I woke up to the smell of butter.

Something wet ran down the side of my cheek and I absentmindedly wiped it away. I pushed myself up on the bed and looked down, wincing at the amount of drool on my hand.

Thank goodness I didn't sleep with Damon last night. I'm a drool monster.

The smell of food distracted me, causing my mouth to water again. Quickly, I checked how I looked in the mirror before opening my bedroom door. The aroma was even stronger now as it led me into the kitchen. My sock-covered feet allowed me to move undetected as I watched Damon.

Damon was standing at the counter kneading something. His hands were covered in flour as he expertly folded and rolled the dough, then placed the pastries on a baking sheet. The oven beeped and he quickly grabbed a towel to take another tray out. I inwardly groaned as I saw the golden-brown croissants.

He can make my favorite pastry whenever I want? I definitely found a keeper.

I fought back a few giggles. Seeing a large tattoo-covered criminal making pastries was both funny and adorable. My stomach was done waiting for me to eat and let out a long growl.

I blushed and crossed my arms over my stomach as Damon snapped his eyes towards me. He smiled warmly before gesturing for me to come forward.

"Sit down, Flower. I was about to wake you up for breakfast," Damon greeted and continued to get the croissants ready for the oven.

I eagerly sat on a stool and leaned my elbows on the counter to watch.

"I would've asked you out right away if I knew you could bake my favorite pastry," I joked as Damon put the final tray in the oven and set the timer.

Damon shook his head and gave me a smirk. We both knew that I would have never made the first move.

"My mom taught me to cook, especially baking. I've been baking goods like this since I was a kid. I usually only cook for myself, but my dad always told me to treat my woman like a queen, so here we are," Damon wiggled his eyebrows and I let out a laugh.

I noted how relaxed he was, the stress from last night gone now that he revealed his secret. It made me happy that he trusted that he could be himself around me.

Damon washed his hands before coming towards me, placing a croissant from the cooling rack on a plate. He pushed the plate closer before gently wrapping his arms around my waist. The stool was tall enough that he barely had to crouch down.

"How are you feeling?"

I mentally checked my injuries, slightly moving my limbs.

"A bit sore, but I think some pain pills will help," I smiled at his concern and cheered as he put the warm morsel in front of me. I didn't hesitate to stuff it into my mouth, moaning at the taste.

Dang, that's good stuff. Damon can bake as many of these as he pleases.

I continued eating, Damon watching me stuff my face in buttery goodness. There was a strange heat in his eyes, but I ignored it in favor of the croissant.

"I remembered how much you liked croissants," Damon said with amusement. "Glad I made a couple more batches or there would be none left for me."

I grinned at him goofily. "They're my favorite pastry. I can't help it," I said playfully and stretched my arms, wincing as my sore muscles moved. Without any thought, Damon easily passed me a bottle of pain relievers and a glass of water.

"It should take twenty minutes for the medicine to kick in," Damon reassured as he wrapped his arms around me again. "Maria and the doctor want to check up on you again to make sure all your injuries are fine."

I rested my head against his chest. "It feels weird being taken care of. I've been on my own since my parents passed away."

Damon tilted my head up, meeting his green gaze.

"Are you okay with being taken care of?" Damon asked, a hint of worry in his voice.

I shook my head with a grin and put my arms around his neck, ignoring the ache.

"No, I love it. It makes me feel...part of a family again."

My heart skipped when Damon gave me a smile. If the man kept smiling, I may accidently go into cardiac arrest.

"You are family now, Flower. You'll never be alone again. Sooner or later, you are going to get sick of me smothering you." Damon said firmly before brushing his lips against mine.

"I don't think that will happen anytime soon." I mumbled as his lips began to move.

Holy guacamole.

I tightened my arms around him, confused as to how to continue. My experience and knowledge with anything romantic revolved around books. I pulled away a bit, smiling as Damon leaned in closer. I unwrapped one arm and placed my palm on his mouth to stop him.

"Don't come any closer. It's hard to think when you do that," I stated and squealed when something wet connected with my hand. I almost fell out of my stool to get away from him and gaped at an amused Damon.

"Did you just lick my hand? Of course you're a licker." I squawked as Damon left my side to grab the remaining croissants from the oven. He just chuckled and sent me a wink. Who was this man?

I liked him. A lot.

Watching him, I knew it was the perfect moment to tell him everything. And dang it, I was ready this time.

I took a deep breath and started to talk.

"Damon, I'm ready to tell you about—"

"Fuck yes! Damon baked some food!"

Ugh! I can't catch a break.

The twins ran through the entrance of the wing and snatched croissants from a tray, ignoring Damon's scowl. His goofy grin was long gone as he glared daggers at the boys. There was the grumpy man I knew.

"I gotta text the boss! He'll be upset if we don't tell him," Josh said as he dodged a punch from Damon. Julian spotted me and beamed.

My knife-loving friend scampered toward me, pulled me out of my seat, and swung me around. I blushed at the attention but couldn't help the giggle that escaped. When he finally put me down, I started to sway from the spinning. Julian quickly supported me before I fell on my face.

"Be careful with her. She's still recovering," Damon snapped, but it had less bite in his tone than there could have been. I turned and gave him a reassuring smile.

