Chapter 21 Morning After
Ariana stirred awake, her body aching in places she hadn’t known could ache, a delicious soreness settling deep into her bones.
For a moment, she kept her eyes closed, letting the memories of the previous night play in her mind.
Damian
His rough hands, his whispers against her skin, the way he had moved against her like a man who had waited far too long
The way he had taken his time, as if memorizing every inch of her.
Ariana’s cheeks flushed, warmth spreading across her skin.
She turned slightly, her bare legs tangling with the silk sheets, and slowly opened her eyes.
Damian’s bedroom.
The room was bathed in soft morning light, illuminating the massive king–sized bed she had spent the night in -with him
The sheets were rumpled, the faint scent of sandalwood and spice lingering in the air.
Ariana swallowed, her pulse fluttering as more images from the night before filled her mind.
Damian above her, his gray eyes dark with hunger.
His mouth, hot and possessive, claiming every inch of her.
The way he had groaned her name, as if she was the only thing that had ever existed in his world.
Ariana pressed her hands over her face, groaning at her own shameless thoughts.
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< Chapter 21 Monegr
But before she could fully process her blowing state, a deep schen woke through the quiet
“Well, that’s a sight I wouldn’t mind waking up to every morning,”
Ariana’s breath hitched.
Slowly, she peeked through her fingers.
Damian Blackwood stood in the doorway, bare–chested, holding toro cups of coffee.
And dear God, the man was a work of art.
His abs were sculpted, his muscles taut and defined, his skin kissed with the faintest hint of old battle scars that only made him look more dangerously irresistible.
His dark sweatpants hung low on his hips, leaving little to the imagination.
Ariana shamelessly checked him out–only to realize too late that he had caught her doing it.
Damian smirked, walking over. “You’re staring, sweetheart.”
Ariana huffed, grabbing the nearest pillow and throwing it at him. “Shut up.”
Damian chuckled, catching the pillow effortlessly before handing her a cup of coffee.
“Good morning to you too,” he teased, sitting on the edge of the bed.
Ariana took a slow sip, savoring the warmth before glancing at him. “You cook and you bring coffee? What’s next, a proposal?”
Damian grinned. “Don’t tempt me.”
Ariana’s stomach flipped, but she masked it with a scoff.
Damian simply watched her, his gaze softening.
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< Chapter 21 Morning After
“Come on,” he murmured. “I made breakfast.”
The kitchen smelled of freshly brewed coffee, eggs, and toasted sourdough.
Ariana sat on the marble countertop, watching as Damian plated the food.
“I still can’t believe you actually cook,” she mused, tilting her head.
Damian smirked, setting the plates down. “You act like I’m incapable of being domestic.”
Ariana raised a brow. “I just figured you were more of a ‘five–star restaurant for breakfast‘ kind of guy.”
He chuckled. “I can be. But sometimes, I prefer the simple things.”
His voice had shifted, a quiet honesty laced between the words.
Ariana picked up her fork, suddenly feeling… exposed.
They ate in comfortable silence, but Ariana could feel something unspoken lingering between them.
It wasn’t just about last night.
It was about them.
Finally, Damian leaned back, studying her carefully.
“Ariana,” he said, his voice quieter now, more serious. “I need you to know something.”
She set her fork down, waiting.
“I don’t do this,” he admitted, fingers tapping against the table. “Casual. Meaningless. I don’t waste time on things that don’t matter.”
Ariana’s throat tightened.
Damian’s gray eyes locked onto hers. “And you? You matter.”
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Her breath hitched.
For the first time in years, she felt something dangerously close to fear.
Because this wasn’t a game to him.
This was real.
Ariana swallowed. “Damian…”
He reached out, brushing his knuckles along her cheek.
“I’m not asking for forever,” he murmured. “But I want to see where this goes.”
Ariana inhaled sharply, her heart pounding.
She had spent so long guarding herself, hardening her heart, but Damian?
He made her feel alive in ways she never had before.
A part of her wanted to
run.
Another part of her wanted to stay.
So instead of giving him an answer-
She reached for his hand, lacing her fingers through his.
And for now, that was enough.
After breakfast, they found themselves back in the living room, curled up on the massive leather couch, watching a mindless TV show.
Ariana had initially planned to leave right after breakfast, but somehow, she ended up staying.
Wrapped in Damian’s arms, his steady heartbeat beneath her ear, his fingers lazily tracing patterns along her
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Chapter 21 Morning After
It was…
Too nice.
nice.
She shifted slightly, looking up at him.
“You’re thinking too much,” he murmured.
Ariana sighed. “I don’t do this.”
Damian smirked. “Cuddling?”
She rolled her eyes. “Being this comfortable with someone.”
His gaze softened. “Maybe it’s time you tried.”
Ariana didn’t respond.
Because deep down, she knew-
She already was.
Damian dropped her home just after noon, pressing a lingering kiss to her forehead before watching her step
inside her penthouse.
Ariana stood in the entryway for a moment, her body still buzzing from his touch.
But she had somewhere to be.
She changed quickly before heading to her parents‘ estate.
Her mother, Victoria, greeted her with a knowing smirk. “You’re glowing, darling. Should I assume it’s not just business keeping you busy these days?”
Ariana rolled her eyes, but James Cole simply chuckled, wrapping his daughter in a hug.
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