Sienna didn’t know if she had made a mistake by coming here, but she did know one thing—she couldn’t walk away now.
Her body still tingled from Damien’s kiss, her mind at war with itself. He wanted her. He had admitted it. But he had also made it clear that wanting her terrified him. That their connection was dangerous. She knew she should turn around and leave. She should protect herself before she fell even deeper into something she might never recover from. But she didn’t move. Instead, she stood there in the dim glow of Damien’s penthouse, her breathing uneven, her heart slamming against her ribs as she looked up at him. Damien’s jaw was tight, his hands clenched into fists at his sides, as if he was physically restraining himself. “You should go, Sienna.” Her stomach twisted at the words. “Is that what you really want?” Silence stretched between them. His dark eyes burned into hers, full of something unspoken. Something she wasn’t sure if she should fear or surrender to. “You know it’s not,” he finally admitted, his voice hoarse. Her heart stuttered. Damien let out a sharp breath and turned away from her, dragging a hand through his hair. “But that doesn’t mean this is a good idea.” Sienna folded her arms, forcing herself to stay strong. “Why?” He turned back to her, and the raw intensity in his gaze made her breath catch. “Because I don’t do relationships. I don’t do commitment.” Her throat tightened. “Then what do you do, Damien? You kiss me like I’m the only person in the world. You pull me close, then push me away. And I let you. Over and over again.” His expression darkened, and in a few swift steps, he was in front of her again, gripping her chin gently between his fingers. “You think this is easy for me?” he murmured. Sienna’s breath hitched as his thumb brushed her lower lip. “I don’t know, Damien. Is it?” His nostrils flared slightly, but instead of answering, he leaned in. His lips hovered over hers, but he didn’t kiss her. Not yet. Instead, he whispered, “You should hate me for this.” Then he kissed her. And this time, it was different. It wasn’t rushed or desperate. It wasn’t full of hesitation. It was slow, controlled—like he wanted to take his time memorizing every inch of her, like he was surrendering to something he had fought against for too long. Sienna whimpered against his lips, her fingers curling into his shirt as he pulled her against his solid frame. Her body responded instantly. She knew she was losing herself in him, but she didn’t care. All she knew was that when Damien touched her, the rest of the world disappeared. And she didn’t want it back. A BATTLE OF CONTROL Damien deepened the kiss, his hands sliding down her back, gripping her hips in a way that made her gasp. She could feel the restraint in him—the battle between wanting her and holding back. But she didn’t want him to hold back. Not this time. Sienna reached up, tangling her fingers in his hair, tugging just enough to make him groan. The sound sent a shiver through her, and she arched into him. “Damn it, Sienna,” he muttered against her lips, his grip tightening on her waist. She smirked slightly, breathless. “What?” He exhaled sharply, resting his forehead against hers. “You make me lose control.” A thrill shot through her at the confession. She leaned up, pressing a soft kiss to the corner of his mouth. “Then lose it.” A muscle ticked in his jaw. And then, without warning, Damien lifted her effortlessly, carrying her to the couch. Sienna gasped, clinging to him as he set her down, caging her in with his body. His eyes were darker now, filled with something almost dangerous. “You don’t know what you’re asking for,” he warned. She held his gaze, refusing to back down. “Then show me.” His control snapped. Damien crushed his lips to hers again, his hands trailing down her sides, igniting a fire that threatened to consume her completely. Sienna had never wanted anyone like this. And as Damien’s touch left her breathless, she realized something terrifying. She wasn’t sure she would ever want anyone else again. THE AFTERMATH Hours later, as she lay curled up against Damien’s chest, she wondered if she had just made the biggest mistake of her life. Because she wasn’t just falling for him. She was already his. And she had no idea what that would cost her.Sienna’s heart pounded as she stood frozen in Damien’s office, his piercing gaze locked onto hers. The air between them was charged, thick with unspoken words and unresolved tension. She had told herself she wouldn’t let this happen again—that she wouldn’t let him get under her skin. And yet, here she was. “You’re running from me again,” Damien said, his voice calm but firm. Sienna crossed her arms over her chest, trying to create some kind of barrier between them. “I’m not running. I’m making the smart choice.” Damien took a slow step toward her, his eyes never leaving hers. “And what’s that?” “Keeping my distance.” A smirk ghosted across his lips, but there was something else in his expression something that looked a lot like frustration. “Funny. You say that, but you’re still here.” Sienna hated that he was right. She should have left the moment she realized they were alone in his office. But something about Damien made her want to stand her ground, even when she knew i
