Chapter 156 - Whispers of Doubt, Promises of Love
I woke to sunlight streaming through unfamiliar curtains, momentarily disoriented before remembering I was in Damien's lakehouse. The events of last night flooded back—his passionate kiss, the way we'd eventually pulled apart, both breathing heavily, and his gentlemanly insistence that I take the master bedroom while he slept in another room.
"You deserve to feel completely comfortable," he'd said, brushing his thumb across my swollen lips. "And I don't entirely trust myself around you tonight."
Rolling over, I buried my face in the pillow that smelled faintly of his cologne. How had I gotten so lucky? After everything with Julian, I'd never expected to find someone who respected my boundaries so completely.
A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts.
"Hazel? Are you awake?" Damien's voice called softly.
"Yes, come in," I answered, sitting up and quickly smoothing my hair.
