Chapter 25
ROSALIE
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As soon as Damien’s presence filled the room, I froze, my heart stopping mid–beat. The cool air brushed against my bare skin, reminding me just how vulnerable I was–standing in nothing but my underwear with no place to hide.
Spinning to face him, my voice was sharper than I’d expected. “What the hell are you doing? Get out!”
His eyes darkened, and instead of moving back, he muttered a low, hot, “Fuck,” under his breath, before taking a step forward.
“Don’t come any closer,” I warned, raising a shaky hand to stop him. I took a step back, only to feel the hard edge of the wardrobe behind me. My heart raced faster as I realized there was nowhere else to go.
He tilted his head, his gaze unwavering. “Relax, Rosalie,” he said, his voice low and smooth, the kind of tone that made me feel more exposed than I already was. “It’s not like I haven’t had my chance to see you before.”
Heat flooded my cheeks at the memory his words stirred. “That’s not the point,” I snapped, trying to sound firm even as my knees threatened to buckle. “Leave, or I swear I’ll call security.”
One dark brow arched, and his lips quirked into that maddening smirk of his. “Security?” he repeated mockingly, taking another step closer. “You’re going to call security in my house? That’s cute.”
“I mean it. Damien,” I shot back, my voice trembling. “Get out!”
He chuckled softly, the sound deep and almost predatory. “There she is,” he murmured, his gaze locked onto mine. “I’ve missed this your yelling, your fire. You have no idea how hard it’s been dealing with your silence. I couldn’t stand it.”
The sincerity in his tone threw me off, but I couldn’t afford to focus on that. I needed him to leave. “This isn’t funny,” I said. my voice catching slightly as I edged to the side.
Who said I was joking?” he replied, his smirk softening into something that looked far too genuine.
Heat rushed to my face, and I cursed my traitorous body as my cheeks reddened. I bit down on my bottom lip to stop trembling, but the movement only seemed to draw his attention.
the
His eyes darkened further as they zeroed in on my mouth. “You should stop doing that,” he murmured, his voice huskier now. “Because if you don’t, I can’t promise I won’t fuck you right here, right now.”
A surge of heat shot through me at his words, my stomach twisting into knots. I was torn between wanting to push him away. and… something else I couldn’t even bring myself to name.
“Damien, stop,” I said, my voice quieter now, almost pleading.
But instead of listening, he closed the remaining space between us, his arm snaking around my waist. His touch sent a jolt through me, and I pressed my hands against his chest, trying to keep some distance between us.
“Stop? In my own room?” he asked, his tone teasing as his lips hovered just above my neck. “You’ve got some nerve, Rosalie.”
Topened
my mouth to retort, but the words evaporated as his lips brushed lightly against the curve of my neck. The contact was electric, sending a wave of heat coursing through me.
“You’re impossible,” I whispered, my voice betraying me by quivering.
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Chapter 25
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“And you’re stunning.” he murmured back, his breath warm against my skin. His lips traveled lower, brushing against my collarbone as if testing my resolve.
“Damien, don’t,” I said again, my voice breaking slightly.
“Don’t what?” he asked, his tone low and teasing as he trailed a line of soft kisses along my shoulder.
I pushed harder against his chest, my fingers trembling. “Whatever you’re thinking, just… stop.”
He chuckled softly, the sound reverberating through my chest. “You’re beautiful when you’re flustered,” he said, his free hand coming up to brush a stray strand of hair from my face.
I felt trapped–not just by his arms, but by the storm of emotions swirling inside me. My anger, my confusion, my undeniable attraction to him–they all fought for control, leaving me utterly unbalanced.
When his lips hovered near my ear, I could feel the heat of his breath as he whispered. “You drive me crazy, Rosalie.”
His hand tightened slightly on my waist, pulling me just a fraction closer, and I could feel his heartbeat–steady and strong. a sharp contrast to my own erratic pulse.
“Damien,” I said one last time, my voice barely above a whisper.
He pulled back just enough to meet my gaze, his eyes burning with an intensity that made my breath hitch. Then, with a slow, deliberate movement, he stepped back completely, releasing me from his hold.
The sudden loss of contact was almost dizzying, and I clutched the wardrobe behind me to steady myself.
