LILY'S POV
I couldn't breathe. I didn't know if it was the weight of Damien's words, or the intensity of his gaze, but something inside me shifted. The air felt too thick, too heavy, and I had to force myself to swallow, to think, to do something-anything-to break the spell he'd cast over me.
His words echoed in my head like a mantra: "Let me show you what it really means to be wanted."
I wanted to run. I wanted to pull away from him, to escape this dangerous proximity. But my body refused to move. My heart was thundering in my chest, and there was a part of me-deep down-that wondered if I really wanted to escape at all.
"You don't know what you're asking," I whispered, my voice shaky, uncertain.
Damien's eyes never left mine, his expression unreadable. But I saw the flicker of something dark behind the surface-something possessive, something dangerous. He took a step closer, closing the gap between us once more.
"You don't have to be afraid of me, Lily," he said, his voice low and soothing, but there was a razor edge to his words that made my pulse quicken. "I'm not offering you anything that you haven't already been craving."
I felt a sudden rush of heat flood my cheeks, a mix of anger and confusion. How could he know? How could he possibly know what I was craving?
"I'm not craving anything from you," I snapped, forcing myself to step back, creating distance between us. My hands trembled, but I tried to make my voice steady. "I don't need you to fix my problems."
Damien didn't flinch. Instead, he stood there, unmoving, watching me with that same unreadable expression. "You think you don't need me," he said, his voice quiet, but with an undertone of certainty that made my insides twist. "But I know you do. You're just too afraid to admit it."
I shook my head, trying to deny it, but the truth was-I wasn't sure anymore.
I felt like I was walking a tightrope, the ground beneath me shifting with every step I took. There was a voice in my head, the rational part of me, telling me to stop. Telling me that Damien was dangerous, that his obsession with me was toxic, that I had to stay away. But there was another part of me-something darker, something deeper-that was drawn to him.
"I don't want to be here," I said, the words barely escaping my lips as I turned toward the door.
But Damien's hand shot out, gripping my wrist before I could make it two steps. His touch was firm, unyielding. The room seemed to shrink around us, the temperature rising as his fingers tightened around my skin.
"You can't leave yet," he said, his voice low and smooth, almost like a command. "We're not done here, Lily."
I tried to pull away, but his grip was like iron, not allowing me any space to escape. I looked up at him, panic rising in my chest, but all I saw in his eyes was cold determination. There was no warmth there, no kindness-just the stark, dark hunger of a man who always got what he wanted.
"You don't get to tell me what to do," I said, my voice sharp, though I could feel the tremor in it.
"I think I do," Damien replied, his lips curling into a slow, almost predatory smile. "You'll understand, in time."
The tension between us was unbearable now. I wanted to scream, to lash out, but all I could do was stare at him, my heart racing, my thoughts a chaotic mess. He was right about one thing-I was afraid. Afraid of what he might do. Afraid of what I might feel if I let him get any closer.
"Let go of me," I said, this time more forcefully, my breath catching in my throat.
Damien hesitated for a moment, his gaze never leaving mine, as if weighing my words. Then, finally, he released my wrist, his fingers grazing my skin as he pulled away. The sudden absence of his touch left me feeling cold, like I had been deprived of something essential.
For a moment, neither of us spoke. The silence stretched, thick and suffocating, and I could feel the weight of Damien's presence in the room, even though he was no longer physically touching me.
I exhaled shakily, the fight leaving my body. I knew I couldn't stay here. I couldn't keep playing this dangerous game with him. It was too risky, too much.
"I should go," I said, my voice steadier now. "Caleb will be wondering where I am."
Damien didn't stop me this time. He only nodded, though there was something in his gaze that made me pause.
"You know," he said, his voice laced with something darker, something more dangerous than before, "you're not the first woman who's been tempted by me, Lily. But I'll be damned if you're the first to say no."
I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his words settle over me like a dark cloud. I didn't want to be tempted. I didn't want to be part of whatever twisted game Damien was playing. But something inside me-something I didn't understand-was still drawn to him.
I turned toward the door, moving as quickly as I could, but before I could open it, Damien's voice stopped me one last time.
"Think carefully, Lily," he said, his tone almost a whisper. "You might regret walking away from this."
I didn't respond. I couldn't. Instead, I opened the door and walked out of the penthouse, feeling his eyes on my back as I left.