47

"Yes I'm here Mikey, what are you doing?" I asked trying to keep my voice calm.

"About to go to sleep." He answered.

"Could you come get me?" I asked softly.

"Uh... sure Kitten. What's up? Where are you?" He questioned.

"At a hotel." I said.

"What are you doing?" Daimen asked and I ignored him. I gave Mike the information and he paused.

"What's going on?" Mike asked and I let out a breath.

"It's okay Mike. I'm fine. I just need to leave." I said and my ex huffed.

"Princess you're really overreacting." Daimen said and I glared at him.

"Shut up and go fuck Katina." I snapped anger and sadness swirling inside me.

"I'd rather fuck you." Daimen said and I tensed but turned my attention back to my phone.

"Err... I'm sensing a lot of tension. You sure--" Mike was cut off as Daimen took my phone from me.

"We're good man. She'll call you back later." Daimen said curtly and ended the phone call.

"Daimen!" I yelled in indignation and he frowned at me.

He tossed my phone onto the bed.

"Katina kissed me. She fucking got in the elevator with me and jumped me after I told her I didn't want her. I wasn't planning on kissing her, I didn't want to kiss her, but she kissed me dammit." Daimen said sharply and stalked over to me before tugging me against him. He wrapped his arms around me and laid his chin against my head.

"Do you really think so little of me?" Daimen asked and I just laid my head on his chest too emotional to say anything.

"That I'd just do you like that? As much as you'd like to believe it, I'd never do that to you." He ran a hand through my hair and hugged me tighter, his other arm resting just under my shoulder blades.

"You practically said Katina was hot." I mumbled.

"She is." Daimen said and kissed my hair. "But you're beautiful and smart and strong and mine and sexy and caring, plus you know how to eat." Daimen said and I frowned. I looked up at him.

"Yours?" I asked and he tilted his head.

"Huh?" He questioned.

"You said 'and mine.'" I said and his eyebrows raised.

"Oh... I meant to say fine." Daimen said.

"What about knowing how to eat?" I inquired and he smirked.

"You don't know how many girls I've known that every time I turn around they're eating a fucking salad. It's not like they were vegan or anything. I've got nothing against salads, but it can be a little much." He said with a chuckle. For awhile we both stood there in silence.

"You know I know you love me, right?" Daimen asked and I looked at him in shock. My throat ran dry.

"No I don't." I managed to get out of my tightening throat.

"I get it, you're scared--" he began and I pulled away from him.

Why does he do this?

"Stop. I don't know what I feel. But we can't be together." I said.

"Well we both can't stand to see the other with anyone else and I don't know about you, but I don't wanna end up alone." Daimen huffed.

"Then we just don't look at each other and we move on." I said softly.

"I don't want anyone else and if moving on means leaving you I'm fine where we are." The man said engulfing me in a hug.

"Why can't you be like normal guys and not talk about your feelings?" I said into his shirt.

"Princess, you know I'm not your average guy." Daimen sighed and ran his hands up and down my back.

"I'm going to shower." I muttered pulling away from him and going towards the bathroom.

"I'll join you." Daimen said tailing me and I let out a breath.

"Really Slay you don't have to." I said going into the restroom and turning on the shower.

I tensed as he shut the door before standing right behind me. His body heat was a teasing reminder against my back.

His hands ran up my arms to grasp my shoulders before he placed a kiss to my neck and whispered, "I missed you, after you left."

"I was gone for like ten minutes." I said attempting to shrug him off.

"That doesn't mean I didn't miss you." He said. I gulped as he kissed my shoulder.

"Slay stop." I gasped and I felt his lips smile against my skin.

"I love you so fucking much." He sighed.

"Sure." I said attempting to shrug him off.

"I do; I'll never love another girl... On second thought, I will." Daimen said and I huffed.

"Wh--" I began.

"Our daughter--if we stay together and start a family, I mean." He said and I felt my throat tightening. My heart swelled and I felt my eyes start to water. He just makes me fall deeper in love with him. I couldn't hold it back for long and soon I was crying.

