Page 29

Chapter 29

Holly

I woke up to warmth. To strong arms wrapped around me, pulling me closer. The familiar scent of Damien enveloped me like a cocoon, grounding and electric all at once.

He was still here. Still mine.

As I shifted slightly, feeling the heat radiating from his body, a surge of contentment washed over me. But before I could fully register it, Damien moved—his grip tightening as he flipped me onto my stomach, pinning me beneath him with an ease that sent a thrill through my veins.

His body pressed against my back, heavy and warm. I could feel every solid inch of him against me, his presence both comforting and overwhelming. My heart raced as I breathed in the mix of his scent and the morning air.

His lips brushed lightly over my ear, sending shivers down my spine.

“Morning, little lamb,” he murmured, his breath hot against my skin.

A smile crept onto my face despite the chaos that had swirled around us just days before. The way he spoke to me always made it feel like we were the only two people in the world. My heart fluttered at the intimacy of the moment—the way he claimed me without even trying.

But then a sliver of doubt pierced through my blissful haze. Could this really last? Would I wake up one day to find him gone again?

I shook off the thought, focusing on the present—the warmth of his body against mine, the way he made me feel safe and alive. For now, this was enough.

I squirmed beneath him playfully, wanting to feel more of that intoxicating connection we shared. “What are you going to do about it?”

His laugh rumbled through his chest and vibrated against my back like a low hum of electricity.

A shiver ran through me. He was different this morning. Not gentle. Not hesitant. This was possession. This was need.

I gasped as he gripped my hips, dragging his lips down my spine. The sensation shot through me like lightning, electrifying every nerve ending in its path. Each kiss felt like a claim—a reminder of what we had just shared, of the boundaries we were both willing to blur.

Every movement was raw, demanding. It was as if he needed to remind himself that I was real, that I was his.

My fingers clutched the sheets beneath me, my breath coming in sharp gasps as his mouth explored the sensitive skin of my back. A heat pooled low in my stomach, swirling with desire and something deeper—something that felt like belonging.

“Damien—” I breathed out, unable to contain the need creeping into my voice.

He growled against my skin, nipping at my shoulder with a possessive urgency that made me shudder. “Say it.”

My body arched against him, desperate for more of his touch, more of this moment where everything else faded away. “I’m yours,” I gasped, the words tumbling from my lips without hesitation.

In response, he rewarded me with everything—his hands sliding over my body with a fierceness that sent waves of pleasure coursing through me. I felt utterly consumed by him, lost in the heat and intensity radiating between us.

Damien’s fingers dug into my hips as he pressed closer, every part of him fitting against me perfectly. There was no space left for doubt or fear; there was only the urgency of now—the knowledge that we were tangled together in a way that felt unbreakable.

He thrust into me, causing me to moan. My body arched against him, desperate for more of his touch, more of this moment where everything else faded away. Damien's fingers dug into my hips as he pressed closer, every part of him fitting against me perfectly.

His movements were raw and demanding, each thrust sending waves of pleasure coursing through me. I felt utterly consumed by him, lost in the heat and intensity radiating between us.

"You're mine," he growled against my ear, his voice low and possessive. "Say it."

I gasped as he slammed into me again, my fingers clutching the sheets beneath me. "I'm yours," I breathed out, the words tumbling from my lips without hesitation.

He rewarded me with a sharp bite on my shoulder; the sting sending a jolt of electricity through my body. "You'll always be mine," he continued, his voice rough with desire. "You belong to me."

"Tell me you want it," he demanded, his hips pistoning into me with an urgency that left me breathless. "Beg me to fuck you."

"I want it," I moaned, my voice barely above a whisper. "I want you to fuck me, please."

He growled in response, his movements becoming more frantic as he drove into me harder and faster. I could feel myself teetering on the edge of release, my body trembling beneath him.

"Come for me," he commanded, his fingers digging into my hips as he slammed into me one last time. "Come for me, little lamb."

And with that, I shattered around him, my body convulsing as wave after wave of pleasure washed over me. Damien followed soon after, his own release sending him crashing into me with a final, possessive thrust.

Damien rolled off of me, pulling me into his arms as he whispered softly into my ear. "You're mine, little lamb. And I'm never letting you go."

