Author’s Note: Like so many in the fandom, I was completely devastated after that horrendous cliffhanger finale in Perfect Match Book 1 yesterday. And I seriously needed some resolution in order to be able to move on. So this little story is something I had to do to help myself cope, and hopefully it will bring some peace to others as well.
Caveat – the entire first section is completely from the book and the storyline belongs entirely to Pixelberry. I take no credit, I just needed to borrow it to set the stage.
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“Look how beautiful everything is … how big. There is just so much out there in the world. It’s amazing.” You admire the vastness of the painting, the feeling of being both infinitely alone while also a part of something bigger than yourself. You turn your head to Damien and observe him staring expressionless at the painting. “What does it make you feel?”
He considers the painting, his eyes roaming the image in contemplation. “The way it makes me feel is just … indescribable.”
You feel your heart skip a beat at his last word … indescribable. “What did you just say?”
…
The chilled air brushes across your cheek, in stark contrast to the warmth of Damien’s lips against yours. He wraps his arms around your waist and pulls you closer, his strong grasp holding you tight as if he could never let you go. Your mouths and tongues dance until you surface, breathless, to gaze up into his eyes. From the corners of your vision you can see the City of Light surrounding you from all directions, glowing and twinkling from the streets below.
“What do you say we take this back to the hotel?” He says in a low, husky tone that makes you tingle down to your core.
“No. I want you here. Now.” You state in a seductive whisper, your voice laced with lust and demand.
Damien looks a little stunned at your request, pulling back to peer deeper into your eyes. “But … here?” His brow furrows in consideration and his lips curl down into a pout. Then his mouth twitches on one side.
“Why not? Don’t you want to?” You tease playfully, standing up on your tiptoes to press your mouth to his again. As you make contact, you feel a slight shock against your lips and jump back in alarm.
“What the …?” You massage the sting on your sensitive skin, then look back up to him to see him motionless with the same expression on his face. Brows furrowed, lips curled down in a pout … twitching on side. “Damien?” You cup your hand to his cheek, your digits burying themselves in his flesh … his rubbery, pliable flesh. Your hand retracts in alarm. But as you move away your fingertips pull the skin-like material with them, exposing a skeleton-like maze of metal.
…
“AHHHHHHHH!” You jolt up with a scream, fists gripping the sheets tightly as if you’re holding on for dear life. You feel hot and clammy all over, your nightgown clinging to your back and the sheets sticking to your legs. You try to calm your breathing as you take in your surroundings …
You’re in your room. In your apartment in New York. You sweep your hand across the bed beside you, only to find the sheets cold and his side empty. You glance at the clock on the nightstand; 3:12am. Your heart breaks a little more knowing he still isn’t sleeping well either.
You swing your legs over the side of the bed, a chill running up your spine as the cool air tickles the beads of sweat across the back of your neck. You grab your baggy sweatshirt and pull it over your head before walking down the hallway to the kitchen.
Damien is sitting at the table, his head in his hands and a glass of rum next to a half empty bottle in front of him. You pause in the dark hallway, hidden in the shadows as you watch him for a moment. He sits in silent reflection, eventually picking up the glass and taking a long swig. He pulls it away from his lips, observing the contents as he swirls the liquid in circular motions in front of his face and then drains the remains in one chug. He sets the tumbler down delicately on the surface and reaches for the bottle to pour himself another glass.
You step out into the light and place one hand on his shoulder, but he doesn’t look up. “Couldn’t sleep again?”
He shakes his head while his eyes stay focused in front of him. “You?”
“Same.” You pull out the chair beside him and sit, resting your hand on top of his on the table. “I had that same dream again … “ but you stop yourself, not wanting to relive it again. You pick up his glass and take a draw from it, hoping it will help chase the nightmares away. “You want to talk about it?”
His finally raises his eyes to meet your stare, his face displaying all the exhaustion and sadness lurking beneath the surface. “I’ve already told you everything that happened. It doesn’t change anything.” He sighs deeply. “I just wish we could put this whole thing behind us. Move on with our lives to happier times. Make new memories …” He looked back down at your hand on his, stroking his thumb over your skin.
“I know, D. I wish for that too.” Your voice falters as your eyes fill with tears. “But first we have to deal with Eros. Together.” His gaze meets yours again, a single tear falling from the corner of his eye. “Together, right?” you plead, brushing away the tear with a gentle swipe of your thumb.
“Yes.” He reaches his other hand up to cup your palm against his lips in a soft kiss before holding it against his cheek. “When I woke up in that dark cell, I was confused and alone. And I thought you were hurt, or worse … I thought that I had failed you.” He exhaled deeply, staring deeply into your eyes. “And I never want to feel that way again. I never want to lose you again. So from now on, it’s you and me, together … no matter what.” A faint, reassuring smile surfaces on his lips.
You can’t fight back the tears any longer, streaming down your face freely as you lean forward and pull his face to meet yours in a deep kiss. The world fades away, it’s only you and him, the salty taste of your tears mixed with the rum on his tongue. And for a moment you forget that you were ever apart, ever scared, ever in danger …
You pull apart and Damien brushes the tears from your face, a look of love and devotion in his eyes. “We should probably try to get some sleep.”
You nod in response. “Are you coming too? Come lay with me?”
He smiles thoughtfully, then grasps your hand as he stands and pulls you with him. “Of course. Together, Cami.” You follow him, your petite hand enclosed in his large one, down the hallway to your room. You lay down beside him on the bed, his arms wrapped around you as he nuzzles his face against your neck. You hear his breathing slow and his body relax as he gradually falls asleep.
You lie awake for a while, your mind still wandering. You reflect upon the events over the past few months and say a silent prayer of thanks that the universe has brought this man back to you. The real Damien, flesh and blood … holding you close, by your side. Your friend, your love, your partner. And for the first time in a while, you feel hopeful for what the future has in store.
END