LOGINThe jet descended lower and lower, and the island details became clearer.She could see the resort nestled among the palm trees. She could see the individual bungalows, each one separate and private.And she could see the private dock where their bungalow was located, the one that jutted out over the clearest water she'd ever seen."That's ours," Damien said softly, pointing. "That's where we're staying."The jet touched down on the runway, and Lyra held her breath.This was it.Paradise.Freedom.Just the two of them.***The speedboat cut through the crystal-clear water, and Lyra couldn't stop staring at the shades of blue surrounding them.She'd seen photos. She'd seen videos. But nothing...absolutely nothing...could have prepared her for the reality of it.The water was so clear she could see fish swimming beneath them. The sand was so white it almost hurt to look at. The sky was so blue it seemed almost unreal, like someone had Photoshopped it to be too perfect."There," Damien s
"You matter to me more than anything," he said. "More than my own life. I need you to know that."He leaned over and kissed her, tender and deep, and when he pulled back, there were emotions in his eyes that she'd never seen before.Fear. Vulnerability. Love."I know," she whispered. "I feel it."***Lyra was packing again, this time with everything spread out on the bed. all her new clothes, her toiletries, her phone charger.Damien sat in the chair by the window, watching her pack with an intensity that made her self-conscious."You're staring," she said without looking up."I'm enjoying watching you," he replied. "Is that not allowed?"She turned to look at him, and he was smiling...that genuine smile that still took her breath away."It's allowed," she said. "I just feel like I should do something more interesting than fold clothes.""Come here," he said, patting the space beside him.She abandoned her packing and settled into the chair with him, curling into his side.For a momen
His hand came up to cup her face, his thumb brushing away her tears."Then we're going to have it," he said. "And when we come back, when we have to return to reality and deal with all the complications and the complications, at least we'll have those memories. At least we'll know what it feels like to just be together without all the rest of the world getting in the way."He kissed her then...not passionately or possessively, but tenderly. Gently. Like he was reminding her of something important.When he pulled back, he rested his forehead against hers."Pack light," he said. "We won't need many clothes. The water is warm year-round, and I plan on keeping you mostly naked anyway."Lyra laughed, the first real laugh she'd had in days."There's the Damien I know," she said."There's a lot of versions of me you haven't met yet," he said softly. "And I want to show you all of them. But first, paradise."He lifted her slightly and stood up, carrying her toward the bedroom."But first," he
Lyra curled up on the couch with a glass of wine, watching the city lights twinkle below them as the sun set over Manhattan.It was a quiet evening, the kind they'd been having more of lately since she'd back moved in. No frantic sex, no possessive claiming, no tension that needed to be released.Just them. Together. Existing.Damien emerged from his home office with his laptop, and instead of going to his study, he sat down next to her on the couch, pulling her against his side.It was such a simple gesture, but it meant everything."I'm thinking about taking some time off work," he said casually, running his fingers through her hair.Lyra looked up at him, surprised. In all the years she'd known him, she'd never heard him suggest taking time off."Really?" she asked. "You? Taking time off?"He smiled...actually smiled, a genuine smile that didn't contain any darkness or possession, just warmth."Really," he said. "I think I need a break. And I think you need one too.""From what?" s
pressing the phone to her chest for a moment, her heart still racing from the conversation.She'd done it. She'd told her mother she was seeing someone serious.It wasn't the whole truth. It wasn't even close to the whole truth. But it was a start, a crack in the wall she'd built around her and Damien for months.The doorbell rang again, more insistent this time.Lyra pulled her robe tighter around herself, she was still in the silk robe she'd hastily thrown on after getting home from work, and padded to the door, glancing through the peephole out of habit.Her breath caught.Damien stood in the hallway, dressed down from his usual suits, dark jeans, a fitted black sweater that clung to his broad shoulders, his hair slightly less perfect than his office persona demanded. He looked like a man who'd made a decision and driven straight over before he could talk himself out of it.His expression was determined, possessive, absolutely certain.She opened the door, surprise written all ove
Lyra sat on her bed, her phone in her trembling hand, staring at her mother's contact information for what felt like the hundredth time.She'd been sitting like this for nearly twenty minutes, working up the courage to make the call.Because once she said the words out loud, once she told her mother that she was seeing someone seriously, it would become real in a way it hadn't been before. It would be a step toward the actual truth, even if she wasn't ready to tell the complete truth yet.She took a deep breath and pressed call.Isabelle answered on the second ring, her voice warm and immediately concerned."Lyra? Darling, is everything alright? You sound nervous.""I'm fine, Mom," Lyra said, forcing brightness into her voice. "I actually... I wanted to talk to you about something.""Of course, sweetheart. What is it?"Lyra closed her eyes and just said it."I'm seeing someone," she said. "And it is serious."There was a pause on the other end of the line. A long pause.Then: "You're
Lyra tried to focus on work, but her mind kept returning to that conversation.What did Karla know? How did she know it? And most importantly, what was she planning to do with whatever information she'd gathered?Her phone buzzed with a text from Damien.Damien: Working late. I'll pick you up at 7.
"Come for me," he said. "Come on my cock and show me that you're mine.""I'm yours," she gasped. "I'm yours, Damien, I'm coming...."Her orgasm hit her like a thunderbolt, and she cried out his name as her pussy clenched around him rhythmically.Damien let her ride through it, his hips thrusting up
The Savoy Hotel was elegant and luxurious, exactly the kind of place where billionaires and CEOs conducted business.Lyra checked into her suite and tried not to think about the fact that Damien was in the same building.Somewhere. Watching. Waiting.She took a shower and dressed carefully in a pro
Damien arrived at the Nightbane Gallery at exactly six-thirty, just as the last of the staff were filtering out for the evening.Lyra was in her office, reviewing the latest proposal from the Rousseau estate executor, when her assistant knocked."Lyra? Mr. Nightbane is here for you."Her heart did







