Damon did not let go of her. He did not step back.
He did exactly the opposite.
He held her even closer. He tightened his arms securely around her waist, pressing her flush against his beating heart. He rested his chin very gently on the very top of her wet, messy
hair. He wrapped her up so completely that the freezing wind could not touch a single inch of her skin.
He closed his eyes. He thought to himself, sending his own desperate, earnest, silent plea directly into the space between them, hoping his feelings would reach her panicked mind.
"Please stop pushing me away, Camilla," Damon thought silently.
His internal voice was raw and honest.
"Please just let me hold you," Damon pleaded in his thoughts, rubbing his hand slowly up and down her shivering back. "I know you are scared. But I will never hurt you. I will never betray your trust. I will protect you from the entire world. Just trust me this one time. Please let me in."
Camilla stood frozen in his warm arms.
