( Brian's POV )
The morning sunlight filtered through the blinds, painting stripes across the kitchen floor. Lily was still asleep, sprawled across the couch with a blanket tangled around her legs. The quiet gave the house a false sense of calm, but Ava could feel the tension in the air.
She poured herself a cup of coffee and tried to ignore the subtle heat in her chest, but it was impossible. Brian was already in the kitchen, leaning against the counter with his own mug in hand. Casual, relaxed, but impossibly alert. Every inch of him radiated control, possession, and desire, all of which seemed directed at her.
She tried to focus on the coffee, but she couldn’t. She felt the weight of his gaze even before she dared to glance at him.
“Morning,” he said softly, voice low and smooth,
