“Why are you avoiding me, Liora?” Ashvin whispered, his voice low and dangerously close to her lips. His grip tightened as he held her wrists above her head, pinning her firmly against the wall. The proximity between them was overwhelming, his breath warm against her skin, his presence consuming.

Liora’s breath hitched as she felt him shift closer, his body pressing into hers. When his leg moved, gently but deliberately forcing hers apart, a shiver ran through her despite herself. Her eyes flut