Chapter 6

• “I think I've found a great way to help the girls tell you three apart.”
• He raised his eyebrow in questioning, waiting for her to continue.
• “You should try color coding yourselves. One of you wears blue, one red, and one green or something along those lines, maybe”
• "Interesting idea.”
• He wasn't taking her seriously. “You think I'm kidding? Hey, I'm just trying to save you from when a girl you're having sex with yells 'Oh, Damien'.”
• “Trust me; I don't let women I sleep with forget my name.”
• “Oh, brother.” Simone rolls her eyes. His cockiness was a major turnoff.
• “Tell me about yourself; your family, what you like to do?” He wished to smooth out the tension.
• “My family,” she repeated with a hint of sadness. “They are crazy, loud, obnoxious, and the most wonderful people you'll ever meet.”
• Darius leaned back, crossing his arms over his broad chest. Simone noticed him flexing his muscles. Was he doing that deliberately?
• “Are they?”
• She had to rip her eyes off his protruding pecks. “Yup. My family is one of a kind and I wouldn't trade them for the world.”
• “I guess that explains your impulsive behavior.”
• Before Simone could go off on him, the blonde came back with two wine glasses, then immediately disappeared again. Simone took large sips to help her last the rest of the night.
• Darius was really pushing her patience tonight.
• “If you don't like my behavior, then why did you pick me?”
• “I never said I didn't like it. I find your behavior…" He was choosing his next word wisely, “refreshing.”
• “What do you mean, refreshing?”
• “Refreshing as in you is unpredictable. You're aggressive, wild, and I'm guessing not keen on authority. You strike me as a rule breaker.”
• She finished her delicious Moscato and smiled in precious pursuit. “And I'm guessing there are two of those at this table.”
• He didn't have to confirm her suspicion. She already knew it was true.
• “You know what your problem might be? I say might because I've only known you for like what a day and a half. You care what other people think, more specifically your dad. Yeah. I'm getting a sense of daddy issues here. Being firstborn means he holds you more responsible than the others. So, you do things you might not want to do to win the approval of your father.”
• She loved digging under the skin. It was her special talent. In college, she took as many psychology classes as she could to understand how people processed life. It also helped her develop emotional mechanisms in coping with her life.
• “Maybe you've bolted under pressure over the years to the point you don't care what the hell you do anymore because no matter what you do; no matter how many times you do as you're told, you are still not good enough.”
• Darius remained emotionless. He refused to give her the satisfaction of putting him down. That was what she wanted, wasn't it? She wanted to hurt him, but for what reason, she didn’t know.
• She judged him without even really getting to know him. Furthermore, she wouldn't be the first.
• “Might I take a crack at what might be wrong with you? It's only fair, right? You get a sick thrill knocking people down; even people you hardly know. You judge them to justify tearing them down to your level. And I'm guessing your level is undersea level. I don't know your past to know why you buried yourself that deep. You're untouchable. You don't let anyone get close because you're afraid they might not like who you really are.” Darius leaned in and took her hands. “I want you to know with me, you have a clean slate. You can start over if you wish, because you're not the only monster at this table.”
• She was entranced by his thoughtful and genuine blue eyes. He was apparently a good people reader as well.
• Their meals interrupted their raw moment. Simone dropped her gaze to the glorious food to avoid Darius's heated stare. They ate in silence, except when Simone complemented the food. She didn't intend to make it awkward, which it wasn't, really.
• Darius made it comfortable despite the silence.
• “Will there be dessert for tonight?”
• Darius turned to Simone, and she lit up like a Christmas tree. “Yes. I can. I have anything that contains dark chocolate.”
• She hoped it would cheer her up and brighten her mood.
• “We're going to be good friends, you and I.”
• “Is that a promise?” He was the most presumptuous person she had ever met.
• “It's a fact.”
• There was a grin tugging at her lips because she couldn't believe him. “Why would you want to be my friend? Like you said, I'd tear you down with me.”
• “We all need someone and Simone. I'm as solid as a rock. I won't break or walk away. That’s a promise.”
• She couldn’t help but laugh, debating on how long he'd actually last being by her. “We'll see about that.”
• Simone almost melted as she saw the triple chocolate raspberry truffle cake placed in front of her. The view made her mouth water. She softly moaned as she savored the wonderful flavor.
• Darius stared at her reaction with wide eyes. “You have no idea how sexy that moan was, sweetheart.”
• Simone felt the blood rush to her face as embarrassment settled in. Could she have been that loud? She didn’t think she was.
• “And all for a piece of cake,” he said, leaning in.
• “You'd understand if you had a piece.”
• “Then feed me some.”
• She raised the dessert filled fork to his mouth. He took the bite, but didn't seem as thrilled as she was about it. “It's okay.”
• “Just okay? You have absolutely no taste, then.”
• He was starting to get a kick out of teasing her. She was definitely a challenge. He was drawn to her challenge; he was drawn to everything about her. She may not understand it, but she was something he needed in his life.
• “What?” She caught him gawking at her.
• It wasn't like he was ashamed of it. He was in a daze of astonishment at her beauty and whatever else she was hiding under the layers of her defense.
• He sensed the irritation igniting within her, but enjoyed the bottled up emotion. Likewise, he swiftly raised his hand and rubbed his thumb towards the corner of her lips. His eyes glistened with a sparkle of lust as he pulled back to lick the chocolate from his finger. “It tastes better coming from your lips.”
• She was supposed to have everything under control. Why was she suddenly feeling surpassed?
• Darius stood and stretched out his hand for her to take. “Dance with me.
• “No.”
• "Why not?”
