The Husband Beside Me(81)

“I love you, Daimon Evans.”

Daimon’s face fell as he looked away from me. “I don’t deserve you or your praise,” he said quietly, his voice low and rough.

I released my arms from around my knees and stood up. I took two steps and knelt down before him. I reached up and gently caressed his stubbled cheek, turning him to face me. “You may not think you deserve it, but to me, you are my salvation.”

I rose up still on my knees and gently kissed his supple lips. I pulled him in close, smelling his scent, feeling his presence. My lips moving slowly and leisurely, as my tongue ever so gently grazed his. Daimon sighed as he kissed me. He pulled away taking my face into his. He gazed down at me, and said nothing as he kept caressing my face.

“You’re going to miss the sunrise,” he whispered as he lifted me up effortlessly and cradled me into his arms. We sat holding each other, watching the sun finally coming over the ridge of the mountain.





My Scar


“For fuck’s sake, Addie, we’ve been here for about a week and you still haven’t worn the bikini I got you, let alone any of the lingerie,” Daimon said as he sat at the breakfast table.

“I don’t swim, and well, I’m not going to be wearing the lingerie you bought me around the sights you’ve taken me,” I answered, rolling my eyes at him. I was hoping he hadn’t notice how much I avoided showing my scar on my back, but nothing and I mean nothing passed Daimon, ever.

“Fine, today we stay here. Today, you wear the bikini I bought you,” he ordered, crossing his arms as he looked across the table at me. “Daimon, it’s two pieces of string. You seriously can’t expect me to wear that?” I said anxiously.

“Get your sexy ass inside and get dressed. We’re spending the day by our beach area.” He pointed to the patio door.

“But, Daimon—”

“But nothing. Get in there, Addie.”

I groaned as I stood up and begrudgingly made my way to the bathroom with the two-string green bikini he’d bought me.

Once I put it on, I looked at myself in the mirror. The scar wasn’t hideous, but it was there; the skin was discolored and imperfect. When Daimon and I had sex, I usually covered it or hid it away, not wanting him to see. It was a constant reminder of my past life with Frank and I hated it. I threw on one of Daimon’s t-shirts and let out a breath as I met him outside on the deck. He was already in the heated pool waiting for me.

“Do you want to be in the pool or should I take you into the ocean today. I’ll even be gracious enough to let you wrap your fine legs around me as I carry you,” Daimon said as he swam to me.

“Whatever you want,” I said nervously, fidgeting.

“Addie, take off the damn shirt,” he huffed as he rose out of the water.

His swim trunks just barely hung off his very nice looking hips. Daimon had a perfect body and I didn’t feel right taking it off while the sun shine brightly down on us. Daimon grabbed onto the shirt, his wet hands staining it with water. I put my hands to stop him but he yanked it over my head, leaving me bare.

“Fucking sexy,” he breathed as he looked down my body. “I knew green would suit you.” My body grew hot as Daimon smirked, looking at me.

“Oh, mon Dieu!” I heard someone gasp from behind me. I turned to see them looking at my scar, their hand near their mouth. My body grew stiff and I froze as I looked away from Daimon. It was one of the hotel staff who came to clear our breakfast.

“Addie, look at me,” Daimon said sternly, but I didn’t. “Fuck,” he muttered as he took my hand and pulled me to the steps that led to the ocean.

“You’re going to wrap your legs around me the moment we get in and I’m going to swim with you in my arms.” I didn’t bother responding as Daimon stepped in, taking me with him. My anxiety was at an all-time high. Not only was I bare to the world to see, but I was in the ocean and I hardly knew how to swim.

“You’re safe. I’m here,” Daimon reassured as I stepped into the warm blue ocean. Daimon pulled my hand toward him and I wrapped my legs around his waist. He used his hands and feet to swim us around. I smiled, almost forgetting what had happened. The turquoise blue water was crystal clear. I could see yellow fish swimming around us.

“I can’t believe it,” I breathed. “It’s so beautiful.”

“Yeah, it is,” Daimon said as he gazed at me.



We swam like that for what seemed like hours. I felt weightless and free. Never in my life had I ever felt like that.

“Come on, Addie. They brought us food,” Daimon said as he tried to pull me out of the water, but I hesitated, not wanting to move. I waited until the staff left to get out. Daimon waited for me with a big plush towel that he wrapped around me. I sat down, enjoying the array of fresh food in front of me.