Judged By You (Judge Me Series) (38 page)

“Look, I know I screwed up. I left you when you needed me, only to come back and find you in trouble which Stephen bailed you out of
,” Cameron swallowed hard. “That should have been me Sav; it should have been me protecting you and me that went to jail. Not Stephen. It was my mistake; I will never forgive myself Savannah, I loved…”

I put my finger over his lips to silence him. I didn’t need to hear the rest, I needed to forgive him. I had too…….

“I forgive you Cameron. You can’t do this, not to me. You crushed me, if it wasn’t enough that Stephen went to prison, you left, no good bye nothing. You crushed me…. But I forgive you. I have to.” I said slowly removed my finger.

“I saw Stephen every weekend for four years you know. I have seen you coming and going a few times, but I always stayed hidden. I didn’t know what to do, I wanted to talk to you so badly, to tell you how sorry I was, how much you meant to me. I fucked up, and all I wanted was to make that right for you, for us
.”

“Cameron……
.” I took a deep breath.

“Listen to me, please
,” Cameron placed his hands on my shoulders. “I need you to forgive me as much as you need to forgive me. But your only forgiving me now because you doubt yourself, and you should savannah… you should doubt it because this isn’t you.”

His words stung. He was right, this wasn’t totally me, but I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of me admitting that. I pushed his chest away from me. His hands fell off my shoulders. I could feel the tears building, but I couldn’t be weak, I couldn’t cry at his words. Not today. So I walked away, I grabbed my purse and walked away….
Leaving Cameron standing in my room watching me, his eyes burning into me. I could feel that look no matter where I was or where he was. When he looked at me it burnt, it always had.

“You do look gorgeous Sweet Cheeks
.” I hear Cameron shout as I ran down the stairs.

I didn’t want it to burn me anymore, but I couldn’t put that fire out……….

Chapter 17

The drive to Damon’s was painful. I had stray tears running down my cheeks the whole way. Nicole caught up with me before I left, and I told her what happened. I walked out of the house to her yelling at Cameron. I was running late as it was so I couldn’t stick around any longer. As soon as I started the Dodge I was gone, I didn’t look back at the house. I had that burning feeling as I took off out of the drive way, and of course that’s when the tears started.

When I arrived I parked next to Aston and headed straight for the lift. As soon as the doors closed I turned to look in the mirror, my makeup was still pretty good, which surprised me. I thought for sure my mascara and eyeliner would do running down my face by now, but no… it was still intact. My knuckles were white by the time I got to the 18
th
floor from holding onto the rail, I hated heights. I straightened myself up as I knocked on the door and waited. I decided there and then to leave my issues with Cameron at the door. This night was for Damon and me, Cameron was not invited.

Within seconds
, the door opened, and Damon stood in front of me with a stunned expression. I took in his crisp charcoal suit, with a fresh white shirt. A smile splayed along his mouth as he reached his hand out to me. I took it immediately, not thinking twice. He pulled me until my body was flush against his, his free hand came up and stroked my cheek.

“You look utterly breathtaking Savannah.
You take my breath away.” He said before bringing his lips to mine. His kiss was gentle and soft and breathtaking. When he pulled away, I swayed on my feet before gathering my balance.

“You look incredible yourself Damon
.” I grinned, stepping back a little to look at him again.

He returned my grin and pulled me into the house further, before shutting the door. The smell that was wafting through the house from the kitchen was
sensational, my mouth was watering thinking about food. As we came into the kitchen, I noticed several people dressed in all white pants and shirts with chef hats. I looked up at Damon for clarification; he winked at me….. Yep he hired help.

I could hear voices, and laughter coming through the lounge room as we walked closer. The balcony doors were open, and out there sat people around a table. Damon squeezed my hand and continued to lead the way. Those butterflies I had tried to keep at bay were suddenly springing into action. This was real, I was meeting his family. I returned his squeezing gesture and took a deep breath as we approached.

We walked out onto the balcony, and everybody looked out way. When I looked around everyone was smiling wide. At that moment, I felt a little less scared.

“Everyone this is Savannah
,” Damon said moving me to stand beside him. His arm wrapped around my waist. “This is my parents, Beth and Jack.” Damon pointed.

His mother and father came round the table and pulled me into a tight embrace one by one.

“It’s so lovely to meet you dear. Damon talks about you a lot.” Beth gushed.

“You
’re as lovely as he said.” His father said kissing my hand.

“Thank you
.” I replied a little flustered.

“And
, this is my sister Amelia, and brother William.” Damon turned me to his side as his brother and sister came into view.

They both shook my hand and said similar things to his parents. William looked like a younger version of
Damon, it was unbelievable how similar they looked. When he smiled at me, all I could see was Damon’s smile. And Amelia was beautiful, she was extremely stunningly pretty. She had long dark hair, piercing blue eyes and perfect facial features.

Damon pulled out a chair close to the door and gestured for me to sit. I was grateful that I wasn’t any further away from the door because we were eighteen stories up and the height was still on my mind.

“Would you like something to drink dear?” Beth asked me signalling for someone behind me.

“Ah yes please
.”

A waiter fills my glass with white wine. I pick up my glass and taste it.
It's lovely, crisp and fresh. The fruitiness gives the tang that comfortable sweet taste.

“So
, Damon tells us you want to be a lawyer.” Jack says sipping his beer.

