Page 28

Chapter 28

Damien

I watched Holly through the steam rising off our bodies; the warmth wrapping around us like a cocoon. She was still here. After everything I’d done, after everything I was, she hadn’t walked away.

My hands rested on her waist, fingers pressing into damp skin as I pulled her onto my lap. She straddled me in the tub, her forehead pressed to mine.

Her touch was soft, reverent—like she was learning me all over again. I could feel her heartbeat against my chest, a steady rhythm that seemed to anchor me. It amazed me how easily she slipped beneath my defenses, peeling back layers of anger and fear with each gentle brush of her fingertips.

I held her close, feeling the warmth radiate from her body and mixing with the hot water around us. The intimacy felt electric and terrifying at the same time. There was a rawness to this moment—a vulnerability I hadn’t allowed myself to experience in years.

“Damien,” she whispered, her voice barely breaking through the sound of water lapping against the sides of the tub.

I opened my eyes to meet hers, searching for something—reassurance or perhaps a promise that we could navigate this chaos together. The uncertainty hung heavy between us, but there was also something undeniable in the way she looked at me.

I needed her to understand what she meant to me. “You’re…” My words trailed off as I wrestled with how to articulate this new territory we were venturing into together.

Holly’s fingers brushed my cheek, grounding me in reality when my thoughts threatened to spiral out of control again. I wanted so badly for things to be different—for both of us—but change didn’t come easy for someone like me.

And yet here we were. She didn’t flinch at my scars; instead, she embraced them as part of who I was. It felt like maybe we could heal together—if only I could let go of the darkness that had followed me for so long.

My chest tightened as I stared into her eyes, the weight of her gaze pinning me in place.

Why does she stay?

How the fuck did I get this lucky?

I felt her fingers graze my jaw, tilting my chin up as if she could see straight into my soul. She searched my eyes with a depth that made everything else fade away.

“You’re mine too, you know,” she said softly.

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. My throat worked, but no words came out. No one had ever said that before—not like this. Not with that kind of certainty and warmth.

Holly leaned in closer, her lips brushing against mine. The touch was soft, not demanding or desperate—just patient. She waited for me to take what she was offering, and for a moment, everything else faded into the background.

I could feel the heat radiating from her body, mixing with the steam swirling around us in the bathroom. My heart raced at the thought of crossing that line again, but something about this moment felt different. It felt real.

I inhaled sharply, feeling the electricity crackle between us as I finally gave in to the pull I had been fighting for so long. My hands slid up her sides, fingers sinking into her hair as I captured her mouth with mine.

The kiss deepened instantly. This wasn’t just about desire; it was about ownership—of each other and all our broken pieces.

She melted against me as if we were two halves finally fitting together after being lost for so long.

I pulled back slightly, searching her face for any sign of doubt or hesitation, but all I saw was resolve—her eyes bright with determination and an unyielding trust that left me breathless.

In that instant, I knew she meant every word.

I exhaled, slow and shaky. Every breath felt charged, electric, as if the very air around us vibrated with the weight of what was happening.

She wanted me.

Not for what I could give her. Not for my name or the reputation that hung over my head like a dark cloud. Not for my body or the scars that told stories of pain and chaos. She wanted just… me.

My hands slid up her back, fingers threading into her damp hair as I pulled her closer. The warmth radiating from her skin sent heat coursing through me, igniting something long buried deep within my chest.

Our lips brushed softly at first, a hesitant exploration of what had been held back for far too long. Then it deepened—raw and desperate—as if we were trying to devour each other whole. Holly shifted against me, pressing closer, our skin slick with steam and water. The sensation was intoxicating.

A soft sigh escaped her lips, and it wrecked me. It shattered every wall I had built around my heart—every barrier I thought I could maintain. Because this wasn’t just lust; it was real. It was fucking real.

I pulled her even tighter against me, feeling every curve of her body fit against mine like she was meant to be there. There was no past weighing us down in this moment; no fear or uncertainty—just the two of us enveloped in the heat of our desire.

Her fingers explored my shoulders, tracing the lines of my muscles with a tentative curiosity that sent shivers down my spine. Each touch felt like a promise—a vow that she wouldn’t turn away this time.

The kiss deepened further; our breaths mingled in ragged gasps as we danced on the edge of something profound.

I could drown in this—drown in her—and for once? I didn’t want to fight it.

I groaned into her mouth, fingers tangling in her hair as she pressed closer, her warmth igniting a fire I thought had long been extinguished. Every kiss felt like a reckless confession, and I wanted to drown in it.

Her hands moved deliberately over my body, mapping me like she was tracing every scar, every wound—every piece of me I’d always tried to hide. I tensed under her touch when her fingers skimmed over my thighs, where the worst scars lay, the ones that still haunted me in the quiet moments when the world was asleep.

I waited for the revulsion. The hesitation that had always come with anyone else who dared to get too close. But it never came.

Instead, she continued exploring, her fingertips gliding over skin marked by pain and rage. My heart raced as I struggled to process what was happening. Each gentle caress felt like a balm to wounds I’d buried deep inside. Her eyes searched mine, filled with an understanding I’d never thought possible.

