyed with her, I had to charm my way around her to keep them on as clients.

Sarah giggled and blushed and tucked her hair almost shyly behind her ear. I wanted to shudder in disgust, it was so fake — unlike when Ariel pulled little gestures like that it was genuine and sweet, this girl was anything but, you could see it in her eyes. She had the devil inside of her, waiting to sink her claws into a willing male.

I leaned back in my chair and grinned her way. In my mind the only girl sitting across from me was Ariel, no matter how much I tried to erase her face from my mind it always came back.

"I think it's perfect." She gushed to my Uncle, and bit her lower lip glancing my way.

Any other time I would have been eating up the flirtatious behavior she was sending me but right now it was truly doing nothing for me.

Mr. Holland nodded and patted his daughters hand before looking my Uncles way with a satisfied grin. "Its settled then."

Uncle Eric nodded with a smile and rolled up the building plans "Perfect. So we will be in contact with the construction company and work out any change and specifics."

My Uncle and the father both shook hands, before getting up from their seats and making their way towards the door. I was doing the same, grabbing the paperwork that sat in front of me and my phone but as I turned on my heel and took a few steps towards the door, I felt soft dainty fingers wrap around my forearm, grabbing my attention.

I knew who it was before I turned around. I took in a deep breath to calm myself and looked down at the bright pink manicured fingertips curled around my arm before gazing up into the blue eyes of Sarah, the she devil. My charm quickly came forward and I wiped away the scowl on my face.

"Something you needed Miss. Holland?"

She glanced over my shoulder and saw her father in conversation with my Uncle. She took a few steps forward towards me and as much as I wanted to back away, I didn't. She licked her lips and gave me another shy smile. "Maybe, and I was hoping it was something you can help me with?"

I had yet to remove her hand from my arm, I stood still and confident. I pursed my lips and responded "Is that so? What is it you need?"

Gone was her good girl persona, she grinned wickedly and leaned forward, whispering to me "You." As soon as the words left her lips I wanted to roll my eyes. Of course as any red blooded male I would normally jump at the chance to take her up on her offer and set a date, take her home with me and show her exactly who it was she was dealing with but something didn't feel right, I felt off, almost like it didn't interest me to take her anywhere.

She looked up at me from her lashes the wicked grin turned into a seductive one as her hand traveled from my arm to my chest. "Ive watched you for weeks now and every time I step into this office I cannot help but think of all the things these strong hands can do to me..."

Little did she know, she wasn't having the effect she wanted on me, if anything she was frustrating me, I wanted nothing more than to push her hand off. Which is exactly what I did. Grabbing her hand, I pulled it off my chest and sighed. "Miss. Holland Im sorry to disappoint you but that is one thing you will never find out."

Her seductive grin turned shocked and her back straightened "B-But you want me," she sputtered before shrugging her shoulders and biting her lower lip, trying to use seduction on me once more. "I know you do, Ive seen the way you look at me..."

She has to have some serious eye sight problems or must misunderstand signals because I have never once had in interest in her, maybe the charming smiles and the small flirtatious looks I have given her in the past would have her confused but truly I was just trying to close this deal between her father and the firm.

I shook my head "Again Miss. Holland, you're wrong. I suggest you erase all those thoughts because it will never happen. This is professional."

Her lips parted and she scowled slightly, just as she was about to say her rebuttal, her fathers voice caught our attention.

"Princess." She snapped her eyes away from mine and sent a fake smile her fathers way. "Its time we get going. I have work to do."

She nodded her head "Of course daddy." She responded to him before glancing my way once more, anger written all over her features.

"You'll come begging for me, I assure you." She hissed before stomping out and her needle thin heels and walking out of the office behind her father.

I shook my head in disbelief at the girl, she was well into her twenties and she was acting like a spoiled teenager. Squeezing my eyes closed and pinching the bridge of my nose with my fingers, I took a deep breath.

I heard a deep chuckle come from a few feet away and suddenly snapped my eyes open to find my Uncle leaning against the open doorway, watching me with a grin.

"What?" I asked in exasperation. That girl takes the life out of me.