• The band was playing soft salsa. Everyone on the dance floor looked like professionals. She wanted to avoid embarrassing herself. She had no idea how to salsa. “I can't dance, nor do I want to dance.”
• “You're lying.” He saw through the fear and tried replacing it with confidence and security. “It isn't hard. I'll lead.”
• She bit her lip; hating the pressure. Yet somehow he convinced her to believe in him.
• “Fine, you spoiled brat.”
• They descended the stairs. The crowd began moving out of their way and clearing the dance floor. Heads bowing, respecting the prince in the process, and eyes were falling on them from everywhere. Simone tried her hardest not to puke from all the attention they were getting as he led her to the middle of the dance floor. The music stopped, and Darius turned to the lead singer and nodded. He wore a fitted suit, and Simone thought he looked like James Franco's doppelgänger.
• On cue, the band began to play. Darius intertwined their hands and smiled encouragingly while placing his left hand on the small of her back to pull her closer to him.
• “Your left foot goes first. We repeat the motion until you get the hang of it.”
• Simone nodded. The song being played was 'Sway' and the lead singer had the same voice as Michael Bublé. Simone braced herself as Darius led her into the most uncomfortable unknown. Moving back and forth, swaying to the music to the words being sung.
• Darius waited before adding a few new movements. The dance floor was slowly clearing, giving them more room to dance with. With their arms outstretched, they twirled in a circle. Then back to salsa, they danced. The band really felt the atmosphere and began to encourage their dance passionately.
• 'Other dancers may be on the floor
• Dear, but my eyes will see only you
• Only you have that magic technique
• When we sway, I go weak.'
• Darius raised their arms and spun her around. Their eyes met again, and Simone smiled a genuine smile. It felt so easy dancing with him. They moved and swayed to the beat as one. The singer's incredible voice rang through, giving Simone more courage to replace her uneasiness with more courage.
• Darius' strong, muscular body was brushing up against hers. She felt like her insides wanted to burst at the sudden adrenaline rush. With the pump of blood rushing through her body, she took her pent-up braveness, and hearing the violins playing seductively in the background, she slightly pulled away from Darius.
• She swirled, turning her back to him only to press into his body. Darius felt an instant heat rise from within.
• 'I can hear the sounds of violins
• Long before it begins
• Make me thrill, as only you know how
• Sway me smooth, sway me now.'
• At that part, Simone began to slowly, teasingly and sensually slide down his body. Her butt grazing down his legs, making it rather hard for him to control himself from doing something stupidly.
• Darius couldn't believe how intoxicating and loose she was dancing on him. He felt the lust between them. She was coming back up, but not fast enough for his liking. Darius quickly and somewhat roughly pulled her back up, spinning her around to face him. He wrapped his massive arms around her small frame, closing any distance between them.
• Simone looked up at him with her warm, golden eyes. Her luscious pink lips curled into a sultry smirk as they swayed and danced together; and soon enough, the music slowly came to an end. Their eyes locked on each other, but were quickly pulled apart when they heard a roar of claps and howling at the two’s little performance.
• They had forgotten about their audience.
• “I think it's time to go.”
• Simone nodded, at a loss for words, and Darius took her hand before heading for the exit.
• Finally outside, Simone took a breather, trying to calm her nerves. The excitement was still pulsing through her veins.
• The shiny black car snapped her back to reality. “I behaved. Can I drive the car now?”
• He took a moment to think.
• “Oh, come on. I was nice to you back there, and I even danced with you when I really didn't want to.”
• He handed her the keys. “Normally, I don't let anyone drive my baby.”
• She snatched the keys from him before he could change his mind. Inside the car, she took her time rubbing the steering wheel.
• “Your baby's in good hands. I can promise that.”
• Darius reached over, grabbing her seat belt, his arm slowly brushing against her body in the process. He came back and clicked the seat belt into place.
• “Ok, so what's the speed limit? How fast can I go until I have to slow down?” She asked.
• “Sweetheart, you're driving the prince's car. No authority would dare pull us over for any reason.”
• She flashed him a wicked grin. “Now that is what I like to hear.”
• She gassed it, peeling out of the parking lot, and for once, felt excited to return to the castle.
• Darius walked her to her room. He loved the fact that Simone had finally let loose and really used the car to its full potential. She wasn't scared of the speed or power of the car.
• They made it to the door, and Simone turned around to face him before walking in.
• “I was meaning to ask you something.” She seemed a bit nervous to even ask.
• “And what's that, sweetheart?” He was instantly curious of what could make her so nervous.
• “I was wondering if you had a spare iPod or something I could use. You see, I would have my own, but I was kidnapped without any warning; so I didn't have time to grab mine.”
• His lips quirked up in a smile at her sarcasm. “If I get you an iPod, what do I get in return?”
• She scrunched up her nose, and he found it rather adorable.
• “Why does everything come at a price? Can't you just give it to me from the kindness of your heart?” Her eyes were big and warm, staring deeply into his. “It's the least you can do.”
• If she had to wake up one more day in this fantasy world than she at least wanted something to occupy herself with, and she loved listening to music, music has always been her escape.
• “Wait, do you even have a heart?” She poked his chest, and he grabbed her hand.
• “You're right. How could I ask for anything?” He began to kiss her knuckles. “I'm sorry. I'll get you an iPod.”
• She should have pulled her hand back, but the touch of his lips was cool and slightly seductive.
• “Thanks.”
• He dove into her eyes, and she could tell he wanted a kiss. She wasn't ready, and thankfully he wasn’t one to pressure her.
• “Sweet dreams, sweetheart.”