Uncle Jack

Naomi felt the soft kiss on her forehead and slowly opened her eyes, a contented smile on her face.

It's been a long day and Damon didn't hesitate to take it over and over again. It was a variation of gentle, loving and passionate love making to hard, deep and fast thrusts that left her breathless.

She could barely use her legs when he was done and he had to carry her all the way from the bathroom into the restroom where he ran the tub with warm water, hoping to help ease the soreness.

Damon was watching her from the edge of the tub, his gaze warm and admiring. He reached out and gently brushed a stray strand of hair away from her face, his touch as tender.

"You're beautiful," he whispered, his eyes tracing the contours of her face. "I could watch you all night."

A playful smirk touched her lips. "I thought you wanted me to leave," she teased.

Who knew that months later, the man who wanted her gone would be fondling her like this?

Damon's smile was replaced by a look of seriousness. He knelt beside the tub, his eyes locking with hers. "I was a fool," he said, "I want you by my side always. Every second of the day. Don't ever think otherwise."

She reached out and took his hand, the warmth of his palm against hers a comfort she never knew she needed. It was already late, the moonlight filtering through the bathroom windows, and a fierce hunger rumbled in her stomach.

"I'm starving," she said.

“You sure? You're still pretty sore.”

Naomi chuckled. “Not that. I'm hungry. I've only had breakfast thanks to you.”

Damon winced. “The same breakfast you couldn't finish because I couldn't get my hands off you?”

“Woah. You recall? Impressive! We really spent the whole day…having…you know.”

Damon's lips curled in a smirk. “Having what?”

Her cheeks flushed. “You know what i mean.”

Damon forged cluelessness. “I have no idea. What we were having? Not sure I get you.”

“Sex! We were having sex!” She blurted out.

Damon chuckled. “See, wasn't that hard to say was it?”

Naomi cleared her throat. “I really need to eat. You haven't had anything all day too.”

Damon nodded. "Of course. I'll be right back. I'll get you something to eat." He kissed her forehead one last time before standing and heading towards the kitchen, leaving her alone in the comforting quiet of the bathroom.

Naomi leaned back, her eyes swinging shut. It was better than she had imagined! She knew that this day would come and she had often tried to picture it in her head. It was better than she could ever imagine. It was perfect..

Should she tell Soonie what happened? Naomi sighed. She could almost imagine her friend fuming at the news. She wasn't a fan of Damon's and this news is only going to irritate her.

She sighed. How come Soonie was the only friend she had? As much as that was sort of endearing, it was somewhat strange. She was easy going, she should have a lot of friends but somehow she didn't and she never thought much of it until now.

Her phone rang from the counter. Naomi’s eyes widened at the caller ID: Uncle Jack.

She hadn't heard from her father's brother in years. Jack had been a quiet presence after her father's death, checking in occasionally but never fully present. She was surprised and a little wary to hear from him now.

She answered, her voice a little shaky. "Hello?"

"Naomi! My dear girl, it's Jack. I hope I'm not disturbing you?" His voice was smooth, excited even.

"Uncle Jack! No, not at all. It's a surprise to hear from you. I'm fine, thank you. How are you?!"

“I’m doing okay, my dear girl. I've been in and out of the hospital for a while now but I ain't dying yet!”

Naomi gasped. “Hospital? Why? What's wrong? Is everything okay?”

“When you're nearing your grave, every bloody thing goes wrong my dear girl.” Jack chuckled.

“I'm really sorry to hear that, Uncle Jack.”

"It's alright my girl! I'm as strong as an ox!. That reminds me, I heard you finally moved in with Damon. Is it true? You two are finally together?" he asked, a strain in his tone.

"Yes, it's true," Naomi confirmed, a smile curling on her lips. "We're finally trying to make things work."

"That's wonderful news," he said. "I was worried about you, out there alone. Listen, how about we grab a coffee sometime? It's been too long."

Naomi smiled. "I'd like that, Uncle Jack. Soon, I hope."

Just then, Damon returned to the bathroom, a tray of food in his hands. He smiled at her and she felt a sudden urge to share her good news.

"Uncle Jack," she said, her voice bright. "Damon's here now. He just brought me some food."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line, a pause that felt strangely heavy.

Damon’s triumphant smile instantly vanished. He froze, his eyes locking with hers in a look of sudden cold dread. He placed the tray on the counter with a quiet thud and walked over to her, his hand outstretched for the phone.

"Give me the phone," he said, his voice a low, commanding whisper.

Naomi, confused and a little taken aback by his sudden change, handed it to him. He took the phone and took a few steps away from her, his back to her as he held the receiver to his ear.

"What the hell do you think you're doing calling Naomi?" Damon's voice was a menacing growl, all warmth gone.

Jack's previously sweet tone turned dark, filled with a malicious edge.

"Why, Damon. Just checking up on my niece. Is there something wrong with that?"

"You know your intentions. Don't play this game with me," Damon said, his grip on the phone tightening.

"Games?" Jack chuckled.

“It's ironic isn't it? You pretending to care.”

“And you. You're a man who seems to care? What would happen if Naomi found out that her father's company wasn't left to his greedy siblings, but that it was taken from her by you? By you, Damon. What would happen then?"

“You-”

“Watch your tone with me boy. You're tipping the very edge of a cliff, you know it.”

“You know that's not the case.”

“Do I? Will Naomi understand? That the man she wants to work things out with is an asshole?”

Damon clenched his fists, trying his best to control his rage.

“Send my love to my girl over there. Still as naive as ever.”

The line went dead. Damon stood frozen for a moment, the blood in his veins turning to ice.

He had to keep this from her. He had to protect her.