The morning after that intense night felt quieter than usual. I woke up with Damien’s arm still wrapped around me, his breath warm against the back of my neck. My wrists and thighs carried faint reminders of the silk ties and his grip, but the ache felt comforting rather than overwhelming. Still, my chest was heavy. The guilt from hiding Marcus’s appearances and now the way Damien had scolded me for keeping Lila’s messages from him sat like a stone I couldn’t swallow.
I turned slowly in his arms so I could face him. His eyes were already open, watching me with that careful, searching look he’d been giving me more often lately.
“Morning,” I whispered.
“Morning.” He brushed a strand of hair from my face. “You didn’t sleep much, did you?”
I shook my head. “Not really.”
He pulled me close