I stepped into the kitchen, still tingling from the aftermath of what had just transpired. Every movement reminded me of how sore I was, but there was a glow about me—one that felt radiant and alive.

Cooper and Everly were already there, their laughter spilling over like the warm coffee steaming in front of them. They shared a knowing smile as I walked in, my heart racing at the sudden rush of embarrassment.

Damien stood behind me, his palm resting possessively on my hip. The warmth radiating from his touch sent shivers down my spine.

Cooper raised an eyebrow from his seat at the counter, coffee mug in hand. “You two look… well-rested.”

I felt my cheeks flush hot, a rush of heat spreading across my skin. I could practically hear Damien’s smirk behind me, confident and teasing.

“We slept fine,” he replied smoothly.

Liar. I wanted to retort but instead settled for a nervous laugh that escaped before I could catch it.

Everly took a sip of her coffee, pretending to be uninterested but failing miserably. “Uh-huh. So what’s on the agenda today? More punching? More brooding?”

Cooper exhaled dramatically, shaking his head as he leaned back against the counter. “I was actually enjoying the silence, Ev.”

I shot a quick glance back at Damien, who chuckled softly at Cooper’s remark. There was something undeniably magnetic about him right now—the way he held himself with that blend of confidence and casual dominance made my stomach flutter.

Everly rolled her eyes playfully. “Well, someone has to keep you both entertained.” She turned to me with a sly smile. “So what are we doing today? You’re not going to let him drag you back into brooding again, are you?”

“Just hanging out,” I replied cautiously, trying to sound casual despite the whirlwind brewing inside me.

I watched Damien carefully as he leaned against the kitchen counter, a cup of coffee in his hand. The sunlight streamed through the window, casting a warm glow around him, and for a moment, he looked lighter. Relaxed, even.

It was strange to see him like this—his usual tension replaced with something almost carefree. He laughed easily with Cooper and Everly, the sound rich and full, filling the room with warmth. I couldn't help but let myself imagine a future where this was our reality. A world where it wasn’t just stolen moments between chaos but something normal.

A future where we could be happy.

But as soon as that thought crossed my mind, I felt a flutter of uncertainty settle in my stomach. Could we really achieve that? Could I trust that this peace would last?

Damien caught me staring and smirked, those familiar stormy eyes glinting with mischief. “What are you thinking about, little lamb?” His voice dropped low, playful yet challenging.

I just smiled back at him, unable to shake off the warmth blooming in my chest. “Nothing.”

Everything.

My heart raced at the weight of the word that hung unspoken between us—the possibility of more than just turmoil and passion. I wanted to tell him how I felt but feared what might happen if I did. The thought both thrilled and terrified me.

He stepped closer, his gaze unwavering as if trying to peel back my layers and see inside my mind. “Really? You look like you’re planning something.”

I shook my head lightly, attempting to maintain some semblance of composure despite the rush of emotions swirling within me. “Just thinking about how nice it is here.”

His expression softened slightly, that playful edge still dancing in his eyes but tempered by something deeper—a hint of vulnerability that made my heart ache for him.

“Nice,” he repeated thoughtfully. “Yeah, I could get used to this.”

For a fleeting moment, everything felt right.

My phone rang, the shrill tone cutting through the warmth of the moment like a cold gust of wind. I glanced down, and my heart sank as my father’s name flashed across the screen. Just like that, the fragile bubble we had created burst.

I swallowed hard, trying to steady my breath before answering. “Dad?”

His voice came through clipped and serious, devoid of the usual warmth I hoped for. “I need you to come in. Now.”

A tight knot formed in my stomach, dread pooling at the bottom. “What’s wrong?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Just get here,” he replied tersely. “We need to talk.”

Panic clawed at me as I disconnected the call. I felt a sense of foreboding wash over me, an ominous wave that threatened to drag me under. The lightness from earlier evaporated, leaving behind only uncertainty.

“What did he want?” Damien asked, his expression shifting from playful to suspicious in an instant.

I hesitated, not wanting to burden him with my worries but feeling his presence grounding me all the same. “I… I don’t know,” I admitted, running a hand through my hair nervously.

“What did he say?” His voice was steady, anchoring against the storm brewing inside me.

“Just that he needs me to go home.” The weight of those words hung heavily between us, filling the space with tension. “It didn’t sound good.”