Sienna’s heart raced as she stepped into her apartment, shutting the door behind her with more force than necessary. The moment she was alone, the reality of what had just happened with Damien hit her like a storm. She paced the length of her living room, her mind playing back every second of their last encounter. The way he had looked at her, the dominance in his touch, the way his words sent shivers down her spine. Her phone buzzed. She snatched it off the table, already knowing who it was. ‘Damien; We’re not done. Her breath caught in her throat. Of course, they weren’t. How could they be? He was relentless, and no matter how much she tried to resist, he always found a way to break through her defenses. She typed a response before she could stop herself. Sienna;Yes, we are. She stared at the screen, waiting for the three dots to appear, but they never did. Maybe he had finally given up. Or maybe… this was just the calm before the storm. She ran her fingers through
Sienna’s breath came in short, ragged gasps as Damien’s lips moved against hers with a slow, deliberate hunger. Every touch, every caress sent a wildfire through her veins, consuming her in ways she never thought possible. She should stop this. She should push him away. But instead, she clung to him like he was the only thing keeping her upright. Damien’s hands roamed down her back, molding her to him, his body a wall of heat and raw dominance. His grip tightened around her waist, pulling her flush against him, leaving no space between them. A broken sigh escaped her lips. He growled low in his throat, his mouth trailing down to her jaw, then to the sensitive spot just below her ear. He nipped at her skin, sending a delicious shiver down her spine. “Damien…” her voice was breathless, pleading. He pulled back just enough to look into her eyes, his dark gaze filled with intensity. “Tell me to stop,” he murmured, his thumb tracing her lower lip. She swallowed hard. Sa
Sienna couldn’t sleep. She had tossed and turned all night, but no matter how many times she shut her eyes, Damien's words echoed in her head. "I won’t force you, but don’t think for a second that this is over."Her body still tingled from his touch, from the way he had looked at her—like she was the only thing that mattered. It scared her how easily he got under her skin, how he made her question everything she thought she wanted. With a frustrated sigh, she sat up in bed, hugging her knees to her chest. This had to stop. She had worked too hard, built too many walls, to let a man like Damien Pierce tear them down. But deep down, she knew it was already too late. A sharp knock at her door made her jolt. Her heart slammed against her ribs. Was it him? Slowly, she climbed out of bed, her bare feet padding against the cold floor as she moved toward the door. She hesitated for a moment before opening it. To her surprise, it wasn’t Damien. It was Olivia. Sienna’s b
Sienna spent the rest of the morning trying to convince herself that this lunch wasn’t a big deal. It was just a meal. Just food. With her boss. Who happened to be the most powerful man she’d ever met. And who made her heart race with nothing but a look. Her nerves didn’t settle as she stood by the curb, waiting for Damien’s driver to arrive. The sleek black car pulled up smoothly, and a suited chauffeur stepped out, opening the door for her. “Ms. Carter,” he greeted. She hesitated for a second before sliding into the leather seat. The moment the door shut, she felt trapped. Like she was being taken straight into the lion’s den. She exhaled, trying to ignore the way her palms felt sweaty. This was a mistake. A huge mistake. But it was too late to back out now. When the car pulled up to an exclusive restaurant one that she knew had a waitlist stretching months Sienna’s stomach clenched. She barely had time to compose herself before the driver opened her
The city skyline glowed against the midnight sky, casting a golden hue over Damien’s penthouse. Sienna stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, her arms wrapped around herself as she gazed at the world below. Everything felt surreal the extravagant suite, the intoxicating man who had turned her world upside down, and the undeniable pull between them that she couldn’t escape. She heard Damien’s footsteps behind her before she felt his warmth. He was always so close, his presence consuming, yet he had the ability to make her feel utterly exposed without even touching her. “You’re thinking too much,” he murmured, his voice smooth as silk. Sienna let out a soft breath, her eyes still fixed on the city lights. “How could I not?” Damien’s fingers brushed against her shoulder, a fleeting touch that sent shivers down her spine. “Tell me what’s on your mind,” he urged. She turned to face him, her heart pounding. “You,” she admitted, the truth slipping out before she could stop herself.