As she lingered on the jagged edges of my past, I held my breath, half-expecting her to pull away in disgust. But there was no recoil—only acceptance and an intensity that made my pulse quicken.

Why is she not afraid?

Her touch was steady, coaxing me into submission I didn’t know how to embrace. The way she traced each scar sent shivers down my spine—a mix of pleasure and something raw and terrifying. It felt like she was unlocking parts of me that had been locked away for too long.

Holly leaned closer, brushing her lips against my ear as if sharing a secret meant just for us. “You’re beautiful,” she whispered, soft but firm.

The words struck me like a blow to the chest. Beautiful? With all this chaos inside? My mind raced as doubt gnawed at the edges of my consciousness. Did she truly mean it?

But as her fingers continued their exploration—gently brushing against places I’d guarded so fiercely—I felt something shift within me.

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.

Her body arched beneath me, pressing herself closer. I could feel her heart racing, matching the rhythm of my own. I moved to her other breast, lavishing it with the same attention. She gasped, her fingers digging into my back as if trying to anchor herself to reality.

The noises she made drove me wild. Each moan, each gasp, each whispered plea was like a drug, fueling my desire for her. I wanted to hear more, to make her scream my name until she was hoarse.

I could feel her growing wetter, her movements becoming more urgent as she rocked her hips against me. I slid my hand between us, teasing her clit with my thumb as I continued to worship her breasts. She cried out, her body trembling with pleasure.

I reveled in the feeling of her moving slowly up and down my shaft, teasing me with every stroke. It was torture and ecstasy all at once, and I knew I wouldn't be able to hold out much longer. But I didn't want this to end. I wanted to stay here forever, lost in the sensation of her body against mine.

The moment we both reached that peak, our eyes locked together, and everything else faded away. The world dissolved into a blur of sensations—my heartbeat thundered in my ears, drowning out all sound but the soft gasps that escaped her lips. Her gaze held mine with an intensity that was almost unbearable, grounding me as waves of pleasure washed over us.

Somehow, the intimacy of her stare amplified every sensation, making my orgasm hit harder than anything I had ever experienced. It was raw and primal, a release of pent-up tension I hadn't even realized was building. I felt myself unraveling in her presence, a part of me giving in to the wild abandon of our shared moment.

When we finally collapsed against each other, bodies tangled and breaths mingling, my heart raced as if it had never known this kind of speed before. I could feel her warmth enveloping me—every inch of her skin pressed against mine, as if we were two halves of a whole. My fingers intertwined with hers, feeling the softness and strength in each touch.

This was what it felt like to belong to someone. It wasn’t just the physical connection; it was deeper than that. It was an understanding that transcended words, a promise whispered in the silence between us. In that moment, I knew—I wasn’t alone anymore. She was here with me, and somehow, she made everything feel right.

I breathed in her scent—a mixture of rain-soaked skin and something uniquely Holly—and it filled my lungs like a lifeline. It grounded me further into this reality we’d created together. Every heartbeat pulsed with an energy that felt entirely new—a sense of wholeness I hadn’t thought possible.

Holly traced slow circles on my chest, her fingers moving in a gentle rhythm that grounded me in the moment. Her breathing was soft and even, a soothing balm to the chaos still swirling in my mind. I watched her, entranced, my heart hammering in my chest as I absorbed the reality of what had just happened between us.

She shifted slightly, tilting her head up to meet my gaze. Those warm eyes held a depth that made everything else fade away. “You okay?” she asked, concern lacing her voice.

I exhaled slowly, dragging a hand down my face as if trying to wipe away the remnants of doubt and fear. For once, I didn’t know how to lie.

“Yeah.”

Her smile was genuine, brightening the space. She pressed a soft kiss to my jaw, the simple act sending sparks through me.

“Good. Because I’m not leaving.”

Her words struck me like a thunderclap. My chest tightened at the weight of what she said—her declaration hung between us like a promise. She said it so simply, like it was already decided. Like she’d already made her choice.

And maybe, for the first time in my life, I could let myself believe it.

I flexed my hands over her hips, feeling the warmth of her skin beneath my palms. Everything felt different now—her presence next to me was both comforting and terrifying. There was an openness between us that hadn’t existed before—a vulnerability that made it impossible for me to retreat into the darkness I had always known.

“I don’t want you to regret this,” I admitted, barely above a whisper.

Holly tilted her head slightly as if weighing my words. “I won’t,” she promised with unwavering certainty. "I don't."

Her confidence wrapped around me like a lifeline; it felt intoxicating yet fragile. A part of me wanted to reach out and pull her closer—to lose myself in her completely—but another part hesitated at the thought of what might happen next.

“What if…”

The words caught in my throat as I fought against the urge to push her away for fear of breaking this newfound connection between us. But looking into her eyes, I saw something that anchored me—something real and true that made me believe maybe this time could be different.

Maybe I didn’t have to hide anymore.

"No what if's," she murmured before pulling me into another kiss. And this time, I drowned my thoughts and focused on the only thing that mattered: Holly.