Chapter 18

I trudged down the high hill, searching for a comfortable pathway that would take me to the front of his house. The last of the bird calls sounded through the air to signal the end of the day; the wind biting through my puffy black coat to make my hands numb from the cold. I pushed the straw basket behind me, hoping it would be enough to block the frigidness of the head wind.

I’m nearly there, I thought, before I hopped over one large grey rock to another, only to land on the solid ground just outside of the front pathway of his house. Bending low I brushed away any residue of the high grass, plucking it off my dark stockings so I would look more presentable.

Damian would get a shock, and I was all too eager to see his expression. Giddy, I lightly jogged towards the front door, hopping up the steps two at a time before I knocked on it loudly. I took a step back, pulling down my hood and adjusting my hair quickly. A tiny smile played upon my lips as I held the basket in front of my waist, arranging the fake flowers to my liking as I waited for the door to be opened. It felt like a full minute went by before I finally heard the lock sliding open one by one, and then the familiar creaking as he inched it back slowly.

“Trick or treat!” I yelled out once Damian came into view. I bobbed on my toes excitingly, too anxious to see his reaction to my costume. “Do you like it?”

He looked at me without blinking, almost numb by the sight of me.

“Do you know who I am?” I asked nervously, and then pulled my red hood over my head so he could get the picture. “Guess?”

Damian swallowed hard, making his Adam’s apple rise upwards. His mouth opened partially, but no words would come.

“Do you want a hint?” I piped up quickly. “I thought it would be obvious.” My hood was pulled down with an overwhelming sense of disappointment. “You don’t like it.”

Damian finally blinked, and then I noticed how much sadder his face had become.

“You don’t,” I surmised. “I thought it would be fun. Its Halloween tomorrow, but I don’t know if I will be here for the whole day and I thought …” My straw basket lowered itself past my waist and then I let it hang on the right side of me.

“What are you doing out here, little girl?” he asked in a deeply sonorous voice. I perked up instantly, realizing he knew who I was dressed up for Halloween all along.

“I’m on my way to see my grandmother,” I teased, which brought a shadow of a smile to his face. “Who lives through the forest, near the brook.” Damian shook his head at me, somewhat pleased to find I knew the nursery rhyme so well. I took a step forward, barely hovering over the threshold of his doorway before I added, “could I come in?”

“Is that wise?” he drawled out cunningly. “Aren’t you a little scared?”

“Well, you aren’t a wolf, are you?” Damian closed his eyes at my words, shaking his head in silent disagreement. “And you’re not dressed as my granny.”

“No.”

I laid a hand in the center of Damian’s chest, looking up at him as if I wanted a kiss. Damian followed my movements with his eyes, watching my hand shift downwards until it rested over his firm abdomen. I could feel his body stiffen by my touch, hear the air going through his nostrils as if he was breathing me in. Damian suddenly took a step back, creating a large gap between us, and then wordlessly opened the door wider so I could come in.

I turned my back to him as I unzipped my jacket, letting the straw basket rest at my feet. I sensed his presence; Damian was waiting for me like a dark shadow that ominously loomed behind me. “Sara,” he breathed out softly. “What gave you the idea to dress like that?”

“Little Red Riding Hood?” I questioned him, as I worked on the last of my zipper.

“Yes.”

“I’ve always liked fairy tales,” I told him in truth. “Do you like my surprise?”

There was no answer as I shed off my heavy jacket in front of him. I handed the heavy garment to him, supposing he would find somewhere appropriate to hang it up.

“You don’t have to like it,” I assured him softly. “When my friends come later, they will be dressed in costume too. Do you have anything to wear Damian?”

“No.”

“I guess we sprung it on you,” I admitted aloud. “I know we are all a little too old for that now, but it’s Halloween, even if it’s snowing.”

“Yes, it’s cold,” he agreed. “But that’s Canada for you.”

“You don’t have a heater?”

“I don’t like heaters.”

“What about in the winter?”

“I like the cold,” he stated with a clearness to his forest green eyes. “Take your shoes off, and then come in.” He turned his back to me with my jacket under his arm and went to put it away.

They were fashionable boots and took a lot longer to undo, forcing me to lean against the wall as I attempted to pry them off. The long hem of my cloak kept getting in the way, making me rethink my fashion choices. By the time Damian returned I had my boots lined up to his hiking ones and picked up my basket eagerly as I approached him.

Damian was quick to hook an arm around me, pulling me straight into his chest before he kissed me without reserve. I wasn’t one to fight back, dropping my basket instantly so I could curl my arms around him, digging my fingers into his olive-green sweater. There was an alluring smell to him, like charred meat by the fire mixed with the grass of the earth. He smelled differently and tasted differently too as he grounded his lips harder against mine. A tongue slipped through, making me part my lips with a gasp. Damian smirked at me fiendishly, biting his bottom lip so hard it was turning white. I had no time to react when he slammed his lips against mine again. I made a low moan with surprise, clearly aware of how hard he was gripping my body as he kissed me open-mouthed. My eyes were shut tightly, feeling like he was taking something from me, as if all my self-control was being drained at that moment.

A hand shoved itself through my long dress, pressing between my thighs as it worked its way upwards. I made a moan in protest, not certain if I wanted it to get that far, before Damian simply worked his hands to cup the front of me. I groaned into his mouth as a single finger fondled me, making me lean into his hand as soon as the arousal hit me. I forced my face away to catch my breath, but Damian leaned forward with eager lips to take a hold of me again.

I slammed heavily against the wall, unable to take anymore, before Damian removed his hand to squeeze the front of my hip and pelvic muscle. My head was tilted to the side as he kissed the corner of my lips, giving me enough time to at least catch my breath. His left hand was desperately trying to push back my hair, not wanting it to get in the way of anything.

“What a naughty girl you are,” he unexpectedly said, before he used his left hand to tilt my head forward. “Coming into my house.”