Damien’s POV
The kiss lingered, slow and deep, like we both knew rushing would shatter something fragile and precious. Sophia’s fingers curled tighter into my shirt as I held her against me on the sofa, her body soft and yielding in my lap. I could feel the rapid beat of her heart matching mine. No words now. Just the quiet click of the penthouse settling around us and the low hum of the city far below the windows.
I pulled back just enough to look at her. Her lips were flushed, eyes dark with emotion and something hotter. “Sophia,” I murmured, brushing my thumb across her cheek. “We don’t have to—”
“I want to,” she whispered, voice husky. “Slowly. I need to feel this… feel you.”
That was all the permission I needed. I stood, lifting her with me, her legs wrapping around my waist as I
