Captain Of Can'ts

Damon pulled away, his breath coming in ragged gasps. His eyes, still clouded with desire, were replaced with panic.

"We can't," he rasped.

He took another step back, putting more than enough distance between them.

Naomi stared at him, still reeling from the intensity of his kiss and her body humming with unfulfilled want.

"Why?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "Why can't we?"

He wouldn't meet her gaze. He simply shook his head, running a hand through his disheveled hair.

"We just... we can't." He said, taking more and more steps away from her.

Naomi got off the table, confused as she hurried towards him. “Why not? You're my husband.”

Damon stretches his arm forward, stopping Naomi from coming in any closer to him.

“Stop.” He pleaded, his eyes barely meeting hers. “Please. Don't come any closer.”

Naomi froze, what is happening? Why was he acting this way towards her? They both clearly want this but something seems to be wrong somehow.

“Why don't you want me to come any closer?” She asked.

“Please. Just stay right there.”

“Is it because I'm a virgin?” She asked and she finally met her gaze; she was right it is because she was!

“Yes and no.”

“Yes and no?” She frowned. “What do you mean by that?”

Damon sighed, “It's complicated.”

Her frown deepens. “Do you hate virgins?”

“What? No!”

“Do you think they are inferior because they don't have any sexual experience?”

“Of course not! Naomi, please we don’t…”

“You don't want me?” She asked, her voice catching Damon off guard by how hard she was trying to make her voice steady.

“I do.” He muttered. Hell, he has never wanted a woman like he wants her but this…he just couldn't.

“Then what is the problem?!” She asked.

Damon couldn't even bring himself to say the words. It was best if he didn't, maybe she'll leave then and find happiness somewhere else..

“I just can't.” He repeated.

Naomi ignored his outstretched arm, shoving it aside and covering the distance between them until there was barely any space left.

He could feel everything; he could her thighs on his, her perfume, the smell of her shampoo, and those pleasure-glazed eyes..

“What is the problem?” She asked once more. Her lips were close to his and more than anything, he wanted to draw her in and kiss her.

He wanted to show her how much he wanted her but he couldn't. He couldn't be this selfish.

“I can't.” He said again..

“Why can't you?!” She snapped, unable to control her anger. “Just like you can't tell me why you left me for six years and never showed up for once to be there for me?! Why can't you?!”

Tears threatened to roll down her chin as her frustration only got worse. Why the hell would he drive her mad with want that she's never experienced before only to leave her hanging!

Why the hell wouldn't he tell her why he wouldn't make love to her? Why wouldn't he even look at her?

Damon moves away from her with great difficulty and heads towards the door without saying a word.

“Damon, if you leave without giving me a response, I'll never talk to you again.” Her voice rang out in seriousness, her arms wrapped around her shoulders.

The door clicked shut behind him, the sound echoing in the now silent room.

Naomi stood frozen, still shaking from the dizzying heights he had taken her to, only to drop her, abruptly, without explanation.

He just left her. Just like that, without an explanation, not even an apology was sent her way!

She grabs the lamp on the table and slams it on the wall, screaming. It wasn't the fact that he left her that annoyed, it was the fact that he said nothing.

She paced the room, anger fueling her movements.

We can't? What the hell does that mean? How could he just leave her like this?!

She tried to reason with him, to find some logical explanation for his abrupt coldness, but none came. He had wanted her, she knew it. She had felt it, tasted it, seen it in his eyes. And then he had just… left.

Her body still hummed with the way he had touched in places no one else had, and she was disappointed and angry. What logical response could he possibly have?

She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down as she headed to the bathroom. She took a shower, fighting back the urge to cry. It was pointless, she'll have to get past that.

She changed into her nightwear and headed straight to bed but sleep was far away from her. She was restless and all night, she tossed and turned in her bed.

She stared at the ceiling, the shadows dancing in the dim light, until the first streaks of daybreak painted the sky.

Her alarm went off, and she turned it off after the first ring. She had stayed up all night, and it infuriated her. She had work to get done at the office and she didn't get even an hour of sleep.

And the nagging voice at the back of her head, telling her to hide only made her more irritated.

He was the one who had pulled away! He had left her hanging, left her confused and aching. Why should she be the one hiding?

She got out of bed, took a shower, and got dressed for work despite the nagging voice in her head.

She walked out of the room moments later and headed down the staircase. Damon was in the foyer, speaking quietly with Patrick. He looked perfectly fine! He slept quite well if you ask Naomi.

She felt even more stupid now.

Naomi walked past him without a glance, her shoulder brushing past him.

“Good morning, Ms Naomi.” Patrick greets and she responds with a curt nod, not sparing Damon a glance.

If he wanted distance, she would give it to him, tenfold.