ldn't see him again, yet Damien had a way of invading her thoughts, his words and touch replaying in vivid det

th floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. The space was alive with chaotic brilliance: scattere

inside. He wore a black shirt with the sleeves rolled up, exposi

mmoning her composure. "

ano. "Because I want to create something with

ap. Damien sat beside her, the proximity of his body sending a shiver down her s

you feel,"

trings, hesitating. "I nee

e dropping to a near whisper. "Feel m

But when she drew the bow across her violin, the melody came unbidden-a ha

ng the piano keys to accompany her. The notes built,

as thick. Damien turned to her, his gaze smold

answer, he leaned in, his lips brushing against hers. The kiss was

o the floor, forgotten. Her fingers tangled in his hair, her inhibitions di

lips moved to her neck, leavin

whispered against he

o his touch. His hands roamed freely, mapping her curves with a

arbone, a sharp knock at t

called from the hallway,

hers. "Sofia," he muttered under his br

en rose and adjusted his shirt. "Wait here," he said,

ccusing. "You're distracted, Damien. Do you even care about the

ly. "But my process is mine,

his fingers brushing her cheek. "Don't let her ruin this," he said, hi

in. She wasn't sure if Damien was the symphony she had

from the chill of uncertainty Sofia's interruption had left behind. She couldn't ignore the look in D

ght her wrist. "Stay," he said, h

her heart warring with her he

d a glint of something deeper.

tering glass echoed through the studio. Damien's body

?" Aria asked,

ssion darkened

dow near the back entrance. The glass was jagged, shards glittering on the floor like fa

d-a stone wrapped in a piece of paper. He unwrapped it ca

or you'll

Aria asked, st

, crumpling the paper in his fist.

ay his usually composed demeanor had cracked. "D

lazing. "This has nothing to

elf. "You don't get to pull me into your wo

hen he exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair.

orner of the studio. Inside were stacks of letters, some torn,

ted. "Whoever it is-they don't want me composi

?" Aria ec

, his voice tight. "She died, and the music I'm writing i

s music suddenly made sense, as did the weight he carried. But before

rrowed. "Stay he

he moved to the door. Outside stood a man in a da

e man said, his voice low and gravelly

rigid. "I don't scare easily. Tell

r your sake-and hers." His gaze shifted

isappeared into the night, leavin

hind them, his movements tense. "You should'v

ne?" Aria shot back. "Who

ainful. "This isn't your fight, Aria. These people-th

er voice steady despite the fear clawi

f frustration and admiration. Then he pulled her into a fi

orehead against hers. "If you stay, there's no

r resolve hardening. "I

, sad smile. "Then let's see if w