Date = 22 NovemberPlace = San Francisco (Damion’s house)POV – DamionWARNING – sex scene!!!“I love you.”It was just a whisper, but it was clear enough.I don’t think she meant to say it out loud, but it snookers me and stops my heart.The usual fear of being unworthy leaps into my heart and grows until it feels as if it’s going to burst and destroy me. But this time there’s no backing out — Johnny walked through the tunnel.And what a walk it was.I have never been so aroused. I could barely contain myself. I’ve never felt this much desire … this hunger. And I had no control. None, whatsoever.She moans in her sleep and I pull her closer, tracing the contours of her arm with my finger. She’s so fucking perfect. My body stirs as I watch her.I can wake her. Have my way with her again. I wiggle my nose into her hair, smelling the vanilla flowery cocktail that’s her, and sigh. I’m so fucked.I switch on the TV and scroll through the channels until I land on Harry Potter and the Philos
Date = 23 NovemberPlace = San Francisco (Damion’s house)POV – DamionWARNING – sex scene!!I wake up to an empty bed and for a brief moment, panic strikes my heart — not something wholly new to me. Fear and nightmares too. I came to know it all too well ever since my sister died. And in the time since, I’ve been prancing around a stockpile of guilt and a dash of PTSD, conjointly.For a second, the thought that something happened to her scares me, or that she might have left, or that D took her. All very real possibilities.But then I hear movements in the bathroom and I start to breathe freely. Her phone is on the nightstand and I take it to see what time it is.There’s a message on the screen. She must’ve forgotten to close it after reading it. It’s from the douche ex-boyfriend.Ren: We need to talk about Damion #TruthMustComeOutAsshole.Suddenly, I have a cramp in my tummy. Truth? What truth? There are so many.Will it be so bad if I just snap his neck or something? I mean, one le
Date = 23 NovemberPlace = San Francisco (Damion’s house)POV - Damion“Listen, dude, I’m really sorry for giving you that pill,” Logan apologizes. Finally, he’s come around. I knew he would given time.“It’s not your fault. No one knew I was allergic.” I pat him on the back and help him to lift the cooler. “Not even me.”“And you should know that even though you dating my sister is creepy,” he continues while pulling an I-smell-shit face, “I much rather have you as a brother-in-law than anyone else.”“If that makes any sense,” he scuffs.“Thanks.” What else can I say?“Hi, Sorella! (Italian = sister)” Alejandro strides into the kitchen, grabs Mel from behind, and swings her through the air.“Eeehh,” she screams just before she throws her arms around his neck and whispers something in his ear. His icy eyes find me over her shoulder, guarded, appraising me.Mel whispers some more before she lets him go and he gets this big mischievous smile on his face, lighting up his eyes.I hate thei
Date = 30 NovemberPlace = Rome (Terrazze Fedro Penthouse)POV - DamionI stare down at the photo on my phone. The one Chloe sent to me earlier.If I thought it was bad then … it’s much much worse now. At least then I didn’t know the asshole was related to me.“Say something,” Dad pleads from behind me. It feels as if I’ve been kicked by a horse in the stomach. I’ve been kicked by a horse, and this is pretty much how it felt like.I don’t have words. None. What do you say in this situation?Congratulations? Are you fucking kidding me? I’m so happy? That’s nice? Oooh, I always wanted an older brother?None of them is what I have in mind. No, I’m thinking way more elaborate — more in the terms of —piss off and fuck me blind.But I can’t say that to my father, now can I.So, instead, I’m standing on the expansive terrace of my penthouse, with my back to him, staring at the view stretching from St. Peter’s Dome and the Vatican to the Vittoriano and the historic city center.It’s a beautifu
Date = 7 DecemberPlace = San Francisco (Damion’s house)POV – MelaenaFor the last romantic touch, I put the vase with fresh flowers in the middle of the table. I stand back and look at my hard work with a satisfied smile. I’ve laid the table, Alejandro helped me light the fireplace, and the food I prepared is being kept warm in the oven.I’m showered and dressed — comfortably in his shirt and jeans, but with some wicked sexy underwear, and no shoes. I hope he loves the surprise. Although, this might backfire and the surprise may be him dumping my ass.Then I hear the key turning and my heart almost stops.He’s back!Oh my. He’s really here. And for the first time in two weeks, my spirits lift a fraction and I allow myself to wonder how this night is going to go. The best scenario — we’re going to chat and eat and indulge in loads of steamy hot sex. I don’t want to think about the worst — where he shatters my heart and destroys me forever.Damion left for Europe the day after the near
Date = 18 DecemberPlace = Montana (Big Sky)POV - DamionI sit off-center at the top of the ski slope, my board haphazardly stuck into the snow next to my helmet, and stare contemplatively at the heart-stopping view in front of me — sharp, majestic snow-covered peaks coil in a full circle perspective around me.It’s like being on top of the world — in sharp contrast to the bottom-of-the-earth, I’m feeling.I suck in some pine-scented air, loving the way it pains to breathe at this altitude.I remember my first time out here. Logan and I were freshmen and oh so eager to prove ourselves to the bigger boys. So, when the twins dared us to race down this slope — we didn’t think twice — not knowing it was a black diamond. And even if he had, I didn’t even know back then what a black diamond meant.We tried our best, but could not keep up with them, but we didn’t mind. We were just glad to finish with our bodies still intact. We were so proud. Filled with the rush of over-induced adrenaline.
Date = 25 DecemberPlace = San Francisco (Mel’s house) (Uncle John’s house)POV - Melaena“Mel!” Kiara’s voice cries through my dreams. Or rather nightmares. “Wake up.”My eyes flutter open and a beam of light blinds me for a second or two. Why did she draw the curtains? Bitch. When I say the word bitch I mean it in the most affectionate way possible, I swear.I groan and sit up slowly. The light from the mid-morning sun flows into the room. I wish the sun would get a pain up it’s happy ass.“Merry Christmas!” she shouts, grabbing me around my neck. Then she lets go rather quickly.“Phew,” she fumbles her nose into a twist. “You stink!” I lift my arm and take a whiff. There is a slight little odor. But I haven’t bathed for a day … maybe two … three … I can’t remember.“I don’t smell anything.” She stares at me — a long judgy look.“Well, you’re going to get out of this bed, take a shower, and get ready … we’re going in thirty.” She gets up and steps carefully between the pizza boxes, e
Date = 25 DecemberPlace = San Francisco (Uncle John’s house)POV – DamionMy brother smacks me on the back. “Go get her, man. I mean, look at you—what have you got to lose?”He’s right. Without her, I’ve got nothing left. When you’ve got nothing, you’ve got nothing left to lose.“I hope she listens.”“Yeah, good luck with that. It’s my bullheaded sister you’re talking about.” Jackson gives me encouragement. He’s right.She is stubborn, but I can be too. If she doesn’t listen, I’ll make her. Because she’s worth it.“She’s in there,” Enrique nods his head in the direction of the little bathroom beneath the stairs. I stand in front of the door and hear the water running, nervous as a cat in a dog-pound. The door opens and she slams straight into me.“Asshole!” she hisses, but her blue eyes scanning over me are not filled with hate. I can swear I see some lust in them. She looks nervous. “And you look like shit.” I smile faintly — has she looked in the mirror lately?“Well, Merry Christma