It wasn’t a kiss. It was a claim. A command. A storm. His grip tightened on my neck, anchoring me as the last of my boundaries dissolved. My head screamed. My fingers clawed at him as if he were keeping me alive.
This would destroy me. And still, I wanted more. More of him. More of the exquisite addiction swallowing me.
Then he tore away, breath ragged, chest heaving. “Damn it,” he cursed.
I trembled, burning.
“Go,” Damian rasped. “Go before I change my mind.”
I reached the handle like a drowning woman grasping air. I opened the door, his gaze heavy on my back. As I walked away, the scorch of his lips lingered—an unerasable brand.
I told myself it was over.
The lie tasted sweet—for a second.
Jenn and I stood on the platform. The cold morning air swirled around us. The station was already crowded, people moving with practiced urgency. Some stared into their phones, others barked into calls. A few skimmed newspapers while weaving through the crowd with coffee cups in hand. Many wore headphones, sealed off in their own worlds. Yet despite the constant rush, in that moment it felt like Jenn and I were the only two people there.
“The weekend was really nice,” she said.
“And now you have Richard’s number?”
“For the moment, just as friends.”
“Who knows what other crap Mike might pull.”
Jenn took my hand, her face turning serious. “I’m so sorry about what happened at the club the other night. I should’ve kept a closer eye on you.”
I shook my head. “You couldn’t have done anything. I just shouldn’t have drunk so much.”
“Lucky for you, Damian Miller was your knight in shining armor.” She winked, then her expression sharpened. “I know he helped you, but still—be careful. That world you’re stepping into is full of power-hungry people. Not all of them are harmless.”
Her words cut too close to the truth. I nodded. “I’ll be careful. Promise.”
The announcement for Jenn’s train echoed overhead. We hugged tightly.
“I’ll be back soon,” she said. “And if anything happens, you call me. Right away. No matter what.”
“I will. Thank you.”
The train pulled in. We let go. With one last smile, she stepped aboard. I waved until the train disappeared, and then the loneliness pressed in. I stayed a moment before finally turning toward the exit.
My phone buzzed.
An unknown number.
08:10 – Unknown:Your friend escorted safely to the station, Miss Elfhorn?
08:10 – Daisy:Who is this?
08:11 – Unknown:Ouch. I thought after last night I’d earned a place in your contacts. Damian M.—your knight in shining armor?
My heartbeat quickened when I read the name.
08:12 – Daisy:Are you following me, Mr. Miller?
08:12 – Damian:Only out of purely professional interest. Very pure. By the way… shouldn’t you already be at work?
08:13 – Daisy:I have flex time, if you must know.
