Ryleigh woke with a sense of excitement that hummed just beneath her skin. The memory of Derek’s kiss the day before still lingered on her lips like a forgotten promise, soft and electric. Her stomach fluttered with anticipation—today, she would see him again.
But even in the quiet glow of morning, Damien’s presence haunted her thoughts. His voice, low and intoxicating, echoed in her mind. The way he had touched her—possessive, demanding, almost reverent—clashed sharply with Derek’s gentle tenderness. One kiss had left her breathless. The other had left her aching in ways she wasn’t sure she understood.
She pushed the thoughts away and sat up in bed, brushing out the tangles from her hair with shaky fingers. Today was about Derek. She wouldn't let Damien poison the little freedom she'd b
