BOUND BY DESIRE

Chapter 34 – Breaking Point

Elena lay awake in bed, staring at the ceiling of Damon’s penthouse. The city lights flickered through the window, casting shadows along the sleek walls.

But no matter how luxurious the surroundings, she still felt trapped.

Damon hadn’t spoken much after they returned. He had disappeared into his office, the tension in his shoulders refusing to ease.

She hated this.

The waiting. The uncertainty. The feeling that something was slipping through her fingers, but she had no way to stop it.

A deep sigh left her lips as she sat up, hugging her knees to her chest.

Everything was changing.

The Damon she had met weeks ago—the cold, unyielding businessman—was not the same man she had seen tonight.

He was unraveling.

And she wasn’t sure if she should try to catch him… or let him fall.

Her fingers tightened around the sheets.

Before she could second-guess herself, she slid out of bed and padded toward his office.

The door was slightly ajar.

She hesitated.

A part of her knew Damon hated being seen in moments of weakness.

But another part of her… the part that had started to care…

Couldn’t just walk away.

Taking a breath, she pushed the door open.

Damon sat at his desk, elbows resting on the polished wood, head bowed. The dim light cast sharp angles on his face, highlighting the exhaustion in his features.

He didn’t acknowledge her, but she knew he was aware of her presence.

Elena stepped closer. “Damon.”

No response.

She swallowed. “Talk to me.”

Silence.

Then—

“I don’t talk.” His voice was quiet, but there was an edge to it. A warning.

Elena crossed her arms. “That’s not true. You just choose who you let in.”

He exhaled sharply, finally lifting his gaze to meet hers. “And what makes you think you’re one of those people?”

His tone was biting, meant to push her away.

But she didn’t flinch.

Instead, she took another step forward.

“Because I see you,” she said, her voice steady. “Not the ruthless CEO. Not the man everyone fears. I see you.”

Damon’s jaw tensed.

For a long moment, neither of them spoke.

Then, suddenly, he stood, rounding the desk with slow, measured steps.

Elena held her ground, even as he stopped inches from her.

“You think you want to see me, Elena,” he murmured. “But you don’t.”

She tilted her chin up. “Try me.”

His gaze darkened, something unreadable flashing through his eyes.

And then, before she could react, his hand reached out—gripping her chin, tilting her face up.

The air between them crackled.

“You keep pushing,” he murmured. “You should be careful what you ask for.”

Elena’s pulse pounded. She should be afraid. She should pull away.

But she didn’t.

Instead, she whispered, “And what if I’m not afraid?”

A flicker of something—surprise?—crossed his face.

Then, slowly, his thumb brushed her lower lip.

For a moment, she thought he might kiss her.

But instead—

He exhaled, his hand dropping.

“Go to bed, Elena.” His voice was rough, strained.

She studied him for a long moment, searching his face for something—anything—that would explain what he was feeling.

But Damon Blackwell was a fortress.

And tonight, she wasn’t strong enough to break through.

With a quiet nod, she turned and left.

But as she climbed back into bed, her heart still pounding—

She knew one thing for certain.

Damon was fighting something inside himself.

And she wasn’t sure how much longer he could keep it locked away.

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