Sienna stirred awake to the sensation of warm fingertips tracing idle patterns on her bare back. The morning light filtered through the sheer curtains of Damien’s penthouse bedroom, casting a soft glow over the space. The air smelled of him clean, masculine, and utterly intoxicating. She let out a soft sigh, her body still humming from the night before. But as her mind cleared, reality settled in. She was in Damien’s bed. Again. And this time, there was no denying what it meant. “Awake already?” Damien’s deep, sleepy voice rumbled from beside her. Sienna turned her head slightly, meeting his gaze. He was propped up on one elbow, watching her with an expression that was both possessive and unreadable. His tousled dark hair and the lazy smirk on his lips made him look impossibly sexy. “I should go,” she murmured, though her body made no move to leave. Damien’s fingers trailed down her spine, making her shiver. “Go where?” She exhaled, trying to steady herself. “Home. Work.
Sienna spent the rest of the day trying and failing to focus on work. But no matter how hard she tried, her mind kept drifting back to Damien. His touch, his words, the way he looked at her like he could consume her whole. She hated how easily he got under her skin. By the time evening rolled around, she was a bundle of nerves. She had no idea what Damien had planned for tonight, and the mystery of it all only made her more anxious. Her phone buzzed just as she was finishing her makeup. Damien Be ready in five minutes. Wear something elegant.Sienna exhaled sharply. Of course, he didn’t ask if she was free he simply expected her to comply. She debated telling him she wasn’t coming. That she wasn’t his to summon. But the truth was, she wanted to see him. Even if it was dangerous. She slipped into a sleek black dress that hugged her curves in all the right places, paired it with heels, and grabbed her clutch. Just as she stepped outside, a black luxury car pulled up to t
Sienna spent the entire drive back to her apartment gripping the steering wheel so tightly that her knuckles turned white. Her heart was still hammering, her mind replaying every second of the night before, every whispered word, every heated touch. She should have never let it happen. She had been walking a tightrope with Damien since the moment she signed that contract, but last night… last night, she had set fire to the entire rope. And now there was no going back. Her phone buzzed on the passenger seat, yanking her out of her thoughts. She glanced at the screen. Claire.For a second, she considered ignoring it, but she knew her best friend wouldn’t let her off that easily. With a sigh, she pressed the answer button and put the phone on speaker. “You disappeared last night,” Claire’s voice came through immediately, laced with curiosity. “I swear, one second you were sipping your drink, and the next poof! Gone.” Sienna swallowed hard. “I… wasn’t feeling well.” A pause.
The weight of morning pressed down on Sienna before she even opened her eyes. She wasn’t in her own bed, that much was obvious. The mattress was too firm, the sheets too soft, and the warmth enveloping her was entirely unfamiliar except it wasn’t. A slow, sinking realization curled through her as she became aware of the arm draped over her waist, the steady rise and fall of a chest behind her, the scent of cedarwood and something unmistakably masculine surrounding her like a cocoon. Damien. Her breath caught in her throat. Last night wasn’t a dream. A slow pulse of heat unfurled in her stomach, memories flashing in rapid succession his lips claiming hers with a hunger that stole her breath, the way he whispered her name like it was the only thing that mattered, the way his touch had ignited something deep inside her, something she had no control over. She squeezed her eyes shut, willing herself to block it out, to push it into a locked corner of her mind where it couldn’t co
The moment Sienna opened her eyes, reality crashed over her like a tidal wave. She wasn’t in her apartment. She wasn’t alone. Damien’s arm was draped over her waist, his warmth still lingering on her skin. His slow, steady breathing sent a shiver down her spine, and for a moment, she allowed herself to stay there, wrapped in the remnants of last night. But then, the weight of it all settled in. What had she done? She turned her head slightly, her gaze landing on Damien’s face. Even in sleep, he looked impossibly perfect his sharp jaw relaxed, his dark lashes resting against his skin. He looked different like this. Peaceful.Vulnerable in a way she’d never seen before. Her fingers twitched with the urge to trace his features, to memorize every detail. But she couldn’t. Because this they weren’t supposed to happen. Panic started to creep in, but before she could move, Damien shifted beside her, his grip tightening instinctively. His lips parted slightly, and he murmur
Sienna wasn’t sure how long she stayed in Damien’s arms, lost in the heat of his touch. Every breath she took felt heavy, charged with emotions she didn’t dare name. She should pull away. She should remind herself why this was dangerous. But she couldn’t. Because in this moment, nothing else existed but him. Damien’s fingers traced slow, deliberate circles on her lower back, his breath warm against her skin. His hold on her wasn’t just possessive it was protective, like he was afraid she’d disappear if he let go. Sienna swallowed hard. “Damien…” He hummed in response, his grip tightening. She hesitated. Her thoughts were a tangled mess, but one thing was clear she couldn’t keep pretending this wasn’t real. “What are we doing?” she whispered. Damien’s jaw tensed, his body going still. For a moment, he didn’t answer. Then, slowly, he lifted his head, his dark eyes locking onto hers. “We’re crossing a line we can’t come back from,” he said, his voice low, rough.
