The Grave Of Romance

The city looks calm at night. From my office I see lights stretching far into the distance glowing softly against the sky. Everything feels quiet, almost peaceful. I know that's not true. My life has never been simple. I built everything I have with my hands. Every deal, every risk every long night was mine. I didn't want to rely on my family's name, the Voss name even though it follows me everywhere. My family has a lot of power. It also comes with control, rules and secrets I don't want. I chose a path and paid for it by being distant from them.. I don't regret it. This company is mine. This life is mine.. At least that's what I keep telling myself. Tonight should feel like a victory. My engagement is almost done and my work is strong. Everything looks perfect from the outside.. Something inside me feels off like a quiet warning I don't understand. I try to ignore it and focus on the file in front of me. The words blur together. My thoughts keep going to one person. I hear the door open behind me soft but clear in the room. My body reacts before I even turn around. I already know who it is. I would recognize him anywhere. " Is this late?" his voice reaches me, deep and steady. It has a strength that always grabs my attention. I lift my head. Face him. Damian Hale stands near the door filling the room without effort. His suit fits him perfectly. His tie is slightly loose making him look more relaxed. He has an authority that makes people step back.. When he looks at me there's something else in his eyes, something softer. "You are not any different " I reply, my voice gentle. He walks toward me each step controlled. The space between us disappears slowly and I feel my heart beat a little faster. When he stops in front of me he doesn't speak away. He just looks at me like I'm the thing that matters. "I came because of you, " he says finally. His tone is simple. It means a lot making my chest tighten. I stood up unable to stay under his gaze. The distance between us feels too small. I don't step back. Instead I move closer. I see every detail on his face, every line, every shadow. "Damian " I said quietly, his name leaving my lips with more emotion than I had planned. Silence fills the room again. It doesn't feel empty. It feels heavy like something important is about to happen. Then he lifts his hand. Gently moves a strand of my hair away from my face. His fingers brush my skin, warm and steady sending a feeling through me. I don't move away. I stay right where I am caught in the moment. "You have been holding back " he says, his eyes searching mine. I shake my head slightly. "No, I have been trying to make sense of everything, " I answered honestly. "Of what?" he asks. I take a breath before answering. "Of us." Something changes in his expression, something deeper and more certain. Before I can think further his hand rests on my waist. Pulls me closer. The movement is gentle but firm leaving no space between us. I place my hands against his chest feeling the rhythm of his heart. It feels really grounding to me. "Then listen to me, " he says softly. His voice is calm. There's emotion beneath it. "I don't care about expectations. I don't care about your family or what they think. None of that matters to me." His grip tightens slightly, not in force. In need. "You are what matters." My breath slows as his words settle inside me. I search his face looking for doubt. I found none. Only the truth. "Aria " he says my name with strength. He pauses for a moment then continues, "I love you." Everything inside me goes still. Those words carry weight breaking through every wall I built. I've felt this for long hidden. It questioned and tried to control it.. Hearing him say it so clearly changes everything. My hands tighten slightly against him as I look up into his eyes. "I love you too " I reply, my voice soft but sure. "I tried to ignore it. I couldn't." A faint change appears on his face, something to relief. In the moment he pulls me closer, his hand moving to the back of my neck as he lowers his head. I don't hesitate. I lean toward meeting him halfway. Our lips touch, soft at first, careful like we're both aware of how much this moment means. Then the feeling grows stronger. The kiss deepens, filled with everything we've been holding inside. My hands move to his shoulders holding onto him like I might lose balance. He keeps me close, steady and firm. The world outside disappears. There is no office, no city, no pressure. Only him. Only this. The kiss becomes intense, not rushed, but full of emotion. It carries trust, desire and something deeper that words can't explain. When we finally pull apart our foreheads rest together our breathing uneven. I close my eyes for a moment letting the feeling settle inside me. For once I don't feel like I'm fighting against anything. I feel certain. I feel safe. When I open my eyes again I see him looking at me in a way he never has before. There's strength in his gaze. Also something softer that belongs only to this moment. I believe in it. I believe in us. I believe that everything ahead will be worth it. I don't see the danger waiting beyond this room. I don't see the plans already forming in the shadows. I don't see how quickly everything can change. All I know is that I love him and he loves me.. Right now that feels like enough.