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Holly kissed down my neck, her lips soft against my collarbone, sending shivers racing through me.

“You don’t have to hide from me anymore,” she murmured, her breath warm against my skin.

I exhaled sharply, feeling the tension in my body tighten as her words settled deep inside me. For the first time in my life, I believed her. It was terrifying and exhilarating all at once.

She pushed me back slightly, just enough for our eyes to lock. Her lips curved into something soft, something reverent that made my heart race. Those dark eyes of hers held a depth I hadn’t seen before—more than just lust; there was devotion.

I swallowed hard, throat tight. Fuck, I wanted her. More than I wanted anything in my goddamn pathetic excuse of life. This wasn’t the usual dance of power I was accustomed to; it felt like I was being offered something precious instead of being forced into a corner.

Her hands moved over me slowly, carefully, as if she were memorizing every scar and contour of my body. There was no demand in her touch—no claim being staked or territory being marked—just an exploration filled with reverence. She was learning me instead of demanding pieces of me I wasn’t ready to give.

The sensation made me feel exposed in ways I hadn’t anticipated. Each caress felt like a brush against the raw edges of my past, stirring emotions I had buried deep within the chaos that had always surrounded me. My grip on her tightened instinctively, not out of fear but out of a need to hold onto this moment—the way she embraced every part of who I was.

“Damien,” she breathed, pulling back just enough for our faces to be inches apart.

“Just stay,” I said softly, the plea slipping out before I could stop myself.

She nodded slowly, a promise shining in those beautiful eyes—a promise that we were standing on the edge of something monumental together.

She kissed my chest, trailing her lips down to my ribs, lingering on the scars that told stories I’d tried so hard to forget. Each gentle touch sent a shudder through me, the warmth of her breath igniting something I hadn’t felt in ages. It was as if she could see all the broken pieces I kept hidden away, and instead of flinching or pulling back, she embraced them.

“Holly,” I breathed, the sound escaping my lips like a plea.

She met my gaze head-on, those deep eyes unwavering. “I love you, Damien.”

The words hit me harder than any punch I’d ever taken. They crashed against my chest like a tidal wave, sweeping away the layers of anger and fear I’d built up over the years. No one had ever said that to me and meant it—not with such conviction.

My stomach clenched painfully as her declaration hung in the air between us. It felt both exhilarating and terrifying all at once. Could I believe it? Did I deserve it?

I cupped her face in my hands, feeling the softness of her skin beneath my thumbs as I brushed over her lips. My heart raced; it was like a battle inside me—a part of me wanting to say it back, wanting to let those words slip free. But could I? Would saying those words only make me vulnerable again?

Right now, I couldn’t voice what was surging within me. Instead, all I could do was show her.

I leaned in closer, capturing her mouth with mine again, pouring every ounce of emotion into that kiss—the fear, the need, the aching desire to be loved despite all that had come before. The way she responded lit a fire inside me; every flicker of warmth ignited hope within my chaotic heart.

I wanted her to know—wanted her to feel how deeply she penetrated every wall I had erected around myself over the years. As our lips moved together in a frantic dance of longing and desperation, I held nothing back.

She positioned herself over me, her body a silhouette in the dim light. I could feel the heat radiating off her skin as she slid down onto me, enveloping me in a warmth that seemed to seep into my very bones.

We moved together slowly, deliberately, like neither of us were in a rush. It wasn't about release or gratification; it was about something bigger—something unspoken that hung heavy between us.

Holly whispered my name against my skin, her breath hot and ragged. The sound of it did something to me—it grounded me, destroyed me, and put me back together all at once.

I buried my face against her throat, feeling the pulse of her heartbeat beneath my lips. "You're everything," I murmured, the words slipping out before I could stop them. "You're mine," I added, my voice barely above a whisper.

Holly trembled beneath me, her fingers digging into my back as if she was trying to hold on to this moment for as long as possible.

"I always have been," she replied, her voice thick with emotion.

The words hung in the air between us, heavy with meaning and unspoken truths. I felt myself drowning in her—in the way she looked at me, the way she touched me, the way she made me feel like I was worth something despite all the chaos that had come before.

We continued to move together, our bodies intertwined Each touch, each kiss, each whispered word felt like a promise—a vow that we would navigate this storm together, no matter what lay ahead.

As we clung to each other, I realized that for the first time in my life; I wasn't afraid of the darkness that had always surrounded me. With Holly by my side, I knew that I could face anything—even the demons that haunted my past.

I felt alive, like every nerve ending in my body was on fire. The sensation of her skin against mine was intoxicating, and I couldn't get enough. I trailed my lips down her neck, savoring the taste of her sweat-slicked skin.

She moaned softly as I took one of her breasts in my mouth, sucking gently on her nipple. The sound sent a jolt of electricity straight to my groin, and I felt myself growing harder. I couldn't help but groan in response, the vibrations sending shivers down her spine.