Awkward.

She felt so awkward. Out of place.

The whole ten minutes way he kept a stoic silence. Not saying a single word. His tall frame shadowing her like an ancient oak tree. Her heart was being mad because some how some way she wanted to lean into his shadow. Merge her shadow in his.

Until it became one shadow.

What a madder than the mad hatter thought, she blazed at her heart.

He didn't look her way, just kept his eyes straight ahead.

Sarah didn't fail to notice how people passing by them would cast a glance at him, a momentarily stupified expression on their faces. She noted how a woman who had her phone stuck to her ear glanced his way absently and then she slowed down a little . .how people slow down to get a good look. .her eyes not leaving his face until he glanced her way.

That's when she jerked a little and went off on her way.

Sarah had a feeling she must have glanced back at him.

Because no one could ignore a chiseled face like that.

Oh yes. .

Awkward was the feeling.

Awkward because everyone would look at her with an odd look.

She got their meaning.

What are you doing with a guy like that?

She wish she could tell them all. Even she had no idea what was she doing here. With him. Beside him. .but maybe she knew why she was here. . because  this brash city who was hell bent on reminding her she should go back, hightail from here. .in a twisted way a  stranger had been there for her when no one bothered.

Just. .there.

A corner of safety.

It was so strange . .so mind boggling .

How can anyone feel safe with a complete stranger? A stranger who had a mysterious aura around him. If she had seen him somewhere she would have just admired from afar , how you admire a Picasso painting from afar,  but would never have dreamed of encountering  him.

The mall wasn't packed.

Now she was almost used to the obvious glances cast his way.

But it was as if. .he was used to people ogling him. Leering at him.

Dressed in a long black trench coat that reached past his knees, some dark brown pants on. .the hair as black as the dark sky. .a careless tint in his eyes . .lips that would frown on their own as if he didn't like whatever he see. .

Effortlessly breathtaking was the only word for him, Sarah admitted.

"Where do you want to start from?" He asked lightly, his eyes sweeping aeound.

"Food. I only need some food." Her voice was nervous.

He nodded.

She had gotten the trolley which he took from her, much to her embarrassment. His hands on the handle , pushing the trolley around.

She caught him giving an odd look to the trolley.

"Is this how people shop?" He asked her , raising a dark brow.

Sarah couldn't help but smile.

"Yeah. You just pile up whatever you need in the trolley."

He nodded.

"Interesting."

A jittering Sarah moved towards the empty food aisle. Her eyes running on the shelves of spaghettis, macronies, chocolate and coffee. Quickly, she took one packet of each . . dumping them all in the trolley as he continued frowning at her choice .

May be she was mistaken but he looked slightly. . . disgusted.

"Is this what you eat?" He drawled.

While trying to get a jar of coffee from the top shelf she glanced at him over her shoulder.

"No. It's what I can afford."

"Your choice of food is . .plastic. All that you eat is plastic." He said looking revolted.

"It doesn't matter. As long as it makes my stomach full." She smiled a little. . stupifying him a little.

Turning back to the jar of coffee that was right on the top most shelf, getting on top toes . .she tried to reach the damn jar but—

"Let me." He said softly observing her sturggle.

She spun around about to protest when he was already right infront of her. Eyes widening. . involuntarily she stepped back. .her back against the shelves.

Too close.

Too close.

Her heart thudded voilently . Almost breaking down.

He stepped in , the front of his coat mashing against her shirt , the deep blue eyes staring at her with profound humor.

Damien didn't break the eyes contact, his hand lifting up  slowly, his fingers grazing the surface of the jar but he didn't pick it.

It was as if with one hand beside her head, he had trapped her.

The peculiar cologne making it's way towards her , misting her.

"Sarah, " he breathed in , " you reek of something." 

For a moment she didn't get what he said and then she got it. She was reeking ? But she took a shower today!

The horror on her face was palpable.

Looking at  the color drianing on her face, he smiled . . .

"Innocence. You reek of it. It's in the air. I can see it. " His voice was low, throaty.

How?

How could he see it?

She wanted to ask but her tongue gave out.

She swallowed hard and his eyes slipped towards her throat.

And then back again towards her eyes.

"Tell you what, " he leaned in even more . .the ashen lashes fringing his lash line . .she kept staring at him , under a vicious spell, " it's the favorite scent of predators. . innocent Sarah."

"And yours?" She asked so suddenly almost shocking him. Almost.

Shaking this head slightly, he glanced up at the jar of coffee , " if I tell you, you'll run away from me."

"Try me." She was surprising herself by being so. . forward.

Something about him was unraveling the boldness in her.

Damien glanced at her , once again humor litting up his face.

"Everyone says try me . Everyone says trust me and when I do. .it ruins me." He said softly . More to himself.

Breathless and her throat clogging up , she didn't dare move an inch.

"Ruins you?" She repeated .

He pulled his hand back from the top shelf, shoving it into the deep pockets of his trench coat. But he didn't step back.

Didn't let her breath.

"Have you ever been. .ruined?" He asked curiously. So personally. So invasively.

She didn't have to think much.

"That night. .i-i thought. .  .," She didn't want to continue. Even now she could feel her hands go cold. Just the thought was enough to feel her heart drop.

"Why think of a tragedy that never happened. Why torture the soul?"

Her eyes dropped down.

He didn't get it. He could never. . .

"It almost did. ."

She heard him sigh and then to her astonishment, his index finger tucked under her chin. .lifting her face up.

They were eye to eye.

Nose to nose.

Mouth to mouth.

"I would love to see that day when someone else get the courage to get this close to you. To look at you like I do. To touch you like I do. . .feel your breath on his face like I do. . .yes I would love to see a man that courageous." His eyes had darkened . . darkened to the point where they seemed black. .and then he  blew a breath across her face. .so softly so gently . .

The stray hair on her forehead flew back and forth.

But she wasn't noticing.

Because all she could hear was . .that possessive promise . .the hard glint in his eyes. As if the thought of anyone getting close to her would be enough to set him on fire.

A strange chill went up and down her spine and —

He threw back his head , letting out a laugh.

His mouth widening, his eyes lit with mirth.

All Sarah could think was. .

What the hell

What the hell was happening?

Chuckling he glanced at her red face.

"Got you didn't I?"

×××××××××××××××××××