“Yes that’s correct. I have been studying off and on for a while. Unforeseen circumstances have seen me put it on hold a few times, but we will see how things go in the future
.” I say with a smile.

“Oh
dear, You just take your time. It will always be there.” Beth reaches over and pats my hand.

Conversations go on between us about different lawyer firms throughout the country and the laws that are continuously changing. Damon and his dad are exceptionally knowledgeable between the two of them, and I enjoy the conversation between them. Amelia and William have a lot to say even though they aren’t lawyers themselves. The family is exceedingly upfront and comfortable, I like them.

“Do you have any brothers or sisters Savannah?” Williams asks.

“I have a brother, Stephen
.” I reply.

“What does he do for a living dear?
” Beth asks curious.

I freeze. What do you say to that?

“He is in the mechanical business.” Damon interrupts.

His hand lands on my thigh and he softly rubs it. I look to him, and he winks, I give him a tight smile and put up my wine.

“Have you heard from that evil woman?” Beth suddenly asks.

I look to her, and she has daggers out. I feel Damon stiffen as he clears his throat.

“No, I haven’t mom.” Damon's reply is pointed at his mother, and it’s a warning.

Silence falls over the table afterwards.
We all continue to look at each with small smiles, but nobody says a word for long minutes. Well that’s until Amelia clears her throat, then everyone looks her way.

“So I have something I need to tell you all. And I thought I would do it while we are all together
.” She has the biggest smile on her face.

“This should be good
.” William mumbles. That earns him a smack in the arms from Amelia. Well laugh.

“Well at Christmas we will have an extra person in the family
.” Amelia states with a smile.

A loud shout, than a lot of “oh my god’s” follow.
Everyone is on their feet in an instant, we start making our way to Amelia to congratulate her. I follow suit even though I don’t know her that well.

A grey, black and white picture gets passed around once we find our seats again.
Looking at it reminds me of Nicole’s babies, and the excitement I feel for her and Amelia.

“What are you thinking? You have this unbelievably sexy smile on your face
.” Damon says, tipping my chin to meet his gaze.

“Nicole and
Amelia’s babies.” I said looking at his mouth.

I wanted to kiss him, but I wouldn’t dare in front of his parents.
It would be too awkward. But before I get to pull away, Damon plants a soft kiss on my lips.

“Awww
, Aren’t you two just gorgeous together? I'm so glad Damon has met you Savannah.” Beth says clutching her chest.

I feel my cheeks heat as I pull away from Damon to hand the picture over to his mother.
The waiter appears with our meals, and can I say…. They look spectacular! I am actually starving; I didn't have a change to eat today, so my last meal was last night. Hence the wine going straight to my head. I haven’t started giggling uncontrollably yet, so that’s a bonus. But if I didn’t eat soon, it would’ve been a given.

All the talk over dinner is about food. Both Beth and Jack commented that they are looking at taking an overdue holiday to experience the tastes of the world first hand.
They say they can cook them but haven’t actually eaten them in other cultures. They seem so happy together. Small smiles, holding hands, and the quiet “I love you's”. It reminds me so much of my parents, they were the same. They loved each other unconditionally. I wanted that, that love……..

“So Savannah, where do
your parents live?” Amelia asked between mouthfuls.

Damon gave her a stern look mouthing something. I placed my hand on his
arm; he turned to me with worry in his eyes.

“
It’s okay,” I assured him before answering Amelia. “They passed away six years ago. It's just me and my brother.”

Beth dropped her cutlery with
a chatter and clutched her chest. “I'm so sorry dear.” She said in a sad tone.

“Thank you
.” I replied. See short and sweet, I could do that……

“I
'm sorry Savannah, it was so insensitive of me.”

“No
, it’s ok Amelia. You weren’t to know.” I reassured her.

The conversation shifts to William and his work. He explains how busy he has been of late and that things are slowing down a little now.
He also plans to travel a little soon, he wants to visit Africa and put money into ‘building the future funds’ that they do over there. I think it's such a good idea, and I mentally think that I should do the same.

Our dinner plates are taken away by staff, and dessert is put in its place.  Boston
Cream Pie yummy! I haven’t had this in so long, and it melts in my mouth. I let out a small moan when I swallow the first mouthful.

“I want to hear that sound later when I make you come
.” He whispers only loud enough for me to hear….. Well I hoped that I was the only one that heard.

I blush. When I look up
, everyone else Is busy eating or and talking among themselves. I let out a breath of relief. He kisses my cheek before letting out a laugh.

“What
’s so funny son.” Jack states looking between the two of us.

“Nothing for you to worry about
.” Damon stated, winking at me.

William states a few crude comments and earns himself a slap from his
sister and an elbow from Damon. When I have finished dessert, I am full. I couldn’t eat anything else; thought of more food makes me feel sick. The waiter clears the table after offering more wine. I refuse. I couldn’t drink anymore wine either.

“We will have coffee please
.” Jack announces. The waiter nods than walks back inside.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It's been three hours since coffee were placed in front of us, and we have done nothing but talk and laugh hysterically. The stories I
hear from Damon’s parents about him and his siblings is torture to him. Of course like me, he blames everyone else for his mistakes that people find funny. I felt like I’ve known Damon for ages with the way everyone treats me, I don’t feel like we have just. It's hugely comforting, and I love it. It makes me miss my parents but also fills a gap that I have had for six long years.