Ava’s POV
I woke to warmth. A steady, solid heat pressed against me, anchoring me in a way that made my still-drowsy mind hesitate between sleep and wakefulness. My fingers flexed against something firm—broad. Familiar.
Liam.
The realization struck me just as the events of the night before crashed back in. The fear. The chase. The way my pulse had pounded in my throat as I forced myself not to run, not to let the panic consume me.
And now—this.
I was on top of him.
His arms were wrapped around me, his grip firm but not restraining. His scent—warm cedar and something distinctly him—wrapped around me, grounding me in ways I hadn’t known I needed.
I sucked in a breath, my body stiffening, but he didn’t let me go. Instead, his fingers curled slightly where they rested against my lower b
