( Ava's POV )
The house was quiet, almost deceptively so.
Ava sat on the edge of her bed, fingers tangled in her hair, trying to process what had just happened. Her chest was still tight, her pulse racing, and her mind felt like it had been set on fire. The kiss, the possessive heat in Brian’s touch, the way he’d claimed her so completely, it wasn’t just desire. It was something darker, something thrilling, something forbidden.
She hated herself for wanting it. She hated herself for thinking about it. She hated herself for knowing that she would give in again if he looked at her the same way.
But she also couldn’t stop thinking about him.
Downstairs, Brian was leaning against the counter in the kitchen, arms crossed, watching the quiet house like a predator surveying his territory. Th
