Damian's POV
He knew that they were playing a dangerous game so he tried to keep his distance the last few weeks. He called her on the Junior Wing Bridge to tell her about the combat battles but completely forgot about all his resistance when he saw her waiting for him on the Bridge, tapping her foot impatiently with that irritated frown on her face.
He knew that he was attracted to her. Her stubbornness, temper, attitude... it was like everything she did made him want her even more. The more he tried to distance himself, the more he was drawn to her like a moth to a flame.
Her proximity, her stubbornness, her cute little frown that she made whenever she tried to feign her irritation; it was all too much for him. He knew that even though her mind refused to cower down, her body betrayed her, shivering slightly under his command. Only he knew how much he wanted her to say his name.
But she was too stubborn to give in easily. After a moment's pause, she looked him directly in the eye, her own eyes flashing with stubbornness.
"Make me, cocky asshole."
A flicker of surprise flashed across his face at her boldness, but it was quickly replaced by a smirk. Like always, he was amused by her stubbornness. He loved how she would never back down no matter how much he pushed him. It was one of the many things he admired about her.
"Aren't you a stubborn venomous little thing?" he murmured in a low rumble as he looked at her in admiration. Venomous, that's what she was.
She was half a human, half a hurricane, half heavenly and half forbidden like hell. But forbidden things always had a secret charm.
"You seem to love invading my privacy all the time, don't you, Thorndyke?" she rolled her eyes in irritation, making him suppress his chuckle.
"Only when it's entertaining," he admitted, the corner of his mouth twitching. He was thoroughly enjoying the banter, her defiance only adding to the thrill. He could stay here all night, trading witty remarks and pushing her buttons. Her stubbornness and independence were just as attractive as they were irritating.
"And let's be honest, you make it easy," he continued, his smirk growing. "You're so stubborn and reckless that it's practically asking for me to step in and save you from yet another idiotic situation you've managed to land yourself into."
She scowled at him, suddenly pushing him away, "No one asked you to save me like I'm a damsel in distress."
Thorndyke chuckled as she pushed him away, expecting her reaction. "I never said you were a damsel in distress, little venom," he took a step back, casually leaning against the stone pillar behind him, "but you got to admit, you do tend to find yourself in some interesting situations quite often. Someone's has to keep you from ending up in the infirmary every other day."
"So you are implying that I should get on my knees and be grateful to you for that?" she gritted her teeth, making him frown. He didn't know why but the thought of her being vulnerable to not just him, but any man didn't settle right with him.
"Why would I want you to be grateful?"
He could tell that she was taken aback by his response, but she crossed her arms, probably trying to seem indifferent, "Because that's how it usually goes, isn't it? The knight-in-shining-armour saves the damsel, and she's eternally grateful for the rest of her life."
Was that how she had always seen him? As some arrogant knight thinking he was entitled to his eternal gratitude just because he happened to save her ass?
"You think I have some hero complex like that? That I want you at my feet, completely submissive and bowing to my will because I saved your life?" his voice was low, his irritation apparent. He couldn't believe that she thought that's how he saw her. He knew she probably thought that way of all men.
He shook his head. That would simply not work.
When she crossed her arms, he walked up to her until they were practically chest to chest again, "But you're not a damsel in distress, are you? You're the furthest thing from it. You're strong, independent, and more stubborn than a mule."
He took her chin between his index and thumb, gently tilting her face up to meet his gaze, "You're not the usual helpless damsel who needs a knight to save her. You're a fighter, through and through."
He had a feeling that he wouldn't want her any other way.
"I never said I was helpless," she scoffed, rolling her eyes but her flushed cheeks betrayed her defiance.
Damian chuckled. It was endearing how she tried to maintain her tough exterior, but her flushing cheeks gave her away. He couldn't help but be drawn to her even more because of her stubbornness and feigned indifference.
"No, you've never said that you were helpless," he said, his voice low and amused. "In fact, it seems like the word 'helpless' doesn't exist in your vocabulary."
He tilted his head, his dark eyes searching hers, "But you do have a habit of trying to handle everything on your own, don't you? Even when you're in trouble, you don't ask for help."
She bristled at his comment. "And what's wrong with that?" she retorted, her eyes flashing with defensiveness. "I can handle myself just fine. I don't need anyone's help. I've been doing fine on my own for this long, haven't I?"
He nodded, chuckling at her words. She had been doing fine on her own. Except for a couple of brawls here, and fights there, she was completely fine.
It seemed that she understood his amusement at her defensive lie, because she groaned, "Just tell me why you called me here, Thorndyke. I don't have all night."
He shook his head, a smile still playing on his lips.
Right. The combat battles.