Morning light streamed in through the wide glass windows, spilling across the sheets in soft golden waves. Maya stirred, blinking against the brightness, and found herself wrapped in Damien’s arms. His chest rose and fell beneath her cheek, steady and unyielding, like a heartbeat she could anchor herself to.
For a moment, she didn’t move. She simply let herself exist in the cocoon of his warmth, the rhythm of his breathing grounding her. Safe. Wanted. Chosen.
Her fingers drifted over his bare skin, tracing the lines of muscle, the faint scars etched into him-marks of battles she’d never witnessed, reminders of a life lived in shadows. She thought of her own scars-those carved by hardship, by survival, by pain she had carried alone and hidden for so long… and yet, he had looked at them as though they were part of
what made her beautiful.
Damien stirred then, his voice low and husky from sleep. “You’re staring, love.”
She flushed, biting her lip. “Maybe I like what I see.”
His eyes cracked open, sharp even half-awake, though softened now in the quiet morning. A slow, sinful smile curved his lips. “Careful. If you keep looking at me like that, we’ll never get
out of bed.”
Her laugh bubbled out before she could stop it, light and free. “You’re insatiable.”
“And you,” he murmured, rolling so she was pinned beneath him, his weight pressing her into the mattress, “are mine.” His mouth brushed her jaw, her throat, trailing heat that made her toes curl. But just as quickly, he pulled back, his expression shifting-gentler, almost reverent. “Maya… thank you. For trusting me.”
Her chest tightened, emotion swelling. “You don’t have to thank me.”
“I do,” he said firmly, brushing his thumb across her bottom lip. “Because you could’ve run. You could’ve let fear win. But you didn’t.” His gaze held hers, unflinching. “And I swear to you, I’ll prove every day that you’re safe with me. That you belong here-beside me.”
Something hot pricked at her eyes, but she blinked it away, managing a shaky smile. “You already have.”
He kissed her then-slow, claiming, tender in a way that unraveled her more than any fierce passion ever could.
The world outside might have been ruthless, unforgiving, but here, in this moment, with him…
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Maya felt untouchable.
Still, as the morning stretched on and Damien eventually pulled away to take a call, a faint unease flickered at the back of her mind. His words had wrapped her in warmth, but deep down, she couldn’t shake the fear that this fragile peace-their peace-was something the world would try to shatter.
And she knew… it wouldn’t be long before it did.
They had planned to leave by sundown yesterday, but the quiet had been too tempting, the isolation too rare. One more night had felt like stealing time from the world, slipping into a cocoon where only they existed-between lazy naps, movies half-watched, meals shared, and bodies tangled again and again in heated release. It was indulgent, intoxicating, dangerously easy to forget reality when wrapped in his arms.
But reality had a way of finding her.
The sharp trill of her phone broke through the haze, vibrating against the nightstand. Maya reached for it, the screen flashing Harper. She answered with a smile, only for it to falter when her friend’s face appeared, eyes wide with a mix of irritation and unease.
“Finally! Do you even check your phone anymore?” Harper hissed, pushing her hair back. Behind her, the dim background revealed the resort lounge, but emptier now. “Everyone’s already left, Maya. It’s just me here-with Ashcroft, James, and Lee. Outnumbered three to one. Do you have any idea how awkward this is?”
Maya blinked, guilt pricking her chest. “They all… left? Already?”
“Yes!” Harper threw up her hands. “And you-what, decided to hole up in paradise for another night without telling me? I swear, you better come back before I murder someone. Or worse- before they try to corner me with their brooding and testosterone.”
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.