Page 9 of Song of the Heart Scale
The sight of her coming undone pushed me to the edge. I increased my pace, my restraint unraveling with each thrust. Cat's eyes locked with mine, dark and intimate, as she whispered, “Come with me.”
With one final thrust, I surrendered to my own release, our bodies trembling together as waves of pleasure consumed me. For a moment, time stood still and nothing existed beyond our joined bodies and shared breath.
I collapsed beside her and pulled her against my chest as we struggled to catch our breath. Her skin was slick with sweat, her heart hammering against my own. I pressed my lips to her forehead, tasting salt and sweetness.
“That was...” she murmured, her voice trailing off as words failed her.
“I know,” I whispered back, brushing damp strands of hair from her face.
“You said you love me,” Cat finally whispered, her fingers tracing idle patterns on my chest.
I tensed, remembering the words that had escaped in the heat of passion. “I did.”
She propped up onto one elbow, her dark eyes searching mine. “Did you mean it?”
I reached up to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, my thumb lingering on her cheek. “I don’t say things I don’t mean.”
Cat nibbled on her bottom lip but didn’t respond. She lay back down and quietly snuggled into my arms.
We lay in silence for several moments, our breathing gradually slowing, bodies cooling in the night air. The reality of our situation began to seep back in, unwelcome but unavoidable. In a handful of days, she would be expected to marry my older brother. The thought made my arms tighten around her possessively. What we’d just done… could get us both killed.
3
CAT
Sunlight filtered through the gossamer curtains, painting golden streaks across the rumpled bedsheets. I stirred, consciousness slowly returning as I stretched my limbs, feeling the pleasant ache in muscles that were thoroughly used the night before. A satisfied smile curved my lips before I even opened my eyes.
“Damien?” I murmured, reaching across the bed.
My fingers found only cool sheets. I blinked fully awake and pushed up onto my elbows. The room was empty and silent except for the birdsong drifting through the partially open window. The space beside me where Damien had slept was vacant, but the pillow still bore the imprint of his head.
“Of course,” I muttered, a familiar disappointment settling in my chest.
As I moved to sit up, something crinkled beneath my hand. A folded piece ofparchment rested on the pillow. My heart skipped as I unfolded it, recognizing Damien's bold, slanting script immediately.
Cat, I'll find a way for us. Trust me. Wait for me. -D
Three simple lines. No elaborate promises or detailed plans—just the essence of what I needed to hear. I traced my finger over the ink, imagining his hand moving across the parchment in the early morning light while I slept.
“Not much of a goodbye,” I whispered, but couldn't help smiling. Typical Damien—cryptic and commanding, even in his tenderness.
I pressed the note to my chest and breathed in the faint scent of him that still clung to the paper. Relief washing through me, I fell back against the pillows with the note clutched in my hand. The brevity of his message somehow made it more powerful. No flowery promises, just a simple declaration of intent. That was Damien—a man of action, not words.
“My lady?” Maeve's voice called through the door, followed by a soft knock. “Are you awake?”
“Oh, shit.” I hastily tucked the note under my pillow and pulled the sheets up. “Come in!”
Maeve opened the door and stumbled inside my bedroom, rubbing her temples. She groaned. “My lady, where did you go last night?”
I covered my mouth and chuckled. “Why? What happened?”
“That Dragon’s Breath game nearly undid me.” She staggered over to my bed and sat on the edge. “Berta has quite a tolerance.”
I bit my lower lip to keep from laughing. “How hungover are you, Maeve?”
“Hung what?” she repeated.
“Hungover!” I repeated.
