Damon (The Protectors #1)(36)
A sexy grin curved his lips for a slight second pleased that his touch affected her as much as her touch sent him reeling. He wanted to kiss that unhappy frown from her lips, but knew he had to take care of this situation because if he didn't she would run again. “I know Alice talked to you.” Seeing the surprise flash across her face told him that he and Jared had been right on. “I want to know what she said to you.”
“I don't know what you're talking about.” Nicole glanced down staring at her feet. She didn't want to relive that conversation and she was embarrassed to think that Jared and Duncan thought she was a burden and hurting Damon in anyway. Her feet started to blur as tears filled her eyes. Do. Not. Cry. She repeated the words she grew up repeating over and over again. Her head flew up when she heard Damon on the phone.
“Did you find her?” He ask into the phone. “Okay. Pick her up. We're on our way.”
“What are you doing?” Nicole eyed the phone. “Who was that?”
“Get your stuff.” Damon walked toward her. “If you aren't going to tell me what happened then I'll find out myself.”
“No.” Nicole whispered in horror. “No!”
“Then tell me because one way or another I am going to find out.” Damon shoved his phone in his back pocket and pulled her keys out of his front pocket.
Nicole's face burned. He was backing her in a corner and she didn't like it. “Why are you doing this?” Nicole felt her anger hitting a dangerous level. “Just leave it alone.”
“I don't like anyone hurting you.” Damon crossed the room causing her to back up a step. “I won't tolerate it. I know Alice and how she is.”
Okay, she didn't expect that. Never in her whole life had anyone showed this much protection toward her and she didn't know how to handle it. She searched his golden eyes, his expression and realized that he really meant what he said. Feeling tears leaking out the corner of her eyes she quickly turned away panicked. She would not cry in front of him. She cried in front of no one. Hell, she hardly ever cried at all. It showed weakness. She had learned not to do that at a very young age.
“Nicole?” Damon walked up behind her touching her gently on the shoulder.
“Oh God.” His closeness, his touch, his voice was all it took to break her. Great heavy sobs overtook her body. She doubled over, arms crossed over her stomach. Years of tears burst free dripping to the floor. It was all too much. Harsh reality squeezed her heart in a painful grip.
Damon grabbed her, picking her up with care, carrying her to the couch. “Let it out.” Damon whispered, his lips pressed to her head that was cradled against his chest. Her pain tore at him more than anything he had ever experienced before. He didn't say anything else. There was nothing to say. He just held her as she let all the pain and craziness of her life out in a good old fashion cry.
“I got your shirt all wet.” Nicole sniffed wiping at her eyes feeling like a total idiot. “I'm sorry. I never cry.” She looked away embarrassed.
Damon lifted her chin with a finger, looking into her eyes. “You can get my shirt wet anytime you need to.” He brushed a stray tear escaping down her flushed cheek. “I bet you haven't had a good cry in quite some time.”
“I haven't cried since I was really little.” Nicole answered honestly. “Shows weakness and in my case weakness was not a trait I could afford to have.”
“I'm sorry you had to live that way.” Damon cradled her head back to his chest. “But it's made you the woman you are today. A woman I respect deeply.”
Okay, that sent the warm sensations swarming through her body. “Thank you. That means a lot to me.” Nicole whispered, touched. Then her head popped up panicked. “Please call whoever you called and tell them not to bring Alice anywhere to meet us.”
“First you tell me what happened.” Damon wasn't going to budge. “I don't leave things undone. I want to hear from you what happened.”
With a deep stuttering breath Nicole told him about her conversation with Alice and actually felt a little better.
Holding his anger in check was the hardest thing he had ever done, but he didn't want Nicole to think it was directed at her. “Alice has tried for years to be mated to me.” Damon explained. “She obviously feels threatened by you and decided to scare you off and it almost worked. I have never been with her other than feeding...”
“Damon, you don't have to explain this to me. It's really none of my business who you're with or been with.” Nicole broke in pushing herself off his lap, but he held her not letting her go.
“I know I don't, but I want to.” Damon grasped her chin gently bringing her face to up to meet his brushing his thumb back and forth across her tear stained cheek. “I have only fed from her Nicole. The same with Jared and Duncan. We pick who we have relationships with, not the Council.”
She saw in his eyes the truth and felt totally stupid for acting like a jealous idiot. This was all new to her. She avoided relationships because of this very thing. She didn't want to....hurt and the worst hurt is loving and not being loved back. “I'm sorry Damon.” Nicole sniffed reaching up touching his hand that held her chin. “I just don't want to be a problem to anyone. I can't change that about myself.”