There are moments in life that ache so deeply they seem unbearable yet somehow, within that pain, something achingly beautiful still exists.
This was one of those moments.
Jacqueline had never once imagined that Damien would say things like this to her. Somewhere deep inside, she had always believed it was impossible.
And yet here they were.
Sitting so close together that she could feel the warmth of his body, while he laid his heart bare before her.
"I fought it so damn hard," Damien rasped, his voice thick with emotion. "But you were too bright… too tempting. Eventually, I gave in."
Jacqueline could hear her own heartbeat thundering in her ears.
She didn't speak.
Perhaps she couldn't.
Or perhaps she was afraid that saying anything might shatter this fragile, precious moment between them.
"Will you be my woman, Jacq?"
The question struck her like a wave.
Her heart twisted painfully caught between overwhelming happiness and a strange ache she couldn't explain.
