His kiss deepened, months of restraint yearning in a single breath. Ava’s fingers dug into his shoulders, pulling him closer, desperate to make up for every moment they’d lost. Edward’s hands moved over her like a man starved, memorizing what he’d once sworn to forget.
“Edward…” she breathed against his mouth, her voice trembling.
He broke the kiss, resting his forehead against hers, his breath ragged. “You have no idea how many nights I dreamed of this,” he whispered. “How many times I stopped myself because of that damned contract.”
Her eyes softened, shimmering in the silver light. “We both did,” she whispered. “Pretended it didn’t hurt. Pretended we didn’t need this.”
He brushed his thumb over her lips, voice low and rough. “I tried to convince myself I could stay away. That I coul