Damien watched me carefully, his eyes searching mine as I processed my father's call. “I’m coming with you,” he said firmly, and I didn’t argue. Somehow, it felt right to have him by my side.

We drove in silence, the air thick with unspoken thoughts. I glanced at him occasionally, catching glimpses of his focused expression as he navigated through the rain-slicked streets. His grip on the steering wheel was tight, knuckles white, as if he were preparing for a battle rather than just a simple trip home.

When we finally pulled up to my house, my heart raced. The familiarity of the place felt heavy with dread. As I stepped inside, Damien followed closely behind me.

“Holly?” my father’s voice called from somewhere in the house.

“In here,” I replied, trying to sound steady despite the fluttering anxiety in my stomach.

I heard Damien’s footsteps behind me as we headed down the hall. He moved with an intensity that made it clear he was ready for whatever might come next. My heart pounded louder as we approached my father's study.

When we stepped into the room, my father looked up from his desk, his eyes narrowing at the sight of Damien standing beside me. The tension escalated instantly; it was palpable enough to cut through the air like a knife. But he didn’t say anything—just stared at us both with an unreadable expression.

“Sit down,” he commanded without preamble, gesturing toward a pair of chairs across from him. My pulse quickened as we both took a seat in front of his desk.

I could feel Damien's presence beside me like a shield against whatever storm my father was about to unleash. My stomach twisted in knots as I prepared for what was to come—another confrontation, another chance for my world to tilt on its axis yet again.

“Let’s talk,” my father said slowly, his voice steady but low enough that I could tell this wasn’t going to be an easy conversation.

“Damien’s parents filed a complaint against you, Holly.”

His words struck me like a punch to the gut. I felt Damien stiffen beside me; the tension radiating off him like heat from a fire. I blinked, confusion slamming into me.

“What?” I managed to choke out, disbelief coursing through my veins.

My father sighed, rubbing his temple as if the very thought of what he was about to say pained him. “They’re claiming you attacked his mother. That you were… enraged with jealousy.”

Disgust washed over me in waves, my stomach turning at the accusation. “That’s a lie.” The words escaped my lips with a fervor I couldn’t contain.

His mouth tightened into a thin line, eyes narrowing slightly as he tried to assess my reaction. “They’re saying you want Damien’s father.”

The room dropped into silence, and I could feel the air grow heavy with the weight of his words. My heart raced in my chest, pounding against my ribcage like it wanted to escape. “That’s ridiculous,” I snapped, anger bubbling just beneath the surface. “I’ve never wanted anything from them!”

My father remained stoic, clearly unfazed by my outrage. He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms as if bracing for a fight. “The Sinclaires have influence, Holly,” he said slowly, choosing his words with caution. “You need to understand how serious this is.”

I glanced at Damien out of the corner of my eye, searching for any sign of support or reassurance from him. But he remained silent, his jaw clenched tight as he stared ahead—lost in whatever turmoil brewed within him.

“How could they even think that?” I pressed on, desperation creeping into my voice. “What happened back there was between us—it had nothing to do with them!”

“They’re trying to protect their reputation,” my father replied sharply. “And they see you as a threat.”

A chill ran down my spine at that thought; it made everything feel even more twisted than before. My mind raced with all the possibilities: What would this mean for Damien? For us? Would they really try to tear us apart over some fabricated story?

I took a deep breath, determination flooding through me despite the weight of their claims hanging over our heads like a storm cloud ready to burst. I wouldn’t let them win without a fight.

Then Damien moved.

Fast. Sharp. Violent.

His hands slammed against my father's desk, the force of it making me jump. His voice shook with rage, a tempest I had never seen directed toward anyone but himself.

“They fucking what ? Look at her fucking face! I saw it happen. My mother hit her first!”

The room fell silent, the weight of his words hanging in the air like an accusation too heavy to ignore. My heart raced as I watched the scene unfold, torn between the shock of his anger and the concern swirling in my chest.

My father sighed deeply, his expression barely masking his irritation as he glanced at Damien. “I know it’s a lie, Damien. But they’re trying to ruin Holly’s reputation.”

Damien's breathing grew heavy, nostrils flaring as if he could hardly contain the storm inside him. His jaw clenched so tightly I thought it might crack under the pressure. The intensity radiating off him sent a thrill of fear and awe through me; I knew he was fierce when provoked, but this felt different—this was primal.