"Riv? Don't cry Princess. Look at me. Look at me baby. What's wrong?" He asked as I looked up into his concerned amber eyes.

"I'm okay." I croaked. He smiled sadly and kissed my forehead.

"What is it?" He asked as he hugged me to him. I glanced up at him and found myself staring at his lips.

I love you. I really love you. Just tell him. I told myself.

"I don't know." I grumbled instead.

What the fuck is wrong with me?!

He was about to say something when I flung my arms around his neck and pulled him to me. I pressed my lips to his and he was unresponsive for a second before he kissed me back. My body pressed against his as I deepened the kiss and Slay groaned and picked me up. My legs wrapped around his waist and his lips smiled against mine.

He soon was carrying me back into the room and we laid on the bed. I wish I could say it was just sex, but it was the closest thing to making love I'd ever done. Afterwards we cleaned ourselves in the shower and laughed as we joked about the days earlier events. And at that moment I knew; I was hopelessly in love with Daimen Princeston.

But I couldn't make the words come out to tell him.

I sighed as he laid beside me; his fingers brushing my side. I gave him a long look and he took the opportunity to grip my hips and pull me closer. My heart swelled with warmth as he kissed my forehead gently and said, "I've got the most beautiful girl in the world."

River

"I'll see you later." Daimen said as I opened the car door. It was around two o'clock and the early morning sky was dark and dotted with beautiful stars. I glanced at him and gave a nod. He smirked and grabbed my hand before kissing the back of it and then moving his lips to my wrist. I giggled and pulled my hand away.

"Stop it." I huffed and he chuckled.

I felt his gaze on me as I exited the car and shut the door. I walked down the driveway, taking note that my parents' car was there, and to my front porch. I fished for my keys before unlocking the door.

"I love you Princess!" Daimen called out the window and I looked back to him and felt my face burn in a blush.

"Shut up." I mouthed and he smirked before rolling up the window. I shook my head and went inside.

"There you are." A deep voice barked and I jumped.

"Holy mother of fuck." I muttered as I turned to my father my hand leaving my heart. I let out a breath as I saw he looked angry.

"Where were you?" My father asked in a seething voice and I gave him a long look.

"I was with Slay." I said casually and I could see even more anger spark in his blue eyes.

"You're still seeing him?" He snapped and I gave a sigh. I was trying to keep the conversation as civilized as I could.

"Yes." I felt a small smile tug at the corners of my mouth as I thought of the other night. "I already told you I loved him, why would I stop seeing him? Just because you hate him doesn't mean I won't keep going back. Daddy I love him more than I could ever tell you. I'm not gonna say I'm sorry or anything like that because it's the truth and I'm not gonna lie to you. I love Daimen." I said and my father frowned.

"You're making a mistake." He grumbled and I shook my head.

My phone buzzed and I looked down at it, pulling it from my pocket, and glanced at the lit up screen.

Quick as a flash of lightning, my father ripped the phone from my hands and a few milliseconds later it was smashing against the wall. My mouth dropped open as I stared at the dent in the wall and the broken remnants of my smartphone scattered around the floor from the glass-shattering impact.

"Daddy! Why'd you—what the fuck—why?" I stammered in disbelief. My father only gave me a scowl.

"Let me catch you with that boy again." He growled then stomped towards his room.

"Your mother and I are going on a trip, you're coming too." My father spat then he was gone into his room.

I stared at the closed door in shock before picking up the pieces of my phone, numbly discarding them, and retreating to my room.

A suitcase was seated in the middle of my room along with some clothes. I frowned and collapsed on my bed.

My heart hammered in my chest and I hit my pillow in anger.

I didn't want to go anywhere with my parents and I was pissed that I was now without a phone and I realized with a jolt I didn't have a way to contact Daimen now.

"Pack your stuff! We're leaving in an hour!" My dad's voice yelled and I let out a huff as I shoved stuff in the bag.

Oh well... I'd see him when we got back... it'd be fine. I glanced at the ring on my finger and smiled.