"I'll be fine. I just need to sit for a minute." I explained as I sat on my stool. Damon sat next to me, not even bothering to stop the twins from inhaling the goodies.

Disappointment settled on my shoulders.

Interrupted again. I swear the universe is laughing at me.

A part of me was tempted to ask the twins to leave, but I didn't have the heart to do it when they looked so happy. We all had a rough day yesterday and I didn't want to spoil the fun.

"Later," Damon spoke softly into my ear, sensing my dismay. "Take a little break and enjoy being in the present for a while. We have plenty of time to talk."

He gestured to the twins starting to throw pieces of croissant at each other. What a waste of perfect food.

I sighed and leaned against Damon as he ordered the boys to stop, wondering when I could get him alone again.

~*~

"You know you don't have to...oh my gosh!" Maria groaned as I hit a spot. I shook my head with a grin as I continued to massage her feet.

"You said your feet were hurting. Besides, I'm pretty sure pampering you comes with the job. At least your feet aren't scary-looking," I said with a laugh. Maria stuck her tongue out at me, rubbing her flat belly lovingly.

We were in her and Xavier's room, Maria laid down on the bed as I sat on the end. Both of our men had to go to work at MPS and Maria had the twins run a few errands. It seemed to be urgent because Damon left quickly after breakfast with the twins. He gave me a peck on the lips and went to get ready. I decided to check on Maria, needing a distraction and to fulfill my duties as her assistant.

But if I were being honest, I was twiddling my fingers since Maria liked to do things on her own. I practically hopped on the chance to massage her feet. If I was being paid, I would at least like to be paid doing something.

Nothing like feeling excited to massage someone's feet.

"You seem distracted, Rosie. Penny for your thoughts?" Maria's voice registered into my brain and I looked at her guiltily.

"Sorry, there's just a lot on my mind," I admitted and focused on a knot on the sole of Maria's foot. It was no surprise since she was usually on her feet all night serving.

Maria smiled understandingly. "I would be surprised if you were taking everything in stride. It's not everyday that you realize you're living with a bunch of criminals. It was quite a shock when I found out Xavier and Damon were doing vigilante shit in high school. Practically ready to strangle both of them."

"What made you change your mind?" I asked eagerly, wanting to know her thoughts. While I decided to accept Damon, there was still a part of me demanding that I run the other way. Maria looked at the ceiling thoughtfully before returning her gaze to me.

"I didn't really know Xavier at the time. In fact, I wanted to stay as far away from him as possible. But eventually, I learned what made him him. There was way more to him than what he portrayed at school, a brilliant mind with a charming edge to him. I began to understand his motivations. If anything, all parts of him - the good and the bad - was what made me fall in love with him."

I gulped at her words. Love?

It was too soon to fall in love with Damon. It hadn't even been more than a week since we met. There was no way my feelings could be that deep for him.

But I could definitely see myself falling for him quickly. He was protective, strong, and brave. Demanding, but gentle. There were so many sides to him and so many reasons to love him.

But not yet. If I wanted to deep dive into the rabbit hole, I needed to show him the different sides of myself.

"I've been trying to talk to Damon about my past," I whispered into the large room. Maria perked up at my statement, gesturing for me to continue. I let out a sigh.

"But I either chicken out or something happens. I don't know when the right time is. I worry if I wait too long, everything will reveal itself and he hates me for not telling him." I told her as I released her feet and got up to wash my hands in her bathroom.

"Why don't you set up a date?" Maria called out as I was drying my hands.

I froze. A date?

I ran back into the bedroom and hopped on her bed, Maria jumping at the impact.

"A date? Like a date date?" I squeaked.

Maria looked at me like I grew two heads.

"Yes, a date. You know, when a couple goes out to do something romantic together. You read all those trashy romance novels. You know what a perfect first date is." Maria waved off my gaping expression.

"The novels I read are not trashy! And besides, I don't know if I should spill all my dark secrets on a first date. That seems like a Debbie Downer, Maria. What if he breaks up with me on our first date?" My eyes widened at the thought.

Maria sat up and glared at me, holding my shoulders firmly.

"Rosaline Sinclair, you need to pull yourself together." My eyes widened even more at her use of my full name.

"Damon would be a fool to break up with you. We all have our secrets and I'm sure we will all accept yours with open arms. But think about it, Rosie. It's just you and Damon...alone," Maria wiggled her eyebrows and I blushed. "How about I help you plan it, but you're in charge of your own date. Make it yours."

Maria began spouting out ideas and my mind whirled with possibilities. I've never been in charge of anything except when the bookstore did mini-book clubs. Not to mention this was my first date...ever.

I took a deep breath and listened to Maria. She was right. If I wanted to explain my past to Damon, it had to be on my terms, where no one else could distract us. Nerves built up within me. Would Damon judge me after the end of this? Would he be disgusted with my actions? The thought made me queasy.

I'm no hero or partner in crime like Damon.

I was a coward and a murderer.

It took a few hours but eventually, we decided that it would be tonight. Maria called the twins to get some supplies and my stomach was twisted in knots.

Please let this end well.