48

River

I stared at my new phone in boredom as I shoved it in my pocket.

The car came to a halt in our driveway and I hopped out dragging my suitcase with me.

My parents exited as well and I hurried toward the house. We'd been gone for a week and a half.

I was anxious to see Daimen.

I wonder how he'd been doing while I was gone?

I was putting my clothes up when my phone started ringing with an "Unknown Caller" ID. I frowned and answered. I'd lost all my contacts so who knows who it was...

"River?" I paused at Rick's frantic voice. There was a lot of background noise.

"Yes? Is something wrong?" I asked and he let out a shaking breath.

"It's Daimen..."

I hung up the phone and my blood felt like ice. Rick's words hung heavy in my mind. About how he was on Daimen's emergency contact list and since he wasn't even in the country he couldn't go... Daimen had been shot.

I needed to get to the hospital.

When I got the news there was no rational thought going through my mind. I didn't think of any consequences or anything, all I wanted was to be sure that Daimen, my Daimen, was okay.

I rushed out of my room and pelted to grab my purse by the dining table.

"Where are you going?" I didn't even pause at my father's voice. I threw my purse over my shoulder and started toward the door.

"I have to go see Daimen." I said and my father huffed.

"You're staying in this house. Your mother and I have to go to a meeting." My dad said and I whirled around. I locked eyes with him and his widened.

"He's in the hospital. I'm going to see him." I hissed and before anything else could be said I was out of the front door.

I stopped in my tracks as I heard barking. I hurried towards the front and stumbled in my stride as I saw a little old lady holding a hysterical dog by a leash.

"Maggie! Maggie! What happened?!" I cried out as I came to stand beside them.

She looked at me with wide eyes. My eyes landed on Rocky and I gasped. He was cut up and his muzzle was covered in blood, the crimson reaching up passed his eyes.

"Daimen got into a fight with that boy—Jagger? He shot Daimen and Rocky was in his car. Well he managed to jump through the window and attacked Jagger... almost killed him." Maggie said and my blood chilled.

"Good boy Rocky." I said petting him and he gave a bark and licked my hand before lunging towards the hospital entrance nearly knocking Maggie off balance.

"He's a loyal one. He got help and road in the ambulance with Daimen. But he couldn't go inside and they called me. The other boy—they took him to a different hospital." Maggie explained and I gave a nod.

"How is Daimen?" I asked and she looked at me with sympathy laced eyes.

"I wish I knew sugar, but I've been out here the whole time." She said and I nodded, gave her and Rocky a quick hug, and rushed inside.

Soon I was walking towards the hospital room and I passed a doctor, my eyes skimming his name tag. I paused and turned as he walked away.

"You're Daimen Princeton's doctor right?" I asked him as I caught up to him. He stopped walking and so did I. He glanced down at me his brown eyes curious.

"Yes—" the man said.

"How is he?" I blurted out. My heart was beating wildly. Please be okay.

He smiled softly, "He's in good shape. I say he should be out in a week or two." The doctor said and relief flooded through me. Too much relief in fact and my knees almost buckled as tears flooded down from my eyes, I know dramatic huh?

"Thank you." I told the doctor as I wiped my eyes and he gave a knowing smile and dipped his head.

"So what happened?" I asked the doctor.

"He was shot in the chest. Miraculously, it missed the vital organs. I think whoever shot him was aiming for the heart, but didn't get it. Your boyfriend's lucky, it could've been a very different ending." The doctor said and I nodded. He gave me a reassuring smile then walked away.

My hand shook as I opened the door to the hospital room and my heart pounded as I saw Daimen laying on the bed. An IV was attached to his arm. The door closed rather louder than expected and Daimen peeled open his eyes and looked in my direction. The scowl he gave me made my heart drop.

"If you came to see if I was dead, that's too bad." He grumbled and looked away from me. My mouth fell open and after the initial shock I regained my voice.

"I came to see if you were alright." I remarked and the man scoffed and gave me a sideways glance.

