Ava swallowed, her palm resting against the rapid, thunderous beat of his heart.
"That's what happens when I'm close to you."
Her fingers curled slightly, gripping the fabric of his shirt.
"Dennis…" she breathed.
His gaze flickered to her lips, dark and hungry. "I cannot touch you. I cannot kiss you. I cannot fuck you. I cannot love you." His forehead pressed against hers, his breath mingling with her own. "And yet, the beast inside me is squeezing the last of my goddamn common sense."
Ava's heart pounded so hard she thought it might break her ribs.
"Now tell me," he rasped. "Do you want to stay?"
Ava's fingers tightened on his shirt, her pulse hammering. Her body screamed one answer. Her mind whispered the same. She loved only one man, she wanted only one man and his mark was on her neck. Maybe someday, she would get over him but not yet, and most importantly not with his brother.
Dennis was breaking.
