Page 121 of Off-Limits

“Try me.”

Deciding it will be fun to test him, and keep me from my own thoughts, I walk toward the door that leads to the office, only to have Damon’s strong arm bringing me backinto him.

“Get in that shower, Blossom, otherwise you’re not coming for a month.”

My eyes go wide in disbelief, but when he raises his eyebrow, a smirk fixated on his perfect fucking face, I know he’s not fucking around. I swear to all that is holy I don’t think I’ve ever run as fast as I do to get to the bathroom.

Damon – One. Dorothy – Zero.

Chapter Thirty-Five

DOTTIE

Today is mum’s funeral, and I’m not ready for it. I refuse to wear black.. She had enough darkness in her life, and I won’t allow it to follow her into death. Tears fill my eyes once more, clinging to the corners and I swipe them away angrily. Closing them, I give myself a pep talk, releasing a breath when Damon wraps his arms around me.

His scent envelops me, making me feel safe, I even smile a little. I don’t know how he has this effect on me, but he does. Squeezing me tight, I open my eyes and find his in the mirror.

“You look sombre, but so beautiful, Blossom.”

“I feel empty inside, though.”

“It’s a shitty feeling, baby, but I can tell you that with time, the pain will pack less of a punch. You know I am with you every step of the way, alright?”

I nod my head, because my throat is closing up from his words, and I’m worried I’ll start sobbing again. I have no idea where my dad is, but no doubt he’s drunk or high somewhere. I push that thought to the back of my mind; today isn’t about him, it’s about celebrating mum’s life.

Damon squeezes me again, before turning me in his arms to cuddle me. I cling to his white, button-down dress shirt, and he holds me tighter in return. We stay like that for a few moments, and I’m grateful for the solitude and support Damon offers me with the embrace.

I know I can’t stay here forever, and no amount of alcohol, painting or sex can numb what I’m feeling, not that I’d want to anyway. Reluctantly, I pull away from Damon, and his arms slacken around me. Looking up at him, I offer him a small smile, and he returns it.

“You good, Blossom?”

“I just need to do a couple of things before we go.”

“I’ll wait in the lounge for you.”

He kisses me and then leaves me with a deafening silence.

Swallowing, I move to my bag and rummage around for my paintbrush that I always put in my hair, but I also grab my mum’s bracelet that she used to let me wear when I was younger.

Running my fingers over the red stones and gold chain, I play with it, feeling my mum’s energy. That might sound stupid or naïve to some. A tear slips free when I remember stealing it from her bag, and how she got angry at me before cuddling me and saying that I could play with it, as long as I asked her in future.

I don’t know where the bracelet came from, or whether it had any sentimental value to her because she never spoke of it, but it doesn’t matter now. My mum is gone, and today I will lay her to rest in her final resting place, as they call it.

It makes my stomach turn, but it is what it is.

Clasping the bracelet in place, I move to also fix my paintbrush into place so we can leave. I stand there longer than necessary, looking at myself in the mirror and seeing similarities to mum that I never noticed before.

I have her lips, her witch’s chin; as she called it, and although we don’t have the same colour eyes, I have the same shape as hers. It stings more than I thought it would, but a part of me accepts it and feels happy, reminding me that although she is no longer roaming this realm, I still carry her with me.

Stepping out of the room, I find Damon with two take-away cups of coffee in each hand. He offers me one with a smile, and I return it.

“Did you buy this?”

“No.”

“So, you just have paper cups lying around?”

He shrugs his shoulders.