Chapter 40
DAMIAN’S POV
I was expecting room service, maybe a late-night burger, but when I swung the door open, Cindy was there—standing before me, completely wrecked, like she’d been dragged through hell.
Her eyes were red and puffy, tears streaking her face, her whole body trembling like a leaf caught in a storm.
I’d never seen her like this. Her usual fire and steel armor gone, replaced by raw, broken vulnerability.
It hit me like a kick to the chest, a sharp twist of something I couldn’t name.
Anger? Protectiveness?
Whatever it was, it burned.
Before I could get a word out, she threw herself into me, crashing against my chest, sobs ripping through her so hard her whole body shook.
My muscles tensed, a jolt of heat surging through me as her fingers clawed at my shirt, her tears soaking the fabric, warm against my skin.
I froze for a second, caught off guard, then wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her close, her small frame trembling against mine.
Her cries were gut-deep, the kind that make your bones ache just hearing them.
What the hell happened? Who broke her like this?
Questions burned in my throat, but I swallowed them, letting her have the moment.
She needed it.
Then her voice came, muffled against my chest, raw and shaky.
“Damian, I need you.”
Those words sparked something wild in me, heat pooling low in my gut.
Need me?
My mind flashed to all the ways I’d love to answer that, but I shut it down fast.
Not now, idiot. She’s falling apart.
I brushed a damp strand of hair off her forehead, my fingers lingering on her skin, and pressed a soft kiss there, breathing in the faint scent of her shampoo.
“I’m here, baby,” I murmured, my voice low, wrapping both arms tighter around her. “Always here.”
“It hurts, Damian,” she choked out, her voice cracking. “It hurts so bad.”
“Let it out,” I said, rubbing her back, feeling her shake under my hands.
“Cry it all; it’ll ease up.”
She broke into another wave of sobs, her body quivering and fingers digging into my shirt like she was holding on for life.
We stood there in the doorway, the cool night air slipping in, mixing with the hum of the AC.
I didn’t move, didn’t rush her, just held her through every wrenching sound, each one cutting deeper than the last.
Her pain was so raw it felt like mine.
“Tell me, Damian. Am I not lovable?” she whispered, voice so small it nearly broke me.
I froze, my heart squeezing.
What? Who put that in her head?
I pulled back just enough to look at her, her face a mess of tears, eyes red but still so damn beautiful it hurt.
“What the hell, Cindy?” I said, my voice rough. “Don’t say that.”
She shook her head, cheeks flushing. “Forget it, I shouldn’t have…”
“Nah, hold up.” I cupped her chin, tilting her face so her eyes met mine, all watery and wide, making my chest ache.
“Look at me, sweetheart.” My thumb grazed her cheek, wiping away a tear, her skin warm under my touch.
“You think you’re not lovable? You’ve had me wrapped around your finger since I was fifteen. Ten years, Cindy, and I’m still fucked up over you.”
Her breath hitched, body tensing against mine, and her eyes searched my face like she was trying to believe me.
“What’s not to love?” I grinned, flicking her forehead lightly, just enough to pull a small smile from her, her cheeks turning pink.
“Your fire, your stubborn ass, the way you used to chew me out for stealing your books back in the day. Or that look you give me, like you’re ready to skin me alive. Shit, even when you’re mean, you’re gorgeous. You drive me crazy without even trying.”
Fresh tears spilled, but her eyes softened, a new warmth there, like she was seeing me—really seeing me—for the first time ever.
Her hands reached up, trembling, cupping my face, her fingers soft and warm against my jaw.
“Damian,” she whispered, voice quivering, “why are you so good to me?”
Goddamn, that look in her eyes was killing me.
My blood ran hot, every nerve screaming to pull her closer, kiss her senseless, pin her against the wall, and show her exactly how much she meant.
But no. Not like this.
Not when she was this vulnerable , shattered and broken.
I took a deep breath, closing my eyes to shove down the urge burning inside me, my hands tightening on her waist to ground myself.
I opened my eyes, grabbing her hands from my face and lacing my fingers with hers.
“Love doesn’t need a why, Cindy,” I said, voice low, deep and steady.
“When a man’s all in for you, it just is. That’s the whole damn point.”
Her gaze locked on mine, wide and unblinking, and fuck, it was like staring into a fire—beautiful, dangerous, pulling me in.
I smirked, squeezing her hands and pulling them down between us.
“But if you keep touching me like that and looking at me with those eyes, you’re gonna get yourself in trouble, Sheriff.”
Her jaw dropped, a shaky laugh breaking through her tears.
Finally… she laughed.
“You’re insane,” she said, pulling back to smack my chest, her palm landing with a solid thwack, her face flushing a deeper red.
The air shifted, the AC’s chill cutting through the heat between us, cooling the fire in my veins.
“Yeah, crazy for you,” I shot back, grinning as I kicked the door shut, the lock clicking with a satisfying snap.
I turned back to her, her face a little lighter now, though the pain still lingered in her eyes.
I grabbed her hand, tugging her gently toward the bed in the center of the suite, the city lights sparkling through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
“Something to take the edge off?” I asked, snatching a bottle of champagne and two glasses from the sleek wooden side table.
“Hell yes,” she said, voice still rough but steadier.
“Good, ‘cause I’m not hearing this story sober.”
I dropped onto the bed, patting the spot next to me.
She sat, her shoulder brushing mine as I tucked the bottle under my arm, popped the cork with a loud pop, and poured the glasses full, bubbles fizzing over the rims.
I set the bottle on the floor, handed her a glass, and clinked mine against hers, taking a long sip, the crisp bite hitting my tongue.
“Now talk to me,” I said, leaning back on one elbow, eyes locked on hers, “who’s the bastard that fucked you up like this?”