He shrugged and gave another chuckle "Nothing, just..." he paused looking me up and down "Have you fallen ill?"

I rose a brow, why the hell would he ask that? "What? No."

"Do you have dinner plans?"

I sighed "No, Uncle."

"A naked woman waiting for you?"

I groaned "What the hell?" I took a few steps closer towards him, not understanding where he was going with all this. "No, why so many damn questions?"

He grinned "That is the first time I have ever seen you turn down a very willing female."

"You heard?" I question with a sigh, of course he heard our conversation. I shrugged "Okay, so what, she's a spoiled brat and annoys the fuck out of me."

"So you've told me countless times before but that has never stopped you from spending the night with a woman and sending her off the next morning."

I ran a frustrated hand through my hair. Where was he going with this? Wasn't he the one who told me so many times that I needed to stop messing around so much with girls anyway? "For fucks sake, I know that but I just wasn't into it tonight thats all."

"Hmm, right." His grin with now a full blown smirk and there was a secret mischievness in his eyes as if he knew something I didn't. "This wouldn't happen to be because a certain red headed sweetheart was getting under your skin, would it?"

Ariel. Of course he thought it had something to do with her. My family was secretly on pins and needles waiting for that ship to finally set sail, no matter how many times I said it was never going to happen. I rolled my eyes and shoved both hands in my pockets.

"This has nothing to do with Ariel, she's just my friend. I told you time and time again, I care about her yes but nothing will ever come of it."

He held his up in surrender "Alright, Alright. Just be careful, all that caring could turn into something much more serious."

"Like what?"

The smirk was back on his lips and he pushed himself off the doorway, ready to turn on his heel "Love, Damon."

My eyes widened and the feeling in my chest sprung to life, I pushed it down and shot my Uncle a glare "Never. going. to. happen." I hissed out each word between clenched teeth.

He looked me up and down, his eyes softening with pitty as he did so. He took in a breath and let out a sigh "Heaven forbid the thought right Damon?" Sarcasm easily dripped from his voice before he turned his back to me to walk away.

"Play nice with Miss. Holland. I don't want to hear any threats or complaints from them!" He called out as he walked down the corridor, not even bothering to take another glance back at me.

Play nice? I groaned as those words replayed in my head and I forced myself not to roll my eyes in respect of my Uncle. Looking down at the glinting silver Rolex on my wrist, a small twing of happiness filled me that there was only five minutes left to the work day and I would then be free to start my weekend in peace, away from mind numbing meetings, proposals, and building plans.

| Ariel |

Placing the empty piping bag on the counter next to me, I let out a huff of air and placed my hands on my hips.

125 beauty and the beast themed cupcakes, done in under 8 hours? Check.

Working my ass off for a little girls sixth birthday party? Check.

Absolutely exhausted? Oh yeah, Check.

Worth every minute for new clients? No doubt about it, Check.

I looked around me at the mass of cupcakes covering every counter possible in the kitchen. Half the cupcakes were decorated in yellow rosettes and the finishing touch of a fondant rose at the top — to mimic the look of belles beautiful yellow dress, while the other half were covered in brown grass tip frosting with darker brown fondant horns, one on each side to mimic the look of the beast.

More than happy with the final product, I threw my apron down on the kitchen table and dragged my way along the hardwood floors, crossing into the living room from the kitchen and letting my body fall down into the couch with a silent plop; a long ragged breath leaving my lips. My head automatically fell against the back of the couch and my eyes closed instinctively.

I was more than tired and my feet were numb at this point from being on them for over eight hours. Not only had I spent that time decorating these cupcakes for that little girls sixth birthday party tomorrow but I hadn't gotten a good enough rest last night. For some reason I kept tossing and turning and to make matters worse I woke up at 5 am to go running, which I hated, I truly would rather be back in high school and sweat my ass off at volleyball practice to get my workout in.

Shifting slightly in my seat, I opened my eyes and bent over to grab one of my aching feet and start massaging them firmly. I had to get some relief from being on my feet so long and a little massage seemed to sound best to me right now. I hadn't had a request as big as this one in quite a while but if I am being honest, I am more than happy for it! I needed this opportunity to get my name and business out there to make something of myself here, back home. I just prayed that these new customers loved my baked treats just as much as those back in Colorado.

