Stolen Legacy

Riley

Damien pulls me close, his hands firm but gentle on my waist as he presses a kiss to my forehead. His lips linger for a moment, and I close my eyes, savoring the feel of his warmth, but I know what's coming. 

The moment he steps back, his expression shifts—he's already thinking about his day, about the empire he runs.

"I won't be reachable today," he says, his voice low but matter-of-fact. "Back-to-back meetings. No interruptions."

I nod, understanding. "It's fine. I've got things to handle, too."

He quirks an eyebrow, clearly curious, but he doesn't push. Instead, he leans down, kisses me once more, and heads out the door. The second he's gone, the weight of reality settles back in, heavy and uncomfortable.