“I’ll stop,” he said, his voice laced with amusement, though his eyes still held that same heated intensity. “For now.”
I didn’t reply. My hands fumbled for the dress I’d picked out earlier, and I grabbed it with trembling fingers, desperate for an escape. Without sparing him another glance, I bolted for the bathroom, slamming the door shut behind me.
Leaning against the door, I let out a shaky breath, my heart still racing. I cursed myself for letting him get so close–for letting him affect me the way he did. No matter how kind or gentle he pretended to be, I couldn’t let myself forget who Damien really was.
And yet, even as I tried to steel myself, the memory of his lips on my skin lingered on me, refusing to be ignored.
As 1 emerged from the bathroom in a fresh dress, I glanced around the room for my stained one. It wasn’t on the floor where I’d left it. My brow furrowed as I scanned the space. There was no sign of the ruined dress–or Damien.
I sighed, annoyed. He must have taken it. Why would he even care about a ruined dress?
Steeling myself, I stepped out of the room and into the spacious hallway. The penthouse was eerily quiet, the kind of silence that made me feel like I was being watched. I hesitated, debating whether to search for him or wait until he showed up on his own.
Before I could decide, I turned a corner and bumped straight into him.
“Oh!” I exclaimed, stumbling back slightly.
Damien’s hands steadied me instantly, his grip firm yet careful. “Easy there,” he said, his voice soft but laced with
amusement
I looked up at him, feeling my cheeks flush. “Where’s my dress?”
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Chapter 25
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“I took care of it,” he said simply, his expression unreadable.
“You took care of it?” I repeated, narrowing my eyes. “What does that mean?”
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“It means you don’t need to worry about it anymore,” he replied, his lips curving into a small smile. “Now, I have a question for you.”
I crossed my arms, still wary. “What?”
His eyes softened as he leaned slightly closer, his tone dropping. “Will you let me take you out? Dinner, just the two of us.”
The question caught me off guard. I blinked at him, unsure of what to say.
“You want to take me out?” I asked, suspicion creeping into my voice.
“Yes,” he said, his gaze unwavering. “A proper dinner date. What do you say?”
I hesitated, my heart racing for reasons I didn’t fully understand. Then, almost on instinct, I nodded.
Damien tilted his head, a teasing smile tugging at his lips. “Words, Rosalie. I want to hear you say it.”
I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry. “Yes,” I said softly. “I’ll go.”
His smile widened, and before I could react, he took a step closer, closing the small gap between us. His hands reached up to cup my face, and before I could even think to protest, his lips were on mine.
The kiss was deep, rough, and unrelenting, as if he’d been holding himself back for far too long. His hands slid down. roaming my back and waist, pulling me impossibly closer. My hands instinctively pushed against his chest, but it was half- hearted at best.
I hated how easily my body betrayed me. Every nerve was on fire, every thought drowned out by the intensity of the moment. I told myself to stop, to
push him away, but instead, I found myself leaning into him, matching the fervor of his
kiss.
When he finally pulled back, we were both breathless. His forehead rested against mine, his hands still gripping my waist as if he wasn’t ready to let go.
“Damien.” I whispered, unsure of what I wanted to say.
He didn’t respond. Instead, he slipped his arms under me and lifted me effortlessly into his arms, carrying me bridal style toward the door.
“What are you doing?” I asked, my voice shaky as I clutched his shoulders.
“I told you,” he said, his tone calm but firm. “I’m taking you out.”
As he carried me through the penthouse, my emotions warred within me. There was a part of me–a small, vulnerable part
that wanted to sink into this moment, to let myself feel something other than anger or frustration.
But I couldn’t.
Damien wasn’t my savior, my protector, or even my friend. He was the same man who had bullied me, who had trapped me in this marriage. Whatever this was–this new kindness, this tenderness–it couldn’t last
I closed my eyes briefly, forcing myself to push away the fluttering feelings he stirred in me. I couldn’t let him in. I wouldn‘
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Chapter 25
One day. I’d be free of him. One day, this would all be a distant memory.
But as I opened my eyes and caught the faint smile on his lips, I couldn’t help the tiny voice in my head that whispered what
- if.
