The Billionaire's Intern (Maya Thompson) novel Chapter 432

Chapter 191: Reckless Together-1

Maya lingered in the steam-filled bathroom, lost in a soft, almost hypnotic trance.

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Damien noticed the silence stretching between them. Concern laced his voice as he broke through her thoughts. “What’s wrong, love?”

She shook her head, a gentle smile touching her lips. “Oh… it’s nothing.”

He stepped closer, worry etched in the line of his jaw. “Are you sure?”

Maya nodded. “Mm-hmm.”

For a moment, Damien let it be, though his gaze lingered on her, searching. In quiet doubt, he didn’t push further.

They stepped out of the shower as the last of the steam drifted away, cooler air brushing against their damp skin and pulling them gently back to reality.

As they dried themselves, Maya lingered, her fingers twisting the edge of her towel. She hesitated

for a moment, then spoke softly, almost as if testing the words.

“Um… I… I was thinking,” she began, her voice gentle, “I could take the online courses while Jaime’s

resting. Maybe do some reading… keep up with everything.”

“That’s a good idea, love,” Damien said, brushing a stray damp strand from her shoulder. “I’ll

probably need to step away for a few hours a day for work anyway, so that’ll keep you busy.

Although… I doubt Harper will ever let you have a dull moment.’

Maya let out a soft exhale, a chuckle escaping her lips despite herself.

“Yeah… you’re right. I just thought it would be convenient.” She hesitated, a shy pause lingering before she added, “Um… love? I was just wondering if it’s okay if I bring the laptop with me.” Her gaze lifted to his, a small, hopeful smile playing at her lips.

Damien blinked at her, genuinely caught off guard.

“Are you asking me for permission?” he asked, genuinely baffled.

A faint blush crept up her neck. “Yes, Because… well…”

“Because what?” His tone wasn’t sharp – just intent, expectant.

“The laptop I’m using is company-issued,” she admitted, eyes dropping briefly. “I don’t want to assume. I don’t want to overstep or–”

His hand came up, warm and firm, cupping her jaw and gently stilling the spiral of words.

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hapter 191 Reckless Together I

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“No, no… stop asking,” he said, a faint crease forming between his brows. “You don’t answer to me.

You don’t answer to anyone. If it’s mine, it’s yours. That’s how this works.”

His thumb traced along her jaw, steady and certain, his eyes softening as he held her gaze.

“You never need to ask permission, okay?” His voice was low, steady, a warm firmness threaded with tenderness. “Do whatever you want… love, whatever makes your life yours.”

He let his hand linger against her cheek, letting the pause stretch between them.

Then, softer but no less certain, he added, “You will not put your life on hold for anyone anymore. Not even me. Do you understand?”

The words weren’t a command.

They were a promise.

Her expression softened, but her gaze stayed steady.

“I… I understand what you mean,” she said quietly, “but I don’t regret the decisions I made before. I

did what I believed was right. What needed to be done at the time.”

She lifted her hand, placing it over his, then let her palm slide to his jaw, holding him the way he

held her.

“I paused my life to extend Jaime’s,” she continued. “And if I had to do it all over again… I would.”

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