"What if I wasn't alright River?" Daimen asked looking fully at me, his brows furrowing as he spoke. "What if I fucking died? You haven't talked to me in almost two weeks. I could be dead right now. I should be dead right now." He snapped and my heart ached.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. I—" I began and the young man swiftly cut me off.

"Bullshit River, what, do you think I'm stupid? I called and texted you every fucking day and you ignored every one of them." Slay spat.

My phone.

"Daimen my dad—" broke my phone. I wasn't able to finish though because the young man was already ranting again.

"Fuck your dad. I'm talking about you and me." He huffed and sat up a bit more. My heart stuttered at the temporary look of pain in his eyes as he moved but the giveaway quickly vanished and was replaced by his hostile ways.

I moved closer to his bedside and he eyed me suspiciously. My heart broke at the scrutiny of his gaze and involuntary tears welled in my eyes. Now's not the time to cry, I scolded myself. But that became harder to fight as I caught sight of the bandage on his chest peeking through his hospital gown.

"What were you thinking?" I asked in a hoarse voice.

"I was gonna beat his ass." Daimen huffed.

"You can't fight everyone." I sighed.

"You think I don't know that?" He snapped. His eyes glared at me and my heart broke.

"Daimen please—" I tried.

"You know how pissed I am? I'm so fucking mad, but I know that I'm never gonna be mad enough to leave you. And that just pisses me off even more." Daimen huffed and looked away from me.

"My phone broke." I managed to say and Slay's eyes drifted over to me. "I would've called back or texted, but Dad broke my phone after you dropped me off at home and then I had to go with them on a business trip." I said.

"So you weren't ignoring me?" Daimen asked and I shook my head.

"No." I sighed. I walked over to his bedside and paused as he looked at me suspiciously.

"Why are you here?" Daimen asked me and I felt my chest tighten and butterflies swarmed my stomach as I leaned close to him.

My hands cupped his cheeks and I tried to keep myself at bay. Tears slid from my eyes still and I felt my chest tighten even more.

For a moment I met his eyes before mine closed and I pressed my lips against his. The kiss was short and sweet with a hint of desperation. My heart fluttered as we broke away.

"I'm so glad you're okay. If I lost you—I—I'd—" I begun to stutter before Daimen's lips silenced me. A moan rumbled in my throat.

The kiss was warm and full of a hungry passion. My fingers grabbed fistfuls of his shirt and I felt his hand curl into my hair to caress the back of my neck.

I didn't want to stop kissing him, but soon I had to pull away for a gulp of air. My eyes fluttered open and Daimen's were halfway closed as they met mine.

"I'm in love with you." I breathed and Daimen's lips broke into a bright smile.

"Really?" He asked softly.

"Yes." I sighed and his hands wrapped around my waist. "I love you. I'm sorry I couldn't say it before." I said and heard my voice crack.

"What I wouldn't give to make love to you right now." Daimen groaned and I looked at him with wide eyes.

"Daimen." I said in shock and he chuckled.

"You think they'll let me go?" He asked and I shrugged.

"They better." He said and sat up.

"Daimen you got shot, you can't-" I tried and he huffed and pulled me closer.

"I'm okay, it won't kill me and if it does I'll die happy." Daimen said.

"No, it needs to heal. You're staying here until you're better." I scoffed pulling away from him, trying not to smile, and Daimen frowned and crossed his arms looking to be pouting.

I visited Daimen every day in the hospital and we'd have long talks and heated kissing sessions. He'd tell me about the crazy things that'd happened at the hospital and I'd tell him what was going on back home and about Rocky, who was staying with Maggie at the time being.

On the day Daimen was finally released from the hospital I'd never seen him move so fast as he pulled me into a hug. I giggled and kissed his neck teasingly and he sucked in a breath.

"Wait till we get home." He whispered suggestively into my ear and my knees started growing weak. I slipped out of his grasp and got in my car, Daimen followed and hopped in the passengers seat.

My parents were gone on another business trip so we'd have the house to ourselves, and boy was I ready.

I started the car and drove out of the parking lot tensing slightly as Daimen put his hand against my thigh. He chuckled mischievously, his fingers gliding to my inner thigh and I gasped as his hand slowly inched upward.

