Chapter 78
Aria pov
“That’s all I’m asking.” He pulled me into his arms. His body was solid and warm. I could smell his cologne stronger now, mixed with his natural scent. “A chance, that’s all I need p>
We stood there in the middle of his living room, holding each other like lifelines. I could hear the clock ticking on the wall. The candle flickered, making shadows dance across the room.
“Stay with me tonight,” he said against my hair. His breath was warm. “Not for sex, just… stay. I don’t want to be alone. Don’t want you to be alone p>
Every logical part of my brain screamed this was a bad idea. But I was so tired of listening to logic.
“Okay,” I breathed. “But just sleeping, nothing else p>
“Just sleeping,” he agreed, but the grin on his face told a different story. “Though the last time you said ’just sleeping,’ if I remember correctly, you were the one who ended up asking for sex p>
I felt heat rise to my cheeks. “Please, can you blame a horny woman? But seriously, I mean it, no sex p>
“I agree. I have never once disputed your wishes.” His grin widened. “Your wish is my command, ma’am p>
He led me to his bedroom, the floor was cool under my feet. The room was massive and dark, lit only by moonlight coming through the tall windows. The bed could fit six people and the sheets looked expensive and soft.
“Which side?” I asked but my voice sounded small in the big room.
“Whichever you want.” He pulled back the covers as they made a rustling sound. “I’m just happy you’re here p>
I climbed in. The sheets were cool and smooth against my skin. They smelled clean, like detergent. Damien slid in beside me. The mattress dipped with his weight. He was careful to leave space between us, but I could still feel the warmth radiating from his body.
We lay there in the darkness. I could hear him breathing. Slow and steady. Outside, I could hear distant traffic sounds. The occasional car horn.
“Aria?” His voice was quiet in the dark.
“Yeah p>
“Thank you, for giving me a chance p>
“Don’t make me regret it p>
“I won’t.” His hand found mine under the covers, his fingers interlaced with mine, warm and sure. “I swear, I won’t p>
I squeezed his hand as the simple touch grounded me. Made everything feel real. This was dangerous, foolish i was opening myself up to potential heartbreak.
But maybe some things were worth the risk.
Maybe Damien Blackwood was worth the risk.
I drifted off to sleep, our hands still linked, the last thing I remembered was the warmth of his hand in mine and the sound of his breathing beside me in the dark.
I woke to sunlight and warmth. The light was soft and golden, filtering through the tall windows. It painted everything in a warm glow. But it wasn’t the light that woke me, it was the warmth.
Specifically, Damien’s warmth.
Somehow during the night, we’d gravitated together. My back was pressed against his chest. I could feel every breath he took, the rise and fall of his ribs against my spine. His arm was draped over my waist, heavy and possessive. His breath stirred my hair with each exhale, warm against the back of my neck.
It felt… right.
His body was solid behind me. Not suffocating, just there. Present. Real. I could smell him—that clean scent mixed with something woodsy from his soap. The sheets were soft against my skin, warm from our combined body heat.
I should move. Should put distance between us before this became more complicated.
But his arm tightened around me, pulling me closer. “Don’t,” he mumbled, still half-asleep. His voice was rough and deep. “Stay p>
“I should check on Noah”
“Five more minutes.” He nuzzled into my neck, his nose was cold against my warm skin. His lips brushed just below my ear. “Please p>
The please did something to my insides, it made them go soft and warm.
I couldn’t help but smile. “You’re very demanding in the morning p>
“Only with you.” His lips moved against my skin as he spoke. Then he pressed a kiss to my shoulder, soft and lingering. “Because you’re the only thing I want to wake up to p>
My heart did something complicated in my chest. A flutter. A squeeze. Something that felt dangerously like hope.
“Damien”
His hand spread flat against my stomach, over my shirt. His palm was warm through the thin fabric. “You know what I realized last night p>
“What?” My voice sounded breathless.
“This is one of the best I’ve slept in years.” He kissed behind my ear, his breath tickled. “Maybe ever p>
“That’s because your mattress costs more than a car p>
“It’s not the mattress.” Another kiss, lower on my neck. His stubble scraped lightly against my skin. “It’s you p>
I shivered. Not from cold. From the way his lips felt on my neck, the way his hand pressed against my stomach, the way his entire body curved around mine like he was trying to memorize the shape of me.
“You’re trying to seduce me,” I accused.
“Is it working?” His teeth grazed my earlobe. Just the lightest pressure.
“No p>
“Liar.” He nibbled gently. His tongue flicked out, just barely touching my skin. “Your pulse is racing p>
“That’s called panic p>
He laughed against my neck, the sound vibrated through me. “Sure it is p>
His hand slid up from my stomach, tracing the curve of my ribs. Not groping, just touching. His fingers were warm and slightly rough, they left trails of heat wherever they went.
“You’re very smug for someone who slept alone for years,” I said.
“I’m making up for lost time.” He kissed the spot where my neck met my shoulder. “Did you know you make this little noise when you’re almost asleep p>
“I do not p>
“You do. It’s like a tiny sigh.” He demonstrated, breathing out softly against my ear. “Adorable p>
“I am not adorable p>
“Right. You’re terrifying, a total ice queen.” Another kiss. His lips were soft and warm. “That’s why you’re blushing right now p>
“You can’t see my face p>
“I can feel it, your skin gets warmer.” His hand moved to my hip, thumb drawing small circles there. “And I bet if I looked, your ears would be pink p>