The Billionaire's Intern (Maya Thompson) novel Chapter 136

Chapter 68: A Kiss Worth Everything-1

After a bottle of vodka and more stories that had everyone laughing and sharing, the night wound down. One by one, they called it quits and retreated back to their rooms, the soft shuffle of footsteps and closing doors marking the end of the evening.

Before they dispersed, Trina gathered her team with a quick reminder. “Alright, ladies – don’t forget, 8 a.m. sharp in the lobby tomorrow. We’ll have breakfast together first, then start prepping for the shoot. Let’s be ready to bring our A-game.”

The group murmured their agreements, some still smiling from the night’s fun, others already feeling the weight of the busy day ahead.

Maya lingered a moment longer by the fire, the last embers glowing like fading stars. She let the warmth of the night settle in her bones, grounding her. Tomorrow would come-with its demands and lights and camera flashes-but for now, this quiet belonged to her.

Then Damien sat beside her.

No words. No fanfare. Just the soft shift of weight on the cushion, and the low hum of his presence folding into hers. Around them, the fire crackled faintly, the ocean whispering in the distance-an intimate soundtrack to a night slipping into stillness.

She didn’t have to look to know it was him. She felt him in her skin.

He glanced her way. Firelight gilded his profile in flickering golds and shadows. The air between them thickened-tender, charged. As if the whole world had paused, waiting.

“Damien,” she said softly.

He turned his head, surprised by the sound of his name on her lips. “Hmm?”

She drew in a slow breath, letting the salty breeze fill her lungs-as if it could carry away the last of her hesitation. Earlier, she’d watched the women around her laugh without fear, own their stories, live unfiltered. For the first time in a long time, it had stirred something inside her. Bravery. Desire.

A quiet voice, laced with vulnerability, slipped from her lips-barely above a whisper.

“I don’t know what this is… or where it might lead,” she said, her fingers curling into the fabric of her dress. “I don’t know the end game-if there even is one. But…”

Her eyes met his-steady now, despite the storm inside her. Skin tingling from how close he sat. Heart pounding.

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kita per të. A Russ Worth Everything-1

“This is the risk I’m willing to take. With you.”

Claim

The words slipped out like a breath she’d been holding for years. And then silence-stretched and charged-settled around them, thick as the heat in her chest.

Their eyes locked. Fully. Finally.

And held.

Damien didn’t move.

Didn’t speak.

His gaze searched hers-slow and reverent-like he was memorizing her. Like he couldn’t quite believe she was real.

A soul he didn’t believe he deserved… but ached for all the same.

The firelight carved golden shadows across his face as his hand rose-unhurried, sure- fingers curling beneath her chin. Tilting her toward him with a touch so gentle it made her chest tighten.

His voice when it came was a low, rough thing. Intimate. Possessive.

“The end game is us,” he murmured, thumb brushing lightly along her jaw.

“And I’m the only one who gets to be your first.”

The truth was, she’d never had a first kiss. Not because she hadn’t wanted to-but because no one had ever made her feel safe enough to want it – Until now.

Then-slowly-he leaned in and kissed her.

Not hard. Not rushed.

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