All that you are is all I ever needed.

- Damien

I felt my heart skipped a beat at his words. How can such a sweet man be called a Beast? Or is it only my thinking.

I felt my cheek redden up and I shyly looked down. I didn't know what to say. His words had a power that captivated me. I have been with men before but no one has this effect on me nor Amber has let anyone of them this close to her. Amber acceptance towards him has also started melting my heart. How couldn't it?

I didn't know what was going through his mind and a small part of heart was warning me that this might be his game. Like an alluring predator he was trying to bond me in his spell and then pounce and devour me.

I mentally shook my head. This is no time to think about something like that. In the meanwhile a yawn escape my mouth. I looked at the clock on the wall which read four o'clock.

"You must be sleepy.", Damien muttered but I heard him clearly. I didn't have the energy to reply so I simply nodded my head. I got of the super comfy bed as I decided to pick Amber and take her back to my room.

I made my way to her. My already clumsy steps becoming more clumsy due to the dire need of sleep.

"Wait.", I heard Damien's voice. My actions stopped as I turned around to see Damien looking at me.

"What's wrong? ", I softly asked as another yawn left my mouth.

"Can't princess sleep her... umm with me.", Damien asked as a slight tint of red appeared on his cheeks. If I shouldn't have looked carefully I should have missed it. But when it come to this predator, my senses are heightened. I may be his prey but I won't be caught without a good chase.

"Alright. I will leave. Good night.", I muttered softly as I neared the door but before I could open it. Damien cought my arm and spun me around. The whole world spun around me as I gripped Damien's shirt for support.

Once I was able stable myself, I gave Damien my infamous glare and in return Damien passed me a sheepish smile as he mouthed sorry.

"What if Amber needs you in night?", he asked.

"Call me then.", I stated. But I don't think this was the answer he was looking for.

"You know that on this bed five people can sleep and as it is Amber will be sleeping in the middle so you also sleep here. Will you?", he asked. He is request looked to innocent and sincere for me to refuse so I simply nodded my head and made my way to the bed.

It was then I remembered something I needed to tell him.

"Tomorrow I need to go for Lila's funeral. Will you come?", I asked.

"Why do want to go to her funeral after what she has done to you?", Damien asked. His eyes accusing.

"She is my sister, Damien. I have to go.", I stated with a sigh.

Damien just gave me a curt nod but didn't utter a single word. He motioned me to go to the bed and sleep. I simply nodded not having any energy to fight.

As I rested my head on the pillow, I looked at Damien to see him removing his shirt but he stopped mid-way. He looked up at me and found me already looking at him.

Hesitation, it was visible in his eyes as if he was hiding something. He shook his head slightly, more to himself as he switched off the lights.

Not having the energy to think anymore I got inside the covers. Damien got inside the covers from the opposite side.

I decided to put my hand around Amber but I think Damien was thinking the same thing. Our fingers brushed as sparks ignited. I took my hand back and muttered a sorry.

Let him hold her today. I thought.

The moon was shinning brilliantly through the curtains of the cloud and the light was falling on Damien's right arm which was completely tattooed. I don't know if he has tattoos on his back and chest but as much I have seen only his right arm is tattooed and his left arm is free of them.

My eyes fell in a the tattoo of a tiny bird. It was small maybe part of a different tattoo but the detailing was impressive. The wings were huge, twice the size of the bird. The way her beak was pointed and the curve of her neck was draw, it amazed me. The only thing I could say was that it had magnificent detailing.

"When you got this tattoo made?", I asked while tracing it.

"The bird?", he asked.

"Yeah.", I said.

"It is a phoenix. I got it made after I say Amber. You named her after fire so I thought getting a phoenix made would be the right thing.", Damien stated. I didn't know if he could see it or not but I nodded my head.

"And there is another reason...umm she reminds me of a bird.", Damien stated.

"Because you saved her.", I more over questioned.

"No darling. She rescued me from my darkness and loneliness.", Damien stated thoughtfully after taking a pause. I didn't know the reply but I wanted to say, she freed me too Damien.

"Good night Damien.", I whispered.

"Good night angel.", Damien murmured.

It was the last thing I heard before I went in deep slumber.

~*~

Light seeped through the window as it fell on my eyes. I groaned but much to my restrain opened my eyes. Such a morning person!

I sat up on the bed as I eased my muscle that became stiff due to sleeping in one position.

I looked at the side and an amused smile took over my features. Father and daughter have found a very creative way of sleeping.

The duvet was long gone. I worried that if the slept through the whole night without the duvet then they might have caught cold.

Damien had both of his arms wrapped around Amber protectively. Amber has thrown both of her legs over Damien's oversized body as she was using Damien's neck as her pillow and with both of her hands she held Damien's jet black hair. I don't even know if this position was comfortable or not. But the deep slumber both of them were in made me feel they were very comfortable.

I looked up at the wall to see the time on the clock. It read nine o'clock. Oh sugar, we are going to be late.

I moved to the other side of the bed to remove the clingy koala from Damien. It took me around two minutes to do so. I was shocked to see to see Damien has not woken up. Maybe this is what you call peaceful sleep. His features soft yet sharp and I couldn't help but admire. His long eyelashes brushed his high cheek bone. His eyebrows perfectly shaped making me envy him. A bit of his toned body on display. He looked every bit of a god or maybe an angel but a fallen one.

I looked in Amber's direction to see she has woken up and rubbing her eyes. Thank god she was up.

I felt guilty but I needed to do it. I shook Damien's shoulder and he groaned. But still opened his eyes. His eyes were red with sleep. He looked over my face features for a moment.