Speaking of which, Im due to get on a video chat with Ricki soon, he has been hounding me about calling him, claiming I have forgotten all about him already. I chuckle and shake my head at his worry, he so sweet and I miss him dearly.

Side note: Don't forget to call Ricki tonight!

The little girl, her name is Emery, who I baked the cupcakes for lived here in NY and only about 10 minutes away from my dads house. Her mom had called me earlier this morning, before eight and confessed to me that as soon as she saw my website and all the photos of my most popular cakes on there, she said she never dialed a phone number so fast in her life! That gave me a quick laugh before she went on to beg for me to make her 125 cupcakes for her daughters birthday party but before I got a chance to ask her when the birthday was she revealed that the party was tomorrow! Talk about short notice...but she knew which is why she begged and pleaded and promised she would pay me double my asking price, per cupcake! Needless to say my eyes almost popped out of my head — Apparently her go to baker was out of town and couldn't get back in time to make the cake for Emerys birthday.

Long story short, I calmed her down and promised her those cupcakes by tonight. She needed them by tonight simply because the party would start early tomorrow afternoon and she wanted to have them ready to go which I didn't mind, I had to work my butt overtime all day for her cupcakes anyway, she may as well have them as soon as they are finished.

I twist my neck slightly, letting my foot drop from my knee, to peer back at the six white delivery boxes that hold 20 cupcakes each and sigh, I have to get those packed in my dads car and ready to take over to my customers house. My eyes flitted from the boxes to the clock on the stove as it blinked back the time of 5:05pm at me.

I looked down at the clothes I currently had on and I knew very well I couldn't go like this. Im pretty sure my red hair had bits of batter and cake flour running throughout it, even though it was tied up in a loose bun, and yellow colored frosting marked my black leggings... oh and lets not forget the smell coming off of me made it seem as though I swam in a pool of buttercream frosting, and as delicious as that may be, I don't think I want to show up to a new customers home like such. I laughed internally at the thought of that actually being possible while lifting off the couch and heading to my bedroom to take a shower, change, and pack up the car with the delicious treats to make this little girls birthday that much more memorable.

Who didn't like delicious tasting cupcakes decorated perfectly to set the theme of their party? I hoped Emery would love them.

It took me all of half an hour to shower, change and do a quick blow dry of my hair. I didn't bother with make up or anything, I was too exhausted to even think about putting on the slightest bit of foundation and what for? I had no where to be and nobody to impress. If I'm being honest the least I had to wear make up, the better, I couldn't deal with having to use it all day, everyday. I was happy being natural and content in my own skin.

Thats not to say that I didn't like to spend some time and get dolled up every now and again because I loved it. I just didn't make it an everyday priority.

Dressed in a pair of dark wash skinny jeans and a simple black tank top — yup, nothing fancy here, I began making the few trips in and out of the house to fit all the boxes of cupcakes safely into the car. As I carried out the last box, I passed by the kitchen table and something black hanging on the chair caught my eye.

Damons leather jacket.

I immediately blushed and bit my lower lip at the memory of our time together last weekend. I cant believe it been a week already since that happened, it felt like just yesterday.

We were leaving the record store and it was slightly chilly. He apparently saw what I was oblivious to; that I was shivering from the slight cold and the next thing I knew his heavy leather jacket was wrapped around my shoulders. The warmth from the jacket enveloped me and the smell of his cologne assaulted my senses almost making my loose my balance as we walked side by side. I tried my hardest not to trip at the sweet gesture of his. I smiled up at him and thanked him before slipping my arms into the too big sleeves of the jacket. He chuckled softly as he eyed me getting swallowed by the item of clothing. I wasn't a tiny little thing but neither was Damon with his hulking back and shoulders so any fear of the jacket being snug on me were washed away. Damon made me feel dainty and small, just one of the many things I loved about that man....

Anyway I fell asleep on the car ride home, and according to my father, cue embarrassment...he carried me inside and upstairs to my room where he laid me down in bed, not having the heart to wake me to take off his jacket, he just gave me a kiss on the cheek and whispered