The early morning sun filtered through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Damien’s penthouse, casting golden streaks across the polished marble floors. It should have felt like peace, but the air was thick with tension, desire, and the weight of everything that had happened. Damien sat on the edge of the bed, fingers drumming against the sheets, mind a chaotic storm of regret, obsession, and longing. Bella lay beside him, her body still wrapped in the afterglow of their passionate reconciliation the night before. Her chest rose and fell with soft, uneven breaths, eyes closed, the faintest smile curling her lips.
Damien watched her, tracing the curve of her jaw with a finger, marveling at the delicate strength of her features and the intoxicating vulnerability of her slumber. He wanted to hol