"Damien it is nine o'clock. We have to go for Lila's funeral.", I stated as I decided to turn around but Damien held my wrist as he pulled me.

I fell on the bed but it was rock hard. Wait it wasn't the bed it was Damien's chest. I was .....over him?

Before I could make a move he tied both of his strong arms around my waist restraining any moment from my side. My heart was pounding in my chest. I feared it would come out.

"Lets sleep for a bit longer.", Damien grumbled. His voice husky and rough due to sleep and did I forget suggestive. I turned my head around to see Amber has again fallen asleep. Great! Just great!

"Damien if you don't let me go right now then I will.... umm I will....."

"What will you do love?", Damien question and his voice sounded seductive in my ears.

"I will take Amber and go to stay at Nana's house for two weeks. Yes two weeks.", I stated proud at my negotiating strategy.

"You won't do that to me?", Damien asked innocently. A sly smile took over my face.

"Try me.", I stated. I looked at Damien to see his lips have formed a pout and he was glaring at me. Not a real glare, the one he gives to others and make them flinch. It was more of a teasing glare.

"I don't like the idea of you dominating me.", he stated and before I could respond he had flipped me over. Our places were interchanged. Now he was at top of me. How the hell did he do that?

He bent down slightly and I closed my eyes. Will he kiss me? I thought to myself. But I didn't feel his lips instead he was nuzzling his nose on my cheek. What is he doing?

I felt my face heat up as his innocent assault continued. But I would like if I say I didn't like it. He wasn't doing anything but the effect he had on my body was both exciting and terrifying.

I opened my eyes as he stopped nuzzling my cheek. His grey orbs were looking intensely at me.

"Please Damien.", I said making my always effective puppy face. I heard him sigh.

"Fine but this has not ended.", Damien stated as his eyes were gleaming with determination.

"But first say good morning to me.", Damien stated. Such a child! That so to a stubborn one.

"Fine. Good morning Damien.", I stated.

"Good morning angel.", Damien stated softly as he kissed my forehead and my heart again skipped a beat. His warmth and smell was intoxicating as I felt if I don't push away now I will be lost in it. But I even had a question in my mind. Was it only me or I had the same effect on Damien?

Finally he let go of my waist as he got up. I sighed in relief as I got up myself.

I again looked up at the clock and it read 9:30 am. I moved to wake Amber but Damien stopped me. I looked up at him questionably.

"Go get ready. I will wake up Amber and get her ready.", Damien stated. I was amused at his reply.

"You haven't done it ever Damien. You won't be able to do it.", I clearly stated.

Damien frowned at my reply.

"I am her father. I can do it.", Damien stated confidently. Maybe I didn't doubt his confident but I doubted Amber's reaction.

"But....."

"No buts. I will do it. If I will need your help I would call you. There is nothing wrong in trying. Now shoo away and get ready.", Damien stated cutting me.

I simply sighed. I won't win from this man. I accepted my defeat and went to my room to get ready.

I decided to make it quick so that I could help Damien. I rushed in the bathroom, did my business and took a bath. In my rush I forget to switch from cold to hot water. I hissed at the water made contact with my skin. I quickly turned the setting and continued with the bath.

I wrapped a soft towel around my body as I exited the bathroom. I made my way to the walk in closet and picked out a simple black dress. It was tight from up but flowed down from my waist. It had three quarters sleeve and didn't show any cleavage. Just like I wanted. The dressed just below my knees and it was modest. I looked in the mirror and nodded my head.

I paired my dress with a pair of black flats. Next I applied moisturizer to my face, arms and legs. I quickly brushed my platinum blonde and I decided to let then flow free. As it is I didn't know any hair style. I picked the phone from the nightstand as I made my way out of my room.

"No princess, that is not how you do it.", I heard Damien's voice from Amber's room.

I entered the room to find no one was there. The voice was coming from the bathroom. I quietly entered the bathroom as I heard another groan from Damien.

I giggled as I looked at the scene. The overgrown man was failing miserably at bathing his daughter. Amber was jumping in the tub making leaving Damien all wet.

Damien's face turned in my direction as he glared at me. Well buddy, it wasn't me who gave you this duty. You took it yourself.

"You find it funny?", Damien hissed and I couldn't help but nod my head.

As Amber looked at me, her moment stopped. I neared the jacuzzi tub to see Amber looking at me intently.

"Now darling if you let Damien bathe you then you get ice cream.", I stated as her face glowed. Like an obedient child she sat in the tub.

"What the fu....fork! I was trying to bathe her for the last ten minutes and just by saying ice cream you made her sit like an obedient kid.", Damien stated in disbelief. I simply shook my head.

"I am her mother. I have been with her since the day she was born so I know what she likes.", I stated. I said it casually but something stirred in Damien's eyes, remorse.

"If only I should have been there with you. Seeing her first ultrasound film, feeling the pleasure when she kicked in you, taking photograph with my camera when you were giving birth to her, fighting with you over her name, decorating her room, seeing the first time she crawled and walked, learning....."

"Shush....", I stated as I placed my finger on his lips. He didn't even notice when I reached near him. He sounded so vulnerable at that moment. As if he has lost something very precious and maybe it was the case. I didn't know what to do, other than comforting him.

"It is alright. What is lost can't come back but we can shape the future. Think like this, you just lost three years with her and you still have so many years to go. Now lets bathe her together.", I stated softly as I removed my hand from his lips but the tingly sensation was still there from touching his lips.

Damien first looked at me and then at Amber. He again looked back at me as he passed me a smile.

"Yeah. Lets do it together."