"Slay stop." My words came out in more of a moan than anything and he leaned over and kissed the side of my neck slowly. My heart hammered as I stared forward trying to focus on the task at hand: driving.

"Slay..." I moaned as his hand rubbed between my legs while he kissed and gently bit my neck. He abruptly added pressure to his rubbing and pleasure shot through me and I couldn't help jerking the steering wheel.

"Shit, I'll stop." Daimen said pulling away and chuckled softly, "Don't want you crashing."

I shot him a look and focused back on driving, ignoring the longing rushing through my veins.

As soon as we were inside Slay scooped me up and made a beeline for my room. I laughed and held onto him as he shut the door before putting me down. My room was dimly lit, the lights off but sunlight peering through my closed blinds made it easier to see.

His eyes raked over me and he pulled me closer by the waist. His lips brushed against my neck and a moan slipped passed my lips.

"Who's my girl?" Daimen asked and pressed my body against his.

"Me." I breathed and he chuckled before kissing my neck. My heart raced as his warm breath billowed onto my throat before he dipped his head lower, his hair moving soothingly against my chin, and placed a fervor kiss against my collarbone.

"That's right baby girl. You're mine." He grunted and sucked on my skin.

I gasped as we fell back against my bed and Daimen kissed my neck aggressively.

"Daimen." I moaned and gripped a fistful of his hair. His groan made shivers rush down my spine and I wrapped my legs around his waist.

"I missed you." He sighed as I laid against the mattress. I moaned as his hands ran along me and in a sharp movement he'd tugged off my pants. I watched him through hooded eyes as he ran his fingers teasingly over the fabric of my panties and my skin heated under his touch.

"Can I?" He asked and I squirmed as he slipped a finger under the fabric.

"Yes. Please yes." I gasped....

I moaned as Daimen drove me crazy with his passionate sex. If you even call it that. But it felt like so much more. My body tensed as he kept going. An intense, sweet pressure was building up inside of me.

His hands locked with mine and our moans of ecstasy filled the room. My body arched against him and I let out a yelp as the intense pleasure grew and erupted inside me, turning me into a trembling mess. I ran my hands along his muscles and pressed against him. His body was sculpted by angels themselves.

"That's my girl." Daimen grunted and I knew he was close to loosing it.

"I love you." I gasped as he dipped his head into the crook of my neck and peppered my skin with gentle, toe-curling kisses; groaning my name as he climaxed.

Daimen raised himself up, his arms caging me comfortingly. He looked down at me and gave a soft smirk his tongue running over his lips before disappearing. His hooded amber eyes studied my face before he leaned closer to kiss the tip of my nose.

"Say it again," he huffed. "Please." His smirk widened.

The tone of his voice sent thrills throughout my body.

"I love you." I breathed and Daimen swooped in and pressed his lips to mine. His hands gripped my waist and my fingers buried themselves in his soft hair.

We finished a while later, our bodies sticky and sweaty. I managed to detangle myself from the entrapment of my sheets and was about to get up when steel hands pulled me back. I yelped as I landed against Daimen and he just wrapped his arms around my waist.

"Where ya going?" He sighed tiredly and I was stifling a yawn myself.

"Shower." I said and he let me go after pressing a kiss to my shoulder.

I smiled and went to my bathroom shooting a glance back at Daimen. He laid against my bed, his tanned skin peeking through my white sheets. He propped his head up with his muscled arm and watched me. His previously tired amber eyes roaming me were now alert and had a mischievous glint. I did my best to ignore the chills running down my spine and went into the bathroom.

The hot shower water pelted against my skin and I sighed in relaxation. I felt amazing. My eyes closed as I let the water run over me.

"God you're beautiful." Daimen's voice said suddenly and I jumped and opened my eyes to see him standing by the shower. I blushed and smiled.

"Are you coming in?" I asked stepping aside and he grinned.

"Yes ma'am." He said and stepped in beside me. He flinched at the water at first and I turned it down some.

"Damn Princess, a little warning next time." He huffed and I giggled and grabbed his face.

"Shut up." I sighed and kissed him.