DAMIEN’S POV

I pulled away from her, just a step, because I needed air. Needed a second to breathe before I said things that couldn’t be taken back. My heart was pounding so hard I could hear it in my ears. The room felt too small, the air too thick.

Rose stood there in that red satin dress, cheeks flushed, eyes wide and dark, lips parted like she was already waiting for whatever came next. She looked so beautiful it hurt, but right now beauty wasn’t the problem. The problem was the storm inside me—want, fear, hunger, love—all crashing together.

“Rose,” I started, voice rough, low. “I need you to...