Page 62 of Encircled in Darkness
“You’re hungry. Let me feed you.” Devlin replied and pulled her by the hand to the food, glaring at the servers who tried to help him.
Looking around, I turned to James and wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling myself up and hugging his neck. I whispered softly, “Thank you.”
Music started playing softly in the background and I swayed with James, my face buried in his shoulder. I could feel people watching, but it wasn’t about them. It was about us, about me, trusting my heart and letting Natalia’s words guide me. I was still afraid but knowing James would kill anyone who tried to hurt me, lessened the fear.
Someone cleared their throat behind me, and I turned to see Preston, my father, standing there with two dessert boxes. I smiled at him and released my grasp on James. His eyes twinkled and I reached for the boxes. He pulled them back and asked. “Where can I put these?”
James took them from him and quickly placed them on a side table. Returning to us, he watched as I stared into Preston’s eyes,my eyes, and felt a piece of myself click into place. I reached out and extended my hand to him. He placed his palm against mine and we walked out of the tent, James following closely behind.
“I’m so sorry about your sister. I wish... I tried...” He began as we stopped at the edge of the lake.
“Let’s not look back at something we can’t change. There are too many good years ahead of us to get bogged down in the past.” I said and suddenly felt lighter.
I could almost feel Natty standing next to me, our eyes looking out across Pierce Lake as the future we had dreamed of came true. James kissed me on the cheek and returned to the tent as Preston and I sat by the water and got to know each other. A plate of food was placed in my lap and one was handed to Preston as James sat on the bench behind us, watching every moment without interfering.
With a promise to meet for lunch this week, I left him sitting by the water as James and I returned to the gathering. Feeling overwhelmed with gratitude, I spoke to the small group of friends.
“Thank you for being here today and for helping me say goodbye to my sister. She would have loved each one of you and I know she’s smiling down at us, happy that we’re all here, together.”
I got hugs from everyone as they dispersed from the gathering one by one. Skid pulled me into a deep hug, and I could feel the tension rolling off James. A young man walked up next to him, wearing a new leather vest with the word prospect on the patch.
“Amaya, this is my younger brother Jacob.”
“Brother, brother?” I asked, looking between the two attractive men who strongly resembled each other.
“He’s twelve years younger than me. Smart as hell too.” Skid, aka Dalton, remarked with pride.
Jacob blushed at the compliment and I pulled him into a hug as he awkwardly patted my back. They left, the loud sounds from their motorcycles echoing from the parking lot as they pulled away. James and I walked around the lake as the caterers broke down the tents and tables. Coming to the gate leading to the edge of the Pierce estate, I looked through the bars. “I’ve got a code if you want to go inside. I know Preston wouldn’t mind.”
“Not today.” I replied and we turned around, the sound of the lapping water settling my restless soul.
Returning to the apartment, Nova howled for food and James muttered under his breath. ‘cock blocker’ I started laughing and couldn’t stop. Doubling over, I cackled at the silliness of it all and felt happy tears well instead of sad. He laughed and watched me as I fought to catch my breath.
“How would you feel about going away from a while?” James asked as I wiped the remaining tears from my face, my cheeks hurting from laughing so much.
I walked to him, wrapped my arms around his neck and pushed up to my tiptoes. Kissing him, I felt his tongue caressing mine, twisting and tangling as he held the back of my head in his strong grip. Pulling back, I asked, “Where would we go?”
“Wherever you want to go. I’ll give you the world if that makes you happy.”
“I’ve never seen the ocean.” I admitted and James smiled.
“I haven’t either.”
He took me by the hand and led me to the balcony. Sitting down on the couch, he pulled me into his lap and rubbed my back as I saw the lights to Preston’s house turn on. Knowing I had family, both blood and chosen, had the darkness retreating into the deep recesses of my soul.
James knew how to call it to the surface with his monster, but never again did I have to worry about it swallowing me whole, threatening to destroy me. Turning, I met his green eyes with my brown, and I felt my lids hood in desire.
He licked his lips and asked, “Are you sure?” his tone deep and dark with need.
I could feel his length growing under my ass as I nodded and replied. “I need the monster.”
He gripped the back of my hair and stood, forcing my legs to the floor. Slamming his lips to mine, he torqued my head to the side and whispered. “Run.”
I pulled the sliding door open and took off through the enormous apartment with James close on my heels. When he caught me, his monster showed my darkness how much he loved me until neither of us could stand.
When you had needs that were unorthodox, knowing you had someone safe to experiment with made dancing in the darkness something you craved. With James, I knew we could encircle ourselves in darkness and still find the light.
