Liam’s POV
The moment Ava pulled away, my arms ached with the absence of her warmth. But I let her go. I had to.
She sat up, her fingers tightening in the blanket as if anchoring herself. For a second, she hesitated, like she wanted to say something, but then she just swallowed and shook her head.
“I need to get ready,” she murmured.
I pushed myself up, watching as she moved around the room, pulling a sweater over her head and tying her hair back. I should’ve looked away, given her space, but I couldn’t. Not after last night.
Not after the way I found her—cornered, terrified, and barely holding on.
Ava Hart had always been strong. She didn’t let people see her falter. But I’d seen the fear in her eyes. And now, all I could think about was the way she had melted against me, the way sh
