He held her tighter for a moment longer, feeling her body tremble softly against his. Then Damien gently pulled back just enough to look into her shining, tear-streaked eyes.
“Let’s talk, okay?” he said softly, his voice rough with everything he wasn’t saying—but desperately wanted her to hear.
Maya swallowed hard, biting her lip as if summoning courage from somewhere deep inside. Then she nodded, slow and steady.
“But before that…” he said quietly.
He cupped her face in his hands, thumbs brushing over her cheeks. Then he kissed her—soft, smooth, deep, and full of longing. The kind of kiss that spoke of all the seconds he’d missed her.
“I missed you… so much,” he whispered against her lips.
Maya’s cheeks flushed a delicate pink. Her breath hitched, heart pounding. She smiled shyly, e
