Ashes of Us

a's

ngs taste

e mornings t

ing in silk sheets, tangled in Damian's arms, kissed a

creeping into my bones. I felt his hand at my waist before I even opened my eyes slow, possessive, warm. His lips brushed the back

murmured, voice

o that," I whispered, a fai

n. I turned to face him, blinking the sleep from my eyes. He was already watching me. Heavy-lidded, lashes cast s

n Lan

hus

ddic

llus

he planet but us. His mouth was warm, confident, and familiar. The kind of kiss that remi

the kiss, his tongue finding mine in an unhurr

me as he touched me like only he could like a man who knew ever

hair as he trailed kisses down my neck, over my collarbo

e. "Say the word, Lena. And I'll wor

't say

down and let his

myself believe I was still the only woman he wanted to touch. That

e needed to prove something. And maybe I nee

notting his tie like he wasn't the same man who had just made

olished power, and practiced perfection. Damian

ate tonight," h

altered. "

inner. You know ho

the doorframe, wearing nothing but

lways did when I pushed gentle, indulgent

the momen

white collar

of his designer tie...

art s

this morning. I hadn'

ully, stepping forward. My fingers trembl

, barely reacting.

ightened.

my forehead, grabbed his brief

ain," he said, and just

thin

ite word when I qu

nd unspoken doubts. Left me standing there, wrapped in his

thin

truth for th

ar drum. The polished marble, the crystal vases, the artfully

ries. His absences. The sudden trips. The disinterest in our p

ded p

ere I'd neve

st

tucked behind the liquor cabinet. I'd seen him retrieve it once,

k the

open with a soft,

r than my footsteps

ed. Dark wood. Black leather. No clutter. Not a single paper out

. Files. Bills. Reports. Legal memos

I fo

st drawer, beneath a fa

led. U

th fingers that di

si

e ticket

servation at

photo

ht as I stared

mi

a w

ng legs. Dre

nne B

Her hand was on his chest. His head was tilte

ntimate.

fami

d the ph

ext tim

envelope lik

art didn't just break it imploded, spl

ien

eautiful. Cold. The kind of woman who

was in

my hu

y without thought. I stumbled to o

ph

der his pillow.

ver ne

il

e was still

nloc

world s

nne B

ght was

s. Just keep

we talked about.

m. My hand shook, but my ey

en hear the

en

urn

iefcase in hand, eyes immediate

rward. "What

. "Is this why you'v

me t

N

not what it

eally? Because it looks like you've been fuc

ough his hair, uncharacteristic

. "It's betrayal. It's cowa

t to hurt you

you

understand. Vivienne... he

Damian. And you le

n my closet, and pul

ou doing?"

avi

't let

to let me do an

ll lov

there for a few sec

ter. "I love you, Lena. I did

to happen. It just happens

protect

en why do I feel like

ched f

h me again, and I swe

fro

e photo, and my suitcase,

a mistake," he

d one l

three years ago w

hecked into a hotel u

think. I just stared at t

ing wa

he messages.

staged. Almos

y fingers brushed against somethi

her

Damian an

ien

ancaster. Da

together.

ck, in Evelyn

he doesn't come b

like that

n't just

was