She's Changed Me

Damien

Riley is curled up against me, her head resting on my chest, her breathing steady, relaxed. It's strange, this feeling—having someone in my space who doesn't just fit in but makes the place feel warmer. 

I'm used to power, control, the constant edge that keeps me on guard. But with her, it's different. It's like she's disarmed every piece of armor I've built over the years without even trying.

Her hand rests lightly on my chest, her fingers tracing absent patterns through my shirt. I catch her hand, my fingers closing over hers, and she looks up at me, a soft smile playing at her lips.

"You know," I say, my voice low, "I didn't picture tonight going like this."

She raises an eyebrow, her smile turning playful. "Oh? How did you picture it?"

I smirk, brushing a thumb over her hand. "Something less… quiet."