Because this wasn’t just a rumor; it was personal.

This was his mother trying to destroy the only thing good in his life.

I could see how deeply this affected him—how every protective instinct he had surged to the surface like a tidal wave ready to crash down on anyone who dared threaten me. My chest tightened at that realization; for all our tumultuous history, for all our fights and distance, here we were facing something together that made us both vulnerable.

“Damien,” I finally said, my voice shaky as I tried to reach him through his fury. “It’s okay.”

But he shook his head sharply, cutting me off with a look that promised no retreat from this battle.

“No! It’s not okay! They’re not going to get away with this.” He turned back to my father, eyes blazing with conviction. “I won’t let them hurt her again.”

Every ounce of anger within him felt like a shield around me—a protection from whatever storm was brewing outside these walls. And yet part of me felt raw and exposed under the intensity of his gaze, knowing that this fight was just beginning and we were both caught in its grip.

I took another deep breath and braced myself for what would come next. My heart raced as I glanced between my father and Damien, both men radiating tension like charged wires ready to snap.

“What about Damien playing?” I finally asked, trying to keep my voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions churning inside me.

My father watched me carefully, his expression unreadable. “I can fight this. But if I do, Damien might be benched indefinitely.”

Damien’s hands tightened into fists at his sides, knuckles white. “I don’t give a fuck about playing,” he shot back, the anger in his voice crackling like electricity in the air.

My father exhaled sharply, shaking his head slightly. “Then you’re a fool.”

The two men glared at each other—Damien’s fury met my father’s stoicism. I felt the weight of the moment pressing down on me; it was clear this argument wasn’t just about hockey or petty revenge. This was about Damien’s future.

My father folded his arms across his chest, voice steady but unyielding. “There’s one way to make this go away quietly.”

I braced myself, a knot tightening in my stomach as I prepared for what he was going to say next. I could already sense it looming over us like a storm cloud ready to unleash its fury.

My father met Damien’s gaze directly. “I’m removing Holly from the committee.”

The words hung in the air like an executioner's sentence.

“That way, the board sees this as an overreaction and drops the complaint.”

Damien stiffened at my side, his entire body going rigid with disbelief and anger. “No,” he growled through clenched teeth.

I gripped his arm gently, my heart racing even faster as I tried to keep my tone soft. “It’s the right call, Damien.”

His head snapped toward me, eyes blazing with indignation. His jaw tightened further as if trying to contain the storm brewing within him. “Bullshit.”

I swallowed hard, the lump in my throat making it difficult to speak. I didn’t want this. I didn’t want to be the reason for any of Damien’s pain, but I needed him to have a future. His talent deserved recognition, and his potential should never be dimmed by my presence—or my father’s expectations.

“It doesn’t change anything between us,” I said, forcing the words out even as they felt heavy on my tongue.

His voice came out sharp, raw. “Doesn’t it?”

I exhaled slowly, feeling the weight of his gaze on me. “Not for me.”

Damien looked away, his throat working as he tried to swallow back whatever emotions churned inside him. Fury radiated off him in waves, but deeper than that—he was hurt. The realization cut through me like a knife, twisting in a way that made me ache for him.

I squeezed his hand gently, trying to bridge the gap between us. “This is temporary. But your future isn’t.”

He didn’t argue; instead, his eyes darkened with something deeper—a mix of frustration and understanding that only made this moment heavier. He knew I was right; he had to know it deep down.

But that acknowledgment only seemed to add to the storm brewing behind those stormy blue eyes of his.

The silence stretched between us, thick and suffocating. My heart raced as I waited for him to respond, wishing I could take back everything—the words we’d exchanged, the choices we had made that led us here.

“Do you really think this is going to work?” he finally asked, voice low but edged with defiance.

“I don’t know,” I admitted quietly. “But if there’s a chance…”

His jaw clenched tighter at my words as if they were an unspoken challenge. The tension simmered just beneath the surface—a fragile line we both stood on, teetering dangerously close to breaking.

And yet despite everything, I couldn’t help but cling to the hope that maybe we could still find a way forward together.

But right now? Right now felt impossibly heavy with all we had lost and everything still left unsaid.