Chapter 79: Wine, Dine, and ‘You’re Mine-1
They parted to freshen up in their respective rooms-Maya sent a quick text to Harper, while Damien phoned Ashcroft.
He’d spent most of the afternoon holed up in his suite, fielding call after call, quietly setting their next moves in motion.
They had to be more careful now. With Orion’s shady involvement-and Ethan Miller’s all-too-convenient appearance-they couldn’t afford to trust what they saw.
Better to keep Ashcroft in the shadows, and Damien visible, calm, unbothered. Better than Damien vanishing… or worse-both of them disappearing.
Just before 7 PM, Harper knocked on Maya’s door-dressed in matching silk pajamas, a little more glammed up than usual, but still unmistakably Harper: bright, reliable, and always ready to hype her up.
“You ready?” she grinned. “Let’s go flirt with danger… and dinner.”
Maya gave her a look. “Harper-”
Harper raised her hands in mock innocence. “Relax, I meant you with your Damien. And me… with the dinner. Unless Mr. Ashcroft’s bringing someone.”
Maya just rolled her eyes and followed her out. Her heart felt light, looking forward to a night filled with good food-and even better company.
They reached Damien’s suite just as the sky outside deepened to navy, the last streaks of dusk fading behind the silhouette of palm trees. The door opened before they even knocked.
James stood there and offered a polite smile. “Good evening, Ms. Maya. Ms. Lin. Please, come in.” He stepped aside, holding the door open for them with quiet efficiency.
Maya stepped in first, heartbeat stuttering. His room was softly lit, the scent of rosemary and grilled citrus wafting from the dining area.
Damien stood in full view in the living room with Ashcroft, holding a glass of amber liquid. Dressed down in a black linen shirt, the sleeves casually rolled up and two buttons undone, he looked effortlessly lethal-like danger that had no need to announce itself.
The moment his eyes landed on Maya, he set his glass down and crossed the room in a few long, sure strides.
He stopped in front of her and leaned in, pressing a kiss to her cheek.
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* Chapter 79 Wine, Dine, and “You’re Mine-|
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“You made it,” he murmured, his voice low and warm, like a secret meant only for her. “And somehow, you look even more beautiful than I remembered.”
A soft flush crept up Maya’s neck, warmth spreading across her cheeks. Her skin tingled where his lips had touched.
“I could say the same about you,” she whispered back, eyes soft but teasing.
Then she looked past him-and her lips parted slightly.
A table had been set for four, its base adorned with tulips and lavender-her favorites. Maya’s mind flickered back to lunch, to Ethan’s offhand comment about her dream wedding… and to the way Damien had answered, his voice low and certain:
“Whatever Maya once imagined, I’ll make reality look better. If she wants lavender and tulips, I’ll plant her a kingdom of them.”
She smiled softly at the memory. A bottle of wine breathed gently near the center, its glass catching the warm, golden light that bathed the room, making everything feel deliberately intimate and quietly perfect.
“You didn’t have to go this far,” Maya murmured, taking in the setup.
“Yes, I did,” Damien said simply, his gaze steady. “It’s not every night I get to set the table for my girlfriend.”
Harper arched a brow. “Wait-officially? Like… with a title? Sealed, signed, delivered?”
Maya’s cheeks warmed. Damien slipped an arm around her shoulders and gently pulled her in, his touch both grounding and possessive. She shyly nodded, glancing at everyone in the
room.
“It… happened,” she said softly.
Harper beamed. “Finally.” She pulled Maya in for a tight, genuine hug. “I’m really happy for you, Maya. It’s about time you let yourself feel love-and be loved. You deserve it.”
Before Maya could respond, Ashcroft stepped forward, his signature smirk already in place. He raised his glass toward Damien.
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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.