Chapter 6. The Edge of Control

Damien’s hand lingered on mine for a fraction too long, his thumb tracing circles against my wrist as if testing the limits of my self control. His touch burned, igniting a warmth in my veins I didn't want to admit.

I pulled my hand back slowly, trying to ignore the way his eyes followed the movement.

“Why do I get the feeling you always get what you want?”, I asked in a light tone.

Damien leaned back in his chair, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. “Because I do”.

There was no arrogance in his tone–just simple unshakeable confidence.

“And what happens when someone tells you no?”

His gaze darkened, the playful giant in his eyes replaced by something far more intense.

“They don't.”

The words hung in the air between us, heavy with meaning.

I swallowed hard, my heart pounding against my ribs.

You're in over your head, Ava.

I knew it the second I met him, and yet I couldn't stop myself from being drawn to the danger he exuded like gravity.

The ride back to my apartment was quiet, the air between us thick with tension.

Damien didn't try to fill the silence, and I didn't dare break it.

But when the car pulled in front of my building I hesitated, my fingers tightening around the strap of my purse.

“Thanks for dinner,” I said softly, reaching for the door handle.

His hand shot out, catching my wrist before I could leave.

“Wait.”

The single word was enough to freeze me in place, my breath catching as I turned to face him.

His eyes bore into mine, unreadable but unmistakeably hungry. “I’m not good at this,” he admitted.

“At what?”

“Letting go.”

My pulse quickened, a mix of fear and excitement coiling low in my stomach.

“You don't have to,” I whispered, the words leaving my mouth before I could stop them.

His grip on my wrist tightened, and in the next moment, his lips were on mine.

The kiss wasn't soft. It was rough and demanding, his hand slipping to the back of my neck as he pulled me closer to him.

I melted in his arms, my fingers tangling in his hair as I surrendered to the fire that had been building between us since the moment we met.

By the time we broke apart, I was breathless, my skin tingling from the intensity of his touch.

“Come upstairs,” I said, before I could second guess myself.

His eyes darkened, his hands sliding down my thighs.

“Are you sure?”

I nodded, not trusting my voice.

“Words, Ava.”

“Yes.”

—

The moment we stepped inside my apartment, Damien pounced on me. 

His hands found my hips, pushing me back against the door as his mouth claimed mine with a ferocity that left me dizzy.

I moaned softly, my fingers clutching his shirt as he pressed me harder against the door, his body a solid wall of heat and power.

“You drive me insane,” he growled, his lips trailing down my neck, leaving a trail of fire in their wake.

I arched against him, gasping as his teeth grazed the sensitive skin just below my ear.

“Damien,” I whispered, my voice trembling with need.

He pulled back just enough to look at me, his eyes blazing with a mix of desire and restraint.

“Tell me what you want, Ava.”

A blush crept through my face, but I didn't hesitate. “You.”

That single word was all he needed.

In one swift motion, he lifted me and carried me towards the bedroom. I clung to him, my heart racing as the world blurred around us.

—

The bedroom was simply lit, the soft glow from the bedside lamp casting long shadows across the wall.

Damien set me down gently, his hands not leaving my body as he stepped back just enough to look at me.

“You're beautiful,” he murmured, his voice rough with sincerity.

My breath hitched as he reached for the zipper of my dress, his fingers grazing my skin as he slid it slowly, deliberately.

The fabric pooled at my feet, leaving me exposed beneath his heated gaze.

“Perfect,” he whispered, his hands tracing the curves of my body as if commiting every inch of me to memory.

I shivered under his touch, my skin hypersensitive to the roughness of his fingers.

He kissed me, his lips moving against mine with a mix of urgency and reverence that left me breathless.

His hands roamed freely, exploring every sip and curve of my body as he guided me backwards towards the bed.

When my knees hit the edge, he pushed me down gently, his weight pressing into me as he hovered above.

“You're mine,” he growled, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down my spine.

I nodded, too lost in the heat of the moment to argue.

“Yes, I'm yours,” I whispered.

Damien mouth found mine again, and for the rest of the night, there was no room for doubt, no space for hesitation.

There was only him.