His Reluctant Heart

intensity that made her heart skip a beat. He extended his h

ave a mind of its own. She placed her hand in Damian's, feel

lody that seemed to match the rhythm of Amara's racing heart. Damian's han

undeniable attraction. Amara felt like she was drowning in Damian's eyes, the d

his breath caressing her ear, "t

's smile put her at ease. "I'm a bit of a bookwor

fan of stories myself. Especially those wit

ing the other's defenses. Amara found herself opening up to Damian in ways she

ned, pulling her closer. Amara's heart skipped a beat a

hispered, his lips brushing against her ear. "

e whisper, but Damian's smile told h

d, but Amara's awareness of Damian remained acute. She felt like she

elp but wonder: was she

like a promise. Damian 's eyes locked onto Amara's,

, the world around her suddenly harsh and unforgiving. But Damian 's

usic, their bodies swaying in perfect harmon

I need

gure with a stern expression. Damian's gaze never left hers, but

" he said, his voice low and ap

an released her hand and stepped away. The music cont

the commanding presence. The man who had interrupted them was clearly a business ass

e, handed Damian a phone. Damian 's expression darkened a

He was no longer the charming, flirtatious man who had swept her off her feet.

ds Amara, and for a moment, their gazes locked. Amara felt a jolt of e

ercing eyes. She was drawn to the power and authority that radiated from him, t

Amara felt a sense of trepidation. She knew that she was playing with

to a flame. And as he walked back towards her, his eyes burning

enge with Damian , her friend, Leah, stumbled

ht going?" Leah slurred, her eyes

turedly. "It's going, Rach. J

air bobbing up and down. "Yeah, yeah, the

, who was still deep in conversation with his friend.

grabbing Leah's hand and pull

d without hesitation. The music was pulsating, the lights

and Amara joined in, feeling her inhibiti

ughter echoing through the crowded room. Amara felt free, unenc

sion blurring at the edges. She stumbled, and Leah caug

, and for a moment, they just stared at each other

ra lost herself in the chaos of the party, the music

his hands grasping for her waist. Amara felt a surge of discomf

ance with me?" he slurred,

like a vice. She looked around frantically for Leah, but

n was hard, his eyes narrowed into slits. For a moment, they just st

used himself from his friend and strode across

waist, Damian's eyes flashed with anger. He reached out,

o," Damian growled, his

pulled him away from Amara. "She's with me," Da

as Damian's gaze locked onto hers. She

crowded bar, navigating through the throngs of people with ease. They final

rning with intensity. "Are you okay?

still racing from the en

the bar, where a small store roo

d back to s

cupping her face. Amara felt a jolt of electricity as hi

of them, lost in the moment. Amara felt like she was drowning in Damian

She was falling for Damian , hard and fast. And she wasn't sure if she'd ev

more and more aroused. He couldn't believe how

quickly and efficiently. Damian felt himself being pulled into a world of p

now undressed, her beautiful body glowing in the dim light. He felt

led Amara close, his lips meeting