The house had fallen into a fragile stillness. Leo slept soundly on the couch, tucked under a soft blanket that Damien had insisted on fetching himself. The gentle hum of the heater filled the room with warmth, contrasting sharply against the damp chill outside. For a brief moment, it felt as if the world had stopped entirely, leaving only the two of us, alone in the dimly lit bedroom.
I lay on the bed, heart still pounding from the intensity of our earlier encounter in the living room. My body burned in places I couldn't even name, the memory of his presence the heat, the closeness, the unspoken promise leaving me restless and trembling. I tried to calm myself, telling myself I was safe, that this was only a temporary shelter from the chaos outside.
But the moment Damien entered the room, all my self-control evaporated.
He moved quietly, deliberately, as though even his shadow might break the fragile peace. His gaze swept over me, dark, piercing, filled with a hunger I couldn't ignore. And yet, it wasn't just desire; it was protection, dominance, an unspoken claim that both terrified and thrilled me.
"Lia," he murmured, his voice low, rough, almost a growl. It sent shivers down my spine. "I need you to stay still. Just… stay. I'll take care of everything."
I swallowed hard, my chest tightening. "Damien… I…"
He silenced me with a gentle lift of his hand, his thumb brushing my lips. "No words. Not now. Just trust me."
And as always, I did. I trusted him completely, even as my body ached with the desire I could no longer deny.
He knelt beside the bed, the heat of him radiating against my skin, his eyes never leaving mine. Every motion was deliberate, measured, as if he were savoring the moment, claiming it without words. He reached for my hand, holding it lightly, then pressed it against his chest. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat sent a thrill through me, grounding me even as it ignited a desperate longing.
"You feel that?" he asked softly. "That's me. All of me. For you. Right now, it's only you and me. No one else matters. Not tonight."
I nodded, my voice caught in my throat. My hands trembled as I rested them on his chest, feeling the strength beneath the fabric of his shirt, the undeniable power that radiated from him. Every inch of him screamed dominance, yet there was tenderness in the way he looked at me, as if I were fragile, precious, a treasure he would guard with his life.
Slowly, impossibly slowly, he leaned closer. I could feel the heat of his breath against my cheek, the magnetic pull drawing me toward him despite my own hesitation. My pulse raced, each beat echoing in my ears, warning me, urging me, demanding I surrender to the moment.
"Don't run," he whispered, his lips barely brushing mine. "Not from me. Not now. Not ever."
I didn't. I couldn't. Instead, I tilted my head, closing my eyes, letting the tension between us coil tighter, tighter, until it was almost unbearable. He pressed closer, the weight of his body comforting and overwhelming all at once, and I felt the slow burn of desire ignite fully in my veins.
His hands moved next, sliding along my sides, tracing the curve of my body with a careful, deliberate touch that left me shivering. Every contact was electric, every brush of his fingers against my skin a promise and a warning. I bit my lip, stifling a gasp as he leaned even closer, the warmth of his body against mine impossible to ignore.
"You're mine," he murmured against my ear, his lips grazing my skin, sending a wave of heat through me. "And I don't share what's mine. Not with anyone. Not now. Not ever."
I trembled, pressed against him, wanting to argue, to deny, to fight, but my body betrayed me. I wanted him too, more than I had ever wanted anyone. The intensity of the Alpha energy radiating from him was suffocating and addictive, and I found myself melting against him, letting the desire consume me.
He shifted slightly, his body pressing more firmly against mine, and I felt the undeniable weight of him, the raw power and protection that surrounded me. It was as if every nerve in my body was on fire, every sense heightened, and yet I felt safe, secure, claimed in a way I had never experienced before.
"Lia," he whispered, his voice low and commanding. "Look at me."
I opened my eyes slowly, meeting his gaze. The dark intensity in his eyes made me shiver, and I realized how much I craved him not just his body, but his presence, his protection, his dominance.
"You don't have to be afraid," he continued, his hand cupping my cheek gently. "I'll take care of you. Every part of you. Your fear, your desire… everything. I've waited too long for this. Too long to have you. And I won't let go again."
The sincerity in his voice, combined with the heat of his body pressed against mine, made me weak in the knees. I wanted him, all of him, and I knew he could feel it, could sense the need and desire radiating from me like a flame he could not ignore.
His lips met mine then, slowly at first, testing, measuring, claiming. I responded instinctively, leaning into the kiss, letting the tension and longing between us explode in a shiver of heat and emotion. His hand moved to my waist, pulling me closer, deepening the kiss, and I felt the world narrow down to the two of us, the room, the quiet night around us.
The kiss was intense, demanding, filled with a slow-burn passion that left me trembling. Every touch, every movement, every glance was charged with a need that had been building for weeks, months, a desire neither of us could ignore any longer.
He broke the kiss briefly, resting his forehead against mine, breathing heavily. "You have no idea what you do to me," he murmured, his voice rough with emotion. "No idea. And I'm not holding back anymore. Not tonight."
I shivered, pressing against him, feeling the undeniable heat, the Alpha dominance, the protection, and the desire all at once. "I… I don't want you to hold back," I admitted, voice trembling. "I… I want you. All of you."
His lips curved into a small, dark smile. "Good," he whispered. "Because you're mine. All of you. And tonight, I claim you fully."
And then he kissed me again, harder this time, deeper, claiming me in a way that left me gasping, trembling, lost in the intensity of the moment. Every inch of me burned with desire, every nerve alive, and I realized I had never wanted anyone like this before, never needed anyone like this before.
As he pulled me closer, pressing his body against mine, I felt a thrill of something deeper than desire protection, possession, intimacy, and trust. In his arms, I was safe. With him, I was complete. And for the first time in my life, I didn't want to run.