The lake was black glass at dawn, a perfect reflection of the sky. Sierra sat at the edge of the dock, toes skimming the water, hugging her knees as though she could make herself smaller, quieter, invisible.
She hadn’t slept. Not really. Every creak of the lake house during the night had felt like Damien’s breath at her ear, like the press of his hand against her skin. Her dreams had blurred with memory, and when she startled awake, she couldn’t tell if the heat in her veins was real or imagined.
She thought distance might help, but the lake offered no comfort. The silence here was too heavy, too thick.
“You’re up early.”
Sierra jumped at the sound of his voice.
Damien stood at the edge of the dock, sleeves rolled up, shirt unbuttoned at the throat. He looked relaxed, almost casual bu
