Chapter 69 A New Kind of Moming-2
Chapter 69: A New Kind of Morning-2
¡Claim
Maya stirred beneath the covers, her breath slow and steady, but the echo of last night’s kiss lingered-like a secret flame glowing quietly inside her.
Outside, the island was waking up. The distant call of seabirds, the soft rustle of palm leaves in the breeze, and the promise of a new day filled the air.
Stretching, she reached for her journal on the nightstand-a tether to the night’s truth-and smiled faintly. Whatever the day held, she knew this was just the beginning.
Downstairs, the murmur of early voices drifted up-the team gathering, ready for breakfast and the start of the shoot.
Maya slid out of bed, heart steady but hopeful, and prepared to meet the day… and whatever came next.
The morning sun leaked through the sheer drapes, warming the edge of the bed he’d fallen asleep on last night-finally-after hours of tossing and turning with Maya stuck in his head.
That kiss had ruined him.
Not in a bad way. In the kind of way that left a man aching, hard, and helpless.
She had kissed him back.
She tasted better than he’d ever imagined-sweet, a little shy, but with a quiet hunger that clung to his skin long after she slipped into her room and closed the door.
He’d taken a cold shower after that, standing under the stream with his hands braced on the tiles, trying to breathe her out of his system.
It didn’t work.
All he could think about was the curve of her lips, the feel of her in his arms, the way her breath had hitched when he kissed her deeper. He was still hard when he got out of the shower, towel slung low, mind spinning.
So yeah… he gave in.
Stroked himself slow, imagining her flushed and breathless beneath him. Once wasn’t enough. Neither was the second time. Even after he came, he was still thinking of her.
Eventually, exhaustion won. He passed out with a hand over his abs and her name stuck in his throat.
Cintres 68 A New Kind of Mormeg-2
Now, groggy and warm under the covers, he reached for his phone.
Damien: Good morning. Are you awake?
Her reply came quick.
Maya: Yes. Getting ready to head downstairs to meet the rest.
He smiled.
Damien: Did you sleep well?
Maya: I did. How about you?
Damien: It was okay. Been thinking about you… wish you were beside me.
A pause. Then-
Maya: I’ve been thinking about you too.
His pulse kicked up again.
Damien: Wait for me. Let’s have breakfast together.
Maya: Okay.
Claim
Around 7:00 a.m., a gentle knock pulled Maya from the final swipe of lip balm in the mirror.
She crossed the room, her heart already lifting.
When she opened the door, there he was-tall, slightly tousled, and freshly showered in a crisp black tee that somehow made him even more dangerous-looking.
She gave him a soft smile. “Hi.”
Damien’s lips curved, warm and knowing. “Hi. Good morning.”
“Good morning,” she echoed, voice shy but full of something that hadn’t been there days ago.
Then he stepped forward and kissed her.
It wasn’t rushed-just a soft press of lips, familiar now but still electrifying. Her hand grazed his chest, ready to lean in deeper, when-
Click.
The door across the hall swung open. Out staggered Ashcroft, in sunglasses and last night’s shirt, looking like he’d been hit by a freight train made of rum and regret.
2.4
Matter 59 A Mew Kind of Morning-2
“Oh shit!” he croaked, blinking at them. “Guess you two had your first kiss, huh? Well done, brother! I’m proud of you.”
Damien groaned. “You look like hell.”
“I feel like hell,” Ashcroft grumbled, rubbing his temples. “My head’s pounding like a fucking drumline.”
And just then-another door opened.
Harper appeared with an oversized scrunchie barely holding up her hair and a look of sheer defeat on her face. She squinted at the scene: Maya blushing, Damien with his hand still lightly on her waist, and Ashcroft in last night’s clothes.
“Oh hey!”
Maya blinked. “Harper… you look…”
“Don’t.” Harper raised a hand. “Don’t even say it. I know. I look like a drunken extra from a
pirate shipwreck. That vodka hit harder than my last breakup-and that one had therapy bills..
“1
She paused, eyes narrowing. “Wait… what did I miss?”
Ashcroft raised a finger dramatically. “They’re officially on first base. I caught ’em kissing. Right here. In the open hallway. Bold move.”
Harper’s eyes went wide, then she squealed. “Wait, shut up! Seriously?! Oh my god, finally!”
Maya buried her face in her hands, laughing into her palms. Damien just sighed, pulling her a little closer as if shielding her from the chaos.
“We were trying to have a quiet morning,” he muttered dryly.
“Key word: were,” Maya said, still giggling.
By the time they made it downstairs, the dining area was already buzzing with early risers. Ocean light spilled through the wide glass doors, casting everything in a golden glow.
Damien’s hand hovered at the small of her back as they walked in-not quite touching, but close enough that her skin tingled from the phantom heat.
Ashcroft had quickly freshened up and joined them at the buffet line, sunglasses still in place like a battle shield. Harper, on the other hand, had collapsed into the nearest chair, sunglasses askew and mumbling something about electrolytes.
Maya glanced at Damien as they grabbed their plates.
Chapter 69 & New Kind of Moring-2
“So…” she murmured, eyes flicking to his, “first base?”
He chuckled, the low sound curling down her spine. “I can’t wait for what Ashcroft calls second.”
She laughed, then looked away, cheeks warm.
They filled their plates-tropical fruit, eggs, toasted coconut bread-and made their way to the long communal table outside on the terrace.
She sat beside Damien, their knees brushing under the table. Every little contact felt amplified this morning. Charged. Real.
And yet, so natural it scared her a little.
Harper plopped into the seat across from them, groaning as she reached for her coffee.
“I swear I’ll never drink again.”
Damien raised a brow. “You said that last night.”
“You and your brilliant ideas,” Ashcroft muttered from a chair nearby, head in his hands.
Maya smiled as she peeled a slice of mango, catching Damien watching her again.
He didn’t look away this time.
Something had shifted. Last night had cracked open a new space between them-one that felt both fragile and unstoppable.
She didn’t know where it would lead.
But for now, it was enough to sit beside him in the morning sun… their secret no longer a secret, and the ghost of their first kiss still warm on her lips.
Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.