The heat in the room was no longer subtle.
It wrapped around everything.
The desk.
The air.
The space between Kendrick and Damian.
Damian sat on the edge of the desk now, breathing slowly, trying to force his body to calm down.
It was not working.
His omega instincts had begun to stir fully.
And that was dangerous.
Very dangerous.
Kendrick stood several feet away near the window, both hands resting against the cool glass behind him.
Distance.
He needed distance.
But it did not matter.
Damian's scent still reached him.
Warm.
Sweet.
Addictive.
And every second it grew stronger.
Kendrick closed his eyes briefly.
Control.
He had spent his entire life mastering control.
Business negotiations.
Corporate takeovers.
Political alliances.
Nothing had ever shaken that control.
Until now.
Behind him, Damian shifted.
"Kendrick…"
His voice sounded softer than usual.
Unsteady.
Kendrick did not turn around immediately.
"Yes?"
