~Damien~
Seven years.
Seven years I had loved this woman. Watched her grow. Watched her struggle. Watched her marry someone else and pretend to be happy.
Seven years of burying my feelings so deep I sometimes forgot they existed. Of convincing myself that knowing her was enough. That being close to her was better than not having her at all.
Seven years of lying to myself.
And now she was in my arms. Warm and real and looking at me with eyes that held no secrets or barriers.
I was terrified.
Not of the physical act. I had imagined that countless times. Late at night when I was alone. In the shower when my thoughts wandered. During boring meetings when her face would flash unbidden into my mind.
No. I was terrified of disappointing her.
Nico had been intense and passionate. He had