I scowled as I followed my parents through the airport. I was wearing a dress my mom had insisted I wear and my frown deepened as I met the wandering eyes of some men.

I moved closer to my mom and looked away.

"Come along baby." My mom said and grabbed my hand. It shocked me, her affectionate tone, and I felt emotion stir deep within me. I accepted her hand and walked along.

We waited for about twenty minutes before boarding and I sat beside the window staring out at the city as we lifted off.

Daimen

The air was thick with humidity as I walked towards my home.

My fingers held my phone tightly as I sent another message to River. She'd ignored all my texts and calls for the past few days and I didn't know what to think of it. After that night—that amazing night—at the hotel I'd taken her home and then—

—nothing. Not one word; it was like she'd fallen off the face of the earth.

I'm coming over. I sent her the text and glared at the "Delivered" notification on the bottom.

What the hell was she doing? Was this her way of cutting me off? I scowled at the thoughts running through my mind and made my way towards her house.

It wasn't long before I made it to her home and my frown deepened as I realized she wasn't there. I stared at the empty driveway and let out a flurry of curses before kicking up some grass. I let out a breath and tried to ignore the feeling of abandonment blooming inside of me. Swearing under my breath, I turned on my heels and marched towards my house.

I glanced at my phone once more. The blank screen seemed to mock me as I gazed at the picture I took of River that day we'd went to the mall. I'd snuck a picture of her in the black dress as she'd walked out to show me. She looked beautiful; hell, she always does. I scowled and shoved it back in my pocket.

I continued my walk and my thoughts drifted to River once more.

A smile tugged on my lips as I thought about how she snuggled up to me as she slept. How her hands gripped my shirt when I first kissed her. How she froze up and looked at me with those gorgeous eyes that night I saved her from those guys back in high school. How she looked as she stopped me from beating the guy that'd shot Rocky. How she held me as I cried... damn I loved her so much.

My eyes felt hot and I blinked. Fuck, was I tearing up, what the fuck? I wiped my eyes and kept walking.

I rubbed my temples and sighed. My phone was discarded on my bed and I paced back and forth.

She hated me. River hated me.

I'd called and texted: nothing.

I went to her job to see her and Maggie informed me that River was going to be out of town for a while.

Rocky bounded around me and I glanced at him before scratching behind his ears.

I let out a breath and grabbed my car keys.

I needed to drive.

I exited my house and Rocky padded alongside me as I got into my car. Rocky hopped into the passengers seat and looked over at me with a grumble.

I started the engine and turned up the radio listening to the country music pouring in and started down the road.

The drive was long and relaxing.

I was going back towards home when three guys caught my attention.

Only because one through a rock at my car—he missed but still.

I scowled as I recognized the boy.

Jagger.

I pulled the car to a stop on the side of the road.

I opened the car door and Rocky tried to follow me. "No." I said pushing him gently back. "Stay here." I ordered and he whined as I shut the door.

The three men turned to me as the door shut and one chuckled.

"Look who it is; Mr. Loverboy. Hey, how's that sweet little broad of yours? How'd you scoop her up?" One guy said looking genuinely curious.

"Oh you don't want one of those man, trust me." Jagger said and I locked my eyes on him.

He looked me up and down and sneered.

Rocky barked from the car, muffled by the window.

As I neared Jagger pulled a gun up, this time switching off the safety. I stopped walking and glared at him.

"Woah, Jagger the hell are you doing?" One of his buddies sputtered and looked at him then me with wide eyes.

"Shut up Knix." Jagger spat. The guy Knix shook his head.

"Don't do it Jagger. I'm fucking gone." Knix said before sprinting away. The other left as well. Jagger watched them go and scoffed.

I turned my attention back on Jagger and he glared at me, a vile amused look glowing in his eyes.

"You told me to shoot next time. Have fun in Hell Slay." Jagger said and pulled the trigger.

With a loud bang and an explosion of pain everything faded away. And all I could think was:

River.

Rocky's snarl sounded faintly in my ears before black swallowed me up.