Chapter 12

Damien ran a hand through his hair, his eyes never leaving Vivi's. "You have no idea what you do to me," he said, his voice raw and filled with a mixture of desire and something deeper. "It's like you cast a spell, and I'm completely under your control."

Vivi's eyes softened, and she rose from her knees, her hands resting on his chest. "You don't need a spell, Damien. It's just us. No secrets, no barriers."

He grasped her hips, pulling her closer, his eyes searching hers. "You see right through me, don't you?"

She nodded, her eyes filled with a mixture of desire and understanding. "And you see the real me. The Vivi no one else knows."

Damien smiled, a mixture of wonder and something akin to awe. "I've never felt this way before. It's like we're meant to—"

She placed a finger on his lips, silencing him as she whispered, "I know. It scares me, too."

Their gazes locked, the intensity of the moment crackling between them. Damien lowered his head, his lips claiming hers in a kiss that was both passionate and tender.

Vivi responded eagerly, her hands tangling in his hair as she matched his rhythm. Their bodies moved in sync, as if they were two pieces of a puzzle finally fitting together perfectly.

As the kiss deepened, their hunger for each other grew. Damien's hands roamed Vivi's body, exploring every curve, memorizing every inch of her. He wanted to brand her as his, to leave an indelible mark that proclaimed her as his and his alone.

"You're mine, Vivi," he whispered against her lips, his breath warm on her skin. "Only mine."

She shivered at his words, her eyes shining with a mixture of desire and something that resembled surrender. "Yours," she breathed, her voice catching as her hands clutched at his shoulders. "Now and always."

Vivi's eyes widened as the weight of her words sank in. She pulled away from Damien, her breath coming in short gasps. "Stop," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Damien froze, confusion etched across his features. "What's wrong?"

She shook her head, taking a step back. "We can't do this anymore. It's... it's too much."

He reached for her, but she held up a hand, stopping him. "Vivi, please. Talk to me."

She turned away, wrapping her arms around herself. "This was supposed to be just physical, Damien. But it's becoming something else, and I can't... I can't let that happen."

Damien's jaw clenched, his eyes searching her face. "Why not? What are you afraid of?"

Vivi bit her lip, fighting the urge to tell him how he was worming his way into her heart. How every touch, every kiss, every shared moment was becoming more than just a physical connection. But she couldn't bring herself to say it out loud.

"We made a deal," she said instead, her voice stronger now. "Two days, and then it's over. We can't forget who we are, Damien. Who I am to your father."

He ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident in every line of his body. "So that's it? We just pretend this never happened?"

Vivi nodded, even as her heart screamed in protest. "It's for the best. We both know this can't go anywhere."

Damien opened his mouth to argue, but then closed it, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "Fine," he said, his voice tight with suppressed emotion. "If that's what you want."

She watched as he gathered his clothes, her heart aching with every movement.

"For what it's worth, Vivi," he said softly, "I've never felt this way about anyone before."

Damien stood there, his eyes never leaving Vivi's, even as she averted her gaze, her cheeks flaming with embarrassment. Without a word, he turned and began to dress, his movements efficient and anger-laden.

As he pulled on his shirt, Vivi remained motionless, the events of the past few minutes replaying in her mind. She could still feel the ghost of his touch on her skin, the heat of their passion lingering. Slowly, she reached down, her fingers brushing against her thigh, sticky with the evidence of their tryst.

When Damien finished dressing, he paused, his eyes narrowing as he took in Vivi's naked form. For a moment, she thought she saw a flicker of hesitation in his eyes, as if he, too, was struggling with the weight of their forbidden encounter.

Then, with a sharp nod, he turned and strode from the room, leaving Vivi alone with her swirling thoughts.

She stood there for a moment longer, her heart pounding in her chest. Slowly, she raised her fingers to her mouth, tasting the essence of their passion. A whispered "Sorry, Damien," escaped her lips as she conceded to her inner desires.

As Vivi stood there, the reality of what had just transpired began to sink in. She was standing in her husband's mansion, naked, having just engaged in a steamy affair with her stepson. Shame washed over her, and she quickly grabbed her dress, pulling it over her head.

Vivi made her way to the bathroom, her steps unsteady. She turned on the shower, stepping under the hot spray, letting it wash away the remnants of their encounter. As the water ran over her, she let out a shuddering breath, the events of the past few hours catching up to her.

What have I done? she thought, her hands clutching the edges of the shower stall. This was supposed to be a simple arrangement. Marry Reginald, secure her family's future, and that was it. But now, everything felt so much more complicated.

Vivi stepped out of the shower, wrapping herself in a plush towel. She caught her reflection in the mirror, her eyes puffy and red from the hot water and unshed tears. As she dried herself off, her mind wandered back to Damien.

The way he'd looked at her, touched her, made her feel... it was unlike anything she'd ever experienced before. With a heavy sigh, she slipped on a silk robe and padded barefoot to the bedroom.

"It's for the better," she muttered to herself, collapsing onto the king-sized bed. "This is how it has to be."

But even as the words left her lips, a knot formed in her stomach. Deep down, she knew the truth. Damien was the better man. Not just in bed, but in every way that mattered. He was passionate, attentive, and made her feel truly alive for the first time in years.

Vivi rolled onto her side, hugging a pillow to her chest. She thought about Reginald, her husband. She didn't know what kind of a man he was yet, but she was sure there was no spark, no connection. With Damien, it had been electric from the moment they'd met.

She closed her eyes, remembering the way Damien's hands had felt on her skin, the way his lips had trailed fire across her body. A shiver ran through her, and she bit her lip, trying to push the memories away.

"Stop it," she whispered to herself. "It's over. It has to be over."

But even as she said the words, her heart ached. She knew that Damien had awakened something in her, something she'd thought long dead. The possibility of real love, of a connection that went beyond the physical.

Vivi buried her face in the pillow, letting out a muffled groan of frustration. She was trapped, caught between duty and desire, between the life she'd agreed to and the one she truly wanted.

"What do I do!"