In the middle of the peaceful night, Maya stirred in the darkness, her eyes fluttering open to the steady warmth of Damien’s chest beneath her hand. His heartbeat, calm and sure, seemed to echo through her, grounding her—but there was something different tonight. Her skin tingled, her body hummed with a memory she couldn’t shake, and her throat felt unexpectedly dry.
Gently, almost reverently, she slid her hand away and eased out of the bed, careful not to disturb him. Bare feet met the cool floor as she tiptoed toward the walk-in closet, her movements slow, almost hesitant. Her fingers fumbled until she found the first thing she could reach—a long-sleeved dress shirt. She slipped it on, the soft cotton falling loosely around her, the scent of him faintly clinging to the fabric.
Quiet as
