“I want to own you. Not just your body. Everything. Your thoughts. Your breath. Your damn will. I want you to love me while I tear you apart.” His hand slid from my wrist to my throat. Testing. Gentle, but only barely.
And I saw it then—the battle inside him. Him against himself. Against what he was. Suddenly, he let me go. He pushed off the bed, dragging both hands through his hair. His chest rose and fell like he’d been running.
“Damn it, Daisy! You have to stop this!”
I was one racing heartbeat, one frantic pulse. “Stop what?”
His eyes burned into me. “What is that scent?”
I blinked. “What?”
“The whole damn room smells like you.”
“It’s just… face cream.”
“It’s driving me insane. You’re driving me insane!” He grabbed the glass, drained it in one motion, and slammed it onto the table before storming out.
I didn’t move. My body was still trembling, still caught between heat and confusion. What the hell had that been? Why was he holding back? What was stopping him from finally breaking?
He never came back. At some point, exhaustion claimed me.
I woke to a knock. The door eased open and a flight attendant peeked inside.
“Miss Elfhorn, we’ll be landing in thirty minutes. You’ll find everything you need in the washroom—towels, toiletries.”
“Thank you,” I murmured, dragging myself upright. A few minutes later, I slipped into the washroom.
When I returned, Damian sat again, tapping something into his laptop. If he noticed me, he didn’t show it. I sank into the seat beside him and watched.
“Did you sleep well?” he asked, eyes never leaving the screen.
“Yes,” I said softly, searching for his gaze. He didn’t look.
Then, abruptly, he did. His face came close enough to steal my breath. My heartbeat roared in my ears. I thought he might kiss me. Instead, his hand moved—down to my waist. A shiver bolted through me. I was strung so tight with wanting that I could barely breathe.
His fingers slipped beneath my arm, fastening me in with an ease that felt almost mocking. The belt clicked softly. I sat there, strapped in—confused, feeling foolish. He tugged it tighter. Not rough, but firm. His eyes locked on mine, but there was distancein them, as if I were just something to secure. An object. Then he leaned back, closing his eyes, silent as stone.
And I sat there like a live wire, buckled and trapped, heart pounding far too fast for someone who hadn’t just been kissed.
The hotel was breathtaking. Tall marble columns and sparkling chandeliers lit the lobby. The staff waited in immaculate uniforms.
“Mr. Miller, welcome back,” said the concierge with a polished smile.
The familiarity struck me. He’d been here before. Many times.
“Please take my companion to her suite,” Damian said. “And show my security team to theirs.”
“Of course, sir.”
Admiration twisted inside me. Everything about this place was commanding, opulent—and I felt small in the midst of it. The ride from the airport had been silent, crowded with all the words we hadn’t said. Damian had withdrawn; the only thing he’d offered was a single, detached question about whether I wanted a drink.
Now, in the soft light of the foyer, his eyes caught mine. “I need to take care of a few things—check in, make arrangements. I’ll come to you later. Tonight, we’ll walk the city and have dinner. Tomorrow we visit the Vatican Library.”
I nodded as the staff led me to my suite, which was every bit as luxurious as the lobby promised.
“Mr. Miller has the suite across from yours,” the concierge explained. “If you need anything, call room service. We are available around the clock, Miss Elfhorn.”
“Thank you,” I said, taking the key card.
