Damon pulled Penny away from the men. They walked out toward the open field.
“I never expected him to come,” she said.
“I’ve come to learn to always expect the unexpected from Don.” He smiled in relief.
“You didn’t think he was going to come,” she said, chuckling.
“I never said that.”
“I saw it, Damon. You can’t hide anything from me anymore. I’m going to be your woman.” Penny wrapped her arms around his neck.
“What do you mean going to be? You’re my woman now, Penny.” He pressed his lips against hers, running his tongue along her lips.
She sighed and melted against him. “How do you do that?” she asked.
“Do what?”
“Make me forget myself?”
“I’m damn good at what I do.”
****
Later that night Penny waited in their room while Damon finished talking with Don. She stared at the front lawn. There were at least fifty tents and several fires lighting up the front. She’d been amazed when she’d seen Don in the jeep. He’d surprised her in a good way.
She folded her arms over her chest staring down at the lawn with new hope. Whatever happened with Grimes they stood a chance of coming out of it alive.
The sound of the door opening distracted her. Damon walked inside. He looked tired and dirty. “I’m going to take a quick wash,” he said.
Nodding her head, she went back to looking out of the window.
The chill of the night made her shiver. She wrapped her arms around herself refusing to look away. So many men were waiting for what was to come. They had no idea when Grimes was coming.
Damon circled her waist with his arms and pulled her against him.
“You’re thinking a little too much,” he said, kissing her temple.
“I’m just wondering about what’s going to happen. I’ve never seen so many men waiting for something before. I’ve no idea what to expect.” She covered his arms with her hands.
“Grimes may not turn up. This could all be for nothing.”
“You don’t sound convinced.”
“I’m not, Penny. I’d rather be prepared for the worst than unprepared for a slaughter.” Damon rested his chin on her head.
She found the movement oddly comforting. His size and muscle made her feel safe.
“What are you thinking about?” he asked.
“I’m worried about tomorrow.” Damon didn’t say anything to her. She tensed under his arms. “You’re not going to try to reassure me?”
“That would be stupid of me, Penny. I’ve no idea what’s to come. If I told you everything was going to be okay and it wasn’t, I’d hate myself.”
She turned in his arms pressing her body against his.
“I know. I wish I knew what the future would bring.”
He leaned down and kissed her. She accepted his kiss feeling her heart flutter inside her chest.
Closing her eyes, she smiled at the feeling.
“What are you thinking now?” he asked, chuckling.
“I’m not thinking. I’m feeling. Your lips give me pleasure.” She gasped as his fingers grazed her nipple.
“My lips are not the only things that give you pleasure.”
She shook her head. “They’re pretty good though,” she said, laughing.
“You’re a little minx.”
He picked her up and moved toward the bed. He dropped her at the edge tearing off his shirt.
Penny chuckled at his impatience. She tugged the towel covering his cock away. Gripping his shaft in her fist she pumped the length twice before looking at him.
He cupped her cheek stalling her movements. “I want you to promise me something,” he said.
“Anything.”
“When Grimes shows up and it goes bad and we start fighting, I want you to promise me you’ll run like hell. No matter what you see or hear, you’ll get the fuck out of the fighting and to safety.”
Penny let his shaft go. She shook her head. “You can’t ask that of me.”
“I’m telling you, Penny. I need you to do that for me. I need you to promise me that you’ll get out and away from it.”
“No. I can’t promise.”
She stood up and shook her head in denial. The tears filled her eyes, and the tightness in her throat startled her.
Damon caught her face and forced her to look at him. She closed her eyes trying to pull out of his hold. In that moment she hated him more than anything else.
“Listen to me, Penny,” he said. “They’ll show no mercy to us. I can’t fight knowing you’ll be hurt. Please, do this for me.”
“What you’re asking is unfair. How can I run away when I know you’ll be there fighting or even worse, dead? No, Damon, what you ask is too much.”