It wasn’t frantic.
It was hungry.
Measured. Deliberate. Intimate.
His palm flattened against her back, drawing her closer. Her fingers found his collarbone, brushing skin—and the sound he made in response was a low, broken groan that sent shivers all the way down her spine.
Every slow drag of his lips against hers felt like a claiming.
Every breathless sigh a promise of more.
And when he finally pulled back, her lips tingled, her heart pounded, and her body felt suspended in something far more dangerous than gravity.
They sat there—breathless, trembling. His forehead resting against hers. Firelight flickering like it, too, was holding its breath.
Then Damien whispered, voice still hoarse—
“I hope I didn’t disappoint.”
Maya let out a small, dizzy laugh. Smiled.
Then pressed her l
