The Husband Beside Me(80)

“You should have seen yourself in your school uniform. It’s actually quite hot.” He wagged his eyebrows.

“Daimon!”

“You looking all studious, while underneath you were this wildcat, ready to go crazy. I loved it.” He licked his lips and he spoke.

“I wasn’t wild back then.” I corrected.

“You were to me. God, Addie you had to see yourself.” He closed his eyes and shook his head, remembering. “I thought you were sexy then, but now…fuck me, now I can’t resist you or your sweet wet heat,” he said as he smiled.

Daimon never knew it and I would never tell him, but his words, even though they could be crass and raw, always spoke the truth, making his hold on my heart the much more firm.

“Come on. We should get up. Don’t we have a day full of activities you planned?” I said, trying to get up, but Daimon held me down.

“Addie, I know I’m not always charming. Like you said, I can be a bastard, but I can say this at least. I love you with everything that makes me, me. I love you completely,” he said softly as he looked down at me. I smiled, my soul soaring from his words.

“I love you too,” I said softly, reaching out for his face, holding it in my hand.



Bora Bora, what could I say? The scenery, let alone the world around me seemed so lively and vivid. Our lives back in Manhattan seemed foreign and distant, while here, only Daimon and I existed. The man planned everything, surprising me every day with something new and exciting.

Today, I woke up earlier than Daimon, wanting some time to myself as I sat outside on the patio watching the turquoise waves leisurely move. A simple calm surrounded me as I watched the sun rise quietly over the small mountain lay in front of us; its rays stretching further as it slowly crept up. I hugged my knees to my body and remembered my mother and my family. Six months ago, my world was in shambles, my restaurant was bankrupt, our house at foreclosure’s grasp, my father’s illness and my sister’s future. All of which hung above my head like Damokles’ sword, ready to fall at any moment. I secretly breathed a sigh of relief the moment Daimon had come back into my life. He was like a typhoon, washing away everything I felt tainted me, making me anew.

I missed my mother. I missed her now more than ever, but I no longer carried around the irrational guilt that weighed me down. Finally, I mourned her like I should have all those years ago. Times like these, the moments I was alone, I could look back and remember her; her laugh and smile, her strength and devotion. Once I was able to let go of my remorse, I finally gave myself permission to remember her like she ought to be remembered.

“What are you doing up so early?” Daimon said groggily as he stood at the patio door. I looked over to see him wearing nothing but his PJ bottoms; his muscles lean and tight as he held onto the patio doorframe.

“Just sitting,” I said quietly. Daimon came out and sat next to me. “I wanted to see the sunrise.” I faintly smiled at him.

“Then I’ll watch it with you,” he said; his baritone voice was still raw.

“Daimon…” I said softly, watching the magnetic scenery of vivid greens of the trees, the vibrant blue of the ocean and the stunning gold of the half risen sun.

“What is it?” he asked.

“It’s because of you,” I said in a hushed voice, still hugging my knees and looking away from him.

“Me?”

“Yes you. You changed everything in my world. I know the reason why we got together is strange, but I’m glad it happened. Being with you, despite how cruel we were to each other, I’m happy it all happened the way it did. And to be honest, I’m almost guessing we’ll probably be just as cruel to each other in the future, which I’m happy about too. You came into my life and fixed everything without me noticing; with Sofia, my father, my mother and even the restaurant. You did it all. I’m sitting here now, seeing all this, experiencing everything because of you.” I held back the treacherous tears that begged to fall. “Thank you.” Those two simple words scorched my throat.

“Addie…” Daimon breathed but I stopped him.

“Daimon, you’ve changed my life and I know we married for our own reasons, we needed and used each other. I realized we couldn’t be here now without that. I just wanted you to understand that I’m so in love with you, despite you being an ass.” I laughed a little. “You are a beautiful man. You’re strong, protective and your love…it’s powerful and overwhelming, but I know I’m able to withstand it. ”

I looked over to see his face, his remarkable and stunning face. His chiseled cheeks and dark stubble, his long dark brown hair tousled to one side and his eyes almost the color of the ocean that lay at our feet. I let out a breath, losing the battle with my tears.