Sherry’s POV:
I quickly ran into Damon’s arms, hugging him tightly as soon as he stepped out of his car.
I felt so relieved that I could use my wolf’s vision because I could see he wasn’t hurt in any way.
Only a few hours had gone by, yet it felt like many years to me.
“You’re back and safe,” I whispered softly as he chuckled.
“Of course I am. I’m sorry I didn’t call Alec to inform you that I was okay and on my way back home,” he said, then lifted me up in a bridal style and walked into the pack house, ignoring the stares of our pack members.
Once we were in the living room, he let me down and went on to greet Maggie, who was sitting on the sofa.
“I’m back,” he said softly, then moved and stood opposite her as she smiled and nodded at him.
Alec walked into the room and leaned against the door frame with a wide smile on his face. His eyes were directed at Damon’s back trouser pocket.
“Luna, I’m glad to inform you that the Alpha bought something for you,” he said as I turned and looked at Damon.
“It’s just a cell phone, Alec. I figured my mate would want one, so I made a quick stop at a store,” he answered and then took the box from his pocket and sat down on the sofa.
I quickly went to him, grabbing the box from his hand and putting it down, surprising him.
I slowly sat on his lap and wrapped my arms around his shoulders, resting my head against his chest.
“I don’t need any presents, Damon. Just you being here with me is the best gift I can ever receive,” I whispered as the room went quiet.
He wrapped his arms around me and rested his head against mine.
He was tired, as I could see, and he definitely deserved to have a beautiful warm bath.
Not long ago, I began thinking of how amazing it would be if we could communicate using our own mind link or bond even deeper.
I knew he was a gentleman and only thought about my well-being, but I wanted us to move forward in our relationship.
I stood up and grabbed his hand, forcing him to stand up.
“What is it?” he asked with a frown.
“Run,” I said playfully, then ran out of the pack with him behind.
He allowed me to drag him to the forest without a word until we reached the hot spring.
Although it was dark, I could see clearly, and so could he.
“We are here,” I whispered softly, then let go of his hand and took a few steps forward, admiring the place again.
A few flowers that surrounded the hot spring were glowing at the edge, and the water was clear blue, yet somehow slightly white. The moon rays hitting the top made it sparkle, and it was just breathtaking.
Although neither of us had clean clothes, I still wanted us to have a good time and relax.
I gasped when Damon walked past me naked.
“How on earth did I not hear him take off his clothes!” I yelled at myself silently, then swallowed hard.
His body was on full display, and he didn’t seem to mind.
He was taller than I had imagined back when I couldn’t see him, and his hair was a bit longer than what he had said. His body muscles were insane, and his ass made my mouth water. Although he had a few burn marks on his back, he still looked very sexy.
He slowly got into the water and waved at me.
My heart was beating rapidly just watching his every movement when he wasn’t even looking at me.
“Don’t be obvious that you want him to hold you. Strike up a conversation,” I whispered to myself, then cleared my throat as I moved forward and sat down at the edge, dipping my feet in warm water with a smile.
“So, how was it, going out without your mask?” I asked softly.
“Crazy, but also great. A few people looked at me in disgust, but I paid no attention to them. Ah, also, Lee paid no attention to my scar,” he answered as I smiled happily, then looked at myself as the smile faded.
How was I to seduce him into holding me without looking like a slut?
It had been so long since I looked at my body seriously.
I hated every part of me because it only reminded me of how much of a whore I was.
When I heard one of the warriors scream that Damon had returned, I came out of the bathroom shower without a second thought. I put on a dress, quickly buttoned it, and rushed out of the bedroom after putting on my slippers. I thought nothing of how the pack members would think about me being in a wet dress because I just wanted to be with him and see if he was safe.
I moved my hands to the buttons on my chest and hesitantly began to unbutton them.
When Damon moved in front of me, I stopped.
How was I supposed to take the first step? I thought to myself sadly.
“Allow me,” he whispered, then moved his hands to my buttons, swiftly undoing them all and pushing the dress off of my shoulders.
My gaze was quickly lowered because I didn’t want to make him feel uncomfortable.
“You have an amazing body,” he said as I gasped loudly and pushed him to the side, quickly jumping into the water in embarrassment.
Back when I served Ian and Neo in the pack, I made sure to live up to their expectations, so I ate and dressed well. But since I met Damon, I reluctantly let go of my old habits.
In place of a flat stomach, I now had a chubby one, and my breasts looked slightly bigger than they usually were.
This is when it was dawning on me that I had gained weight, and I felt embarrassed.
A hand on my shoulder made me turn and look at him, but I quickly lowered my eyes.
“Won’t you look at me?” he asked softly.
I smiled, then slowly looked up with a rapidly beating heart.
The first thing I felt was relief when I saw how he was smiling down on me.
I raised my hand and caressed the scarred side of his face as he closed his eyes and leaned into my touch.
“You don’t feel repulsed, do you?” he asked when he had opened his eyes.
“No, I am not. I love you so much, Damon, that even if you were scarred all over, I would still love and choose you,” I answered seriously as a tear rolled down my cheek.
It hurt knowing that he still didn’t take my words seriously.
He smiled widely, then leaned in and kissed me as I kissed him back.