Page 119 of Shadowed Vows: Ghost
Ijolt awake, my hand already reaching for the gun on the nightstand. Someone's in the penthouse. Alina stirs beside me as I sit up, weapon trained on the shadowy figure by the door.
"Don't move," I growl, my finger steady on the trigger.
The intruder raises his hands slowly. "It's me."
I blink, recognition dawning. "Damian? What the hell?"
Alina sits up and gasps, clutching the sheets to her chest. "How did you even get in here?"
I lower the gun but keep it close.
Damian's mouth quirks slightly. "Training." His gravelly voice is barely audible as his eyes scan the room with clinical precision.
I scrub a hand over my face, adrenaline still pumping. "How'd you get in here?"
"You taught me." He remains motionless against the doorframe, unfazed by having stared down my gun barrel moments ago.
"Ten hours. No contact." His gray eyes flick between Alina and me, a single eyebrow raising. "Thought Steele got to you."
Alina shifts beside me, her tone sharp. "Do you always just waltz into people's bedrooms uninvited?"
"Only when necessary." Damian's expression remains unchanged, but a dark amusement flashes in his eyes.
"Though this is... unexpected." His gaze settles on me, the unspoken observation hanging in the air between us.
Alina's cheeks flush. I put myself between her and Damian's knowing gaze.
I glance at the clock. 10:56. I run a hand through my hair, frustration warring with embarrassment.
"Shit. We'll be there in thirty." My tone leaves no room for argument.
Damian nods once, pushing off the wall. "Team was concerned."
"Damian," I call after him. He pauses, looking back. "Next time, call first."
The corner of his mouth twitches.
"Noted." He turns to leave, then stops. "Five minutes."
As the door closes behind him, I let out a long breath.
He's been here five minutes? I'm slipping.
I wait until I hear the elevator doors close before setting the gun down. Alina's watching me, her green eyes wide.
"So," she says, a hint of humor in her voice. "Is this a typical morning for you?"
I collapse back onto the bed, my heart still racing from the unexpected intrusion. The soft sheets feel cool against my skin as I try to steady my breathing. A chuckle escapes my lips, the sound surprisingly light in the tense aftermath.
"Typical morning? Not even close," I admit, running a hand through my hair. "I'm usually at CPG headquarters before the sun's up."
Alina shifts beside me, her warmth radiating against my side. The mattress dips as she moves, and suddenly she's straddling my hips. Her weight settles on me, sending a surge of desire through my body.
"Well," she says, a mischievous glint in her eye, "since we're already running late, want to take a shower?"
A groan rumbles in my chest, equal parts temptation and frustration. "If we shower together, we'll never make it to headquarters."
My hands find her waist, thumbs tracing small circles on her soft skin. My body responds instantly.
