With a final scornful look, Nathaniel strode away.


    Reba stared at his back, her eyes burning with hatred. He despised her, but she felt no less resentment toward him.


    Every day she endured his torment, desperate to escape this life. If she could go back, she''d never have let Nathaniel into her life.


    When Nathaniel returned to his study, he immediately called Damon to recount everything Reba had just told him.


    "Sounds like Drake might not have any ill intentions toward N," he ventured.


    Damon tapped rhythmically on his desk, his eyes cast down. "Thanks, but this doesn''t really add up to what I need."


    Nathaniel knew Reba''s vague answers were hardly useful, so he said, "I wasn''t nning to get anything out of this. I''ll get Reba to reach out to Drake again, see if we can dig deeper. Then we''ll talk."


    "Sure," Damon answered.


    Damon hung up and set his phone down, a cold glint in his eyes. He only wanted peace with N, yet trouble seemed to find them again and again.


    If that were the case, he''d just have to eliminate each disturbance as it arose.


    ...


    It was nearly midnight by the time Damon returned to the bedroom.


    N was sitting up with a book, her face calm and serene in the softmplight. Hearing the door, she looked up with a gentle smile.


    "Work all done?" she asked.


    Damon nodded. "Mm. Why''re you still up?"


    "I was waiting for you," she replied.


    Warmth filled Damon''s heart. "Next time, don''t wait. If I''m working toote, I''ll sleep in the study."


    N ignored hisment, and her voice remained soft as she urged, "Go shower. You must be tired."


    "All right," Damon answered.


    He grabbed a set of pajamas and headed into the bathroom.


    As the shower ran, N closed her book, cing it on the nightstand. She reached for her phone, ying a quick game to pass the time.


    Soon, the water stopped, and Damon emerged in his pajamas, toweling his damp hair. Once he was done, he climbed into bed.


    As the bed sank with his weight and the scent of his after-shower lingered, the air felt damp.


    N reached for Damon''s hair and


    found it


    half-dried. She


    "Let me dry your hair.


    you might catch someth


    offered,


    Damon usually let his short hair air-dry, but seeing the concern in N''s eyes, his gaze softened. "All right."


    N retrieved the hairdryer and motioned for Damon to sit in front of her. "Come here."


    As she gently ran her fingers through his hair, the hairdryer buzzed quietly between them.


    The only sound in the room was the warm rush of air, the soft glow of the bedsidemp casting a cozy light over them.


    N''s fingers brushed Damon''s ear


    asionally, sending a slight shiver down his spine His gaze locked onto her, a sudden intensity flickering in his eyes.


    Caught by the heat in Damon''s gaze, N felt a blush creep up her cheeks, her


    fingers momentarily stiffening around the hairdryer.


    She bit her lip, a simple movement that seemed to enme the air between them.


    Damon''s eyes darkened. N''s lips,


    slightly pale but now tinged with


    pink from her own bite, appeared


    tempting as a blooming rose it was


    impossible to resist.


    Without another thought, his hand slipped around her waist, pulling her into his


    embrace.