Sienna wasn’t sure how long she stayed in Damien’s arms, lost in the heat of his touch. Every breath she took felt heavy, charged with emotions she didn’t dare name. She should pull away. She should remind herself why this was dangerous. But she couldn’t. Because in this moment, nothing else existed but him. Damien’s fingers traced slow, deliberate circles on her lower back, his breath warm against her skin. His hold on her wasn’t just possessive it was protective, like he was afraid she’d disappear if he let go. Sienna swallowed hard. “Damien…” He hummed in response, his grip tightening. She hesitated. Her thoughts were a tangled mess, but one thing was clear she couldn’t keep pretending this wasn’t real. “What are we doing?” she whispered. Damien’s jaw tensed, his body going still. For a moment, he didn’t answer. Then, slowly, he lifted his head, his dark eyes locking onto hers. “We’re crossing a line we can’t come back from,” he said, his voice low, rough.
Sienna lay awake in bed, staring at the ceiling, her mind a chaotic storm of emotions. Damien’s touch still lingered on her skin, his kiss burned into her memory, but the moment had left her shaken in ways she couldn’t explain. She had seen something in his eyes tonight something raw, something that scared her more than the danger surrounding them. She wasn’t afraid of Damien. She was afraid of how much she felt for him. The realization made her chest tighten. This was supposed to be simple. She was supposed to keep her heart out of this, to protect herself from getting too attached. But it was already too late. A deep sigh left her lips as she turned onto her side, hoping that sleep would claim her. But just as her eyes fluttered shut, the bedroom door creaked open. She sat up instantly, her pulse spiking. Damien stood in the doorway. The dim glow from the city outside cast long shadows across his face, but even in the darkness, she could see the tension in his po
Sienna paced the length of her bedroom, her arms wrapped tightly around herself. The minutes stretched endlessly, and the silence in the penthouse was almost suffocating. Damien had left without telling her where he was going. And that terrified her more than anything. She had seen the look in his eyes before he walked out dark, controlled, but beneath it, there had been something else. Something dangerous. A man like Damien didn’t just handle things. He eliminated them. A shiver ran through her. Her phone sat untouched on the nightstand, but the urge to call him was overwhelming. She knew he probably wouldn’t answer. Still, she picked it up, hesitating only a moment before dialing his number. It rang once. Twice. Then straight to voicemail. Sienna clenched her jaw. Something was wrong. She wasn’t sure how long she stood there, gripping her phone like it held all the answers. The uncertainty was gnawing at her, an ache in her chest that wouldn’t go away. Th
Sienna sat in the dimly lit bedroom, her arms wrapped around her knees as she stared out the window. The city below stretched endlessly, glittering lights masking the darkness that lurked beneath. She had spent so much time convincing herself that she could handle this. That being in Damien’s world wouldn’t change her. But tonight proved otherwise. She could still hear the gunshots ringing in her ears, still feel the suffocating fear of that moment when she thought she wouldn’t make it out alive. A shiver ran through her. Damien had promised to protect her. He had stormed in like a man possessed, his fury unmatched, his control absolute. And yet… the danger hadn’t ended. She wasn’t naive enough to believe this was over. A soft knock at the door broke her out of her thoughts. She turned, expecting one of the house staff, but her breath caught when she saw Damien standing there, his presence filling the space instantly. His sleeves were rolled up, revealing the taut
Sienna’s heart pounded as she stepped away from the door, gripping her phone so tightly her knuckles turned white. The man outside was silent now, but she could still feel his presence waiting, watching. Every second stretched unbearably as she listened for any movement. Would he try to force his way in? Would Damien make it in time? The penthouse felt too big, too open. She had never been afraid in Damien’s space before, but now, it felt like a cage. Another knock. This one was softer. “Sienna,” the voice called again, smooth and coaxing. “I don’t mean any harm. I just want to talk.” She didn’t respond. A low chuckle came from the other side. “He didn’t tell you about me, did he?” Sienna’s pulse spiked. Whoever this was he knew Damien. She forced her voice to stay steady. “I don’t know who you are, and I don’t care. Leave.” A pause. Then— “I thought you’d be smarter than this.” Sienna’s breath caught. The doorknob rattled. Panic surged through her veins