Page 35 of Obsidian Desire

Kaelis rested against him, her body trembling but her heart full. “That was…” She struggled to find the words, finally settling on “More than I could have imagined.”

Damian chuckled, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “That was just the beginning,” he promised. “There’s so much more waiting for us.”

They stayed like that for a while, their quiet intimacy as profound as the intensity of the scene they had just shared. Damian’s touch remained gentle, grounding her as she came back to herself.

“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice filled with gratitude.

Damian smiled, tilting her chin up to meet his gaze. “No, little one,” he said, his voice full of warmth. “Thank you for trusting me to take you there.”

As they left the room together, Kaelis felt a sense of accomplishment and connection that went beyond words. The scavenger hunt, the scene, and the quiet moments after had deepened their bond in ways she hadn’t anticipated. And as Damian’s hand rested at the small of her back, guiding her through the club, she knew there was nothing she wouldn’t follow him into.

Kaelis stepped through the softly lit halls of Echelon, Damian’s hand resting lightly on her back as they moved toward the lounge. The buzz of the club faded into the background, replaced by the steady hum of her heartbeat and the warmth radiating from his touch. Her body still hummed with the aftermath of the intense scene, but it was her heart that felt the most full. Every step she took with him felt like a reaffirmation of the trust and connection they had built.

When they reached the lounge, Damian guided her to a private booth in the corner. He helped her sit, briefly resting his hands on her shoulders before sliding into the seat beside her.

“How are you feeling?” he asked, his voice soft but edged with concern.

Kaelis took a deep breath. “Safe,” she said simply, the word carrying more weight than she could express. “And… seen.”

Damian’s lips quirked into a small smile, his dark eyes softening as he studied her. “Good,” he murmured. “Because you were incredible tonight. You trusted me completely, and that means everything.”

His hand reached for hers, their fingers intertwining effortlessly. Kaelis felt her cheeks flush under his praise, but she held his gaze, letting him see the gratitude and affection she couldn’t quite express.

“You’re always so careful,” she said after a moment, her voice quiet. “Even when you push me, you’re always watching, always making sure I’m okay. I’ve never felt anything like this before.”

Damian’s expression grew more serious, his thumb brushing lightly over her knuckles.

“That’s because it’s more than play,” he said. “It’s us. It’s the trust we’ve built, the connection we’ve found. That’s what makes it different.”

Kaelis swallowed, the lump in her throat threatening to overwhelm her. She squeezed his hand, her other hand resting over his.

“It’s not just different,” she whispered. “It’s everything.”

Damian’s jaw tightened slightly, his eyes darkening with emotion as he leaned closer. “Kaelis,” he murmured, his voice low. “You don’t just trust me—you’ve changed me. You’ve shown me a version of myself I didn’t think existed.”

Her breath caught at his words, her heart pounding so loudly she was certain he could hear it. “You mean that?” she asked, her voice trembling.

Damian nodded, his grip on her hand tightening slightly.

“I’ve never been more certain of anything,” he said. “You’ve given me something I didn’t even know I needed. And I’ll spend every day proving to you that I’m worthy of it.”

Kaelis felt a tear slip down her cheek, but she didn’t bother wiping it away. Instead, she leaned forward, her lips brushing against his in a kiss that was as soft as it was full of promise. Damian responded immediately, his free hand cradling her face as he deepened the kiss, pouring every unspoken word into the connection. When they pulled apart, he rested his forehead against hers, their breaths mingling in the quiet space between them.

“You’re everything to me,” Damian whispered, his voice barely audible. “And I don’t care if it breaks every rule I’ve ever set for myself. I’m not holding back anymore.”

Kaelis smiled, her hand moving to rest against his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her palm. “Then we’re breaking the rules together,” she said softly. “I’m not holding back either.”

The words hung between them, heavy with meaning but lightened by the shared certainty in their gazes. Damian pressed another kiss to her temple before pulling her into his arms,holding her tightly. Kaelis sank into the warmth of his embrace, her body relaxing completely for the first time in what felt like forever. In that moment, surrounded by the quiet hum of the club and the steady presence of the man she trusted with everything, she felt an overwhelming sense of belonging.

For the first time in her life, Kaelis wasn’t just following someone else’s path—she was creating her own, and Damian was right there beside her. The thought made her heart swell, her smile widening as she nestled closer to him. Whatever lay ahead, she knew they would face it together, and that was all that mattered.

Chapter twenty-six

The Forbidden Room

KaelisMonroefollowedDamianBlackthorn down a dimly lit hallway she had never ventured into before. The air here felt heavier, charged with an air of secrecy that set her pulse racing. Damian walked confidently ahead, his hand resting at the small of her back, a steadying touch as they approached an unmarked door. When they stopped, he turned to her, his dark eyes searching hers. “What’s behind this door is unlike anything you’ve experienced. Are you ready to trust me with something new?”

Kaelis nodded, swallowing hard but feeling a thrill of anticipation surge through her. “Always,” she said, her voice steady despite the butterflies in her stomach.

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