Bound by fire, Claimed by love

Evelyn's world tilted.

Not because of his touch, or his words, or the way his lips brushed over her skin like a whispered promise.

But because for the first time… she had nothing left to fight with.

No sharp retorts, no icy glares, no carefully built walls strong enough to keep him out.

She could lie to herself no longer.

So instead of pulling away, she did the one thing she never thought she'd do.

She stepped closer.

Damian inhaled sharply, as if she had done something far more dangerous than challenge him. His fingers, which had been so steady, trembled slightly against her skin.

"What are you doing?" he asked, his voice quieter now, as if he barely trusted himself to speak.

Evelyn looked up at him, really looked at him—the man who had once been nothing but a thorn in her side, who had turned into something she could no longer deny.

"Falling," she whispered.

And then, before she could think twice, she rose on her toes and kissed him.

It wasn't like their first kiss, fueled by anger and desperation.

This one was softer, slower. A surrender. A quiet confession in the form of parted lips and tangled breaths.

Damian stilled for only a moment, as if he couldn't believe she was real.

And then he broke.

His arms wrapped around her, crushing her against him as he deepened the kiss, stealing the air from her lungs. It was all heat and longing, the kind of kiss that made the world blur at the edges.

When they finally pulled apart, Damian pressed his forehead against hers, his breath uneven.

"Say it," he murmured, his fingers tightening around her waist.

Evelyn closed her eyes, her heart pounding against his. And when she spoke, it was barely more than a breath.

"I love you."

A low, almost disbelieving chuckle rumbled in his chest before he kissed her again, fiercer this time, as if he had been starving for the words.

"My love," he whispered against her lips. "You have no idea how long I've waited to hear that."