Chapter 8: At all costs 

(Damon's POV)

I drove out of the parking lot with only one thought consuming me—Ava.

How the hell did I end up like this? Completely drawn to the one woman I should never want? No matter how much I tried to fight it, the pull was relentless. Even when I told myself to stay away, the way her eyes held me captive kept dragging me back in.

Maybe she felt it too. Maybe she didn’t.

My grip tightened on the steering wheel as I replayed our argument, the way she’d glared at me with fire in her eyes as if she wanted to tear me apart. My chest clenched at the memory, but instead of anger, all I felt was hunger.

I should be mad. Shouldn’t I? But I wasn’t.

Ava had done something to me. That fire in her eyes only made me crave her more. It made me want to touch her, to feel her, to pull her into my arms and claim her. I had seen her angry, and now my body wouldn't stop imagining what she’d look like if I made her fall apart beneath me in pleasure.

I exhaled sharply, shaking my head as I pulled into an empty parking space. My body was betraying me. I hadn't realized how impossible it was to let go of a woman—until now.

Leaning back against the seat, I was about to close my eyes when my phone vibrated in my pocket. My first thought was Ava. Maybe she needed me. Maybe she was in trouble.

I fumbled for my phone, only for my stomach to sink when I saw Adrianna’s name on the screen. The anticipation drained from me instantly, replaced by a dull sense of obligation. Still, I forced a smile and answered.

“Hello, dear,” I said.

“Darling,” she cooed playfully, followed by a sigh. “It feels like I’ve been away for years. I just can’t wait to be back in your arms.”

“I miss you too, darling,” I replied automatically.

“I actually called to say a huge thank you for dropping Ava off. But now that I’ve heard your voice, I might just book an earlier flight home so I can see you.”

“You don’t have to do that,” I said quickly. “You’re on a business trip. I get it. Don’t worry about me, okay? I miss you too, but we can wait.”

“I can’t imagine how hard it must be for you, baby… staying in that house all alone without your wife,” Adrianna mused.

I swallowed, my throat suddenly dry. “Don’t worry about me. Just take care of yourself.”

“Maybe when I get back, we can go to the beach,” she suggested. “Just you, me, and the sun.”

“Really?” I forced out, trying to sound enthusiastic. But deep down, the idea of spending time with her felt… empty. The only person I wanted by my side, under the sun, under me was Ava.

“It’s a good idea, isn’t it?” she asked.

I chuckled, though it was hollow. “Yeah… it’s a good one.”

“Well, I have to go now. Take care of yourself, okay? I love you,” she said before ending the call.

I let my head fall back against the seat as a heavy weight settled in my chest.

I had just spoken to my wife, and I felt nothing. No excitement. No warmth. No longing. It was like talking to a stranger. That spark—a man’s instinct to crave his woman, to be consumed by her presence was gone.

And I hadn’t even noticed until now.

Talking to Adrianna had started to feel like a chore. I’d barely been able to keep the smile in my voice, barely holding onto the conversation. If anything, I had been relieved when it ended.

I let out a bitter laugh. “What have you done to me, Ava?” I muttered, running a hand down my face.

The worst part? When my phone rang, I didn’t think of my wife. I thought of Ava. I didn’t wonder how Adrianna was doing if she had eaten if she was okay. I had completely forgotten she even existed.

This wasn’t right.

I should want my wife. I should be faithful. But no matter how much I told myself that, my heart, my body, my very soul craved only one thing.

Ava. 

Maybe I was being delusional. Maybe I was being reckless. Maybe Ava would never be mine. She was never supposed to be mine.

I should forget her. Well, I tried.

But every time I closed my eyes, it was her face I saw. Every time I breathed, it was her scent I imagined. Every time I tried to fight it, the desire only grew stronger.

And then, just like that, the guilt faded. Desire swallowed it whole.

A slow smirk tugged at my lips.

"Push me away all you want, Ava," I murmured, my fingers tightening around the steering wheel. "I won’t stop. You could run to the ends of the earth, and I’d still chase you."

The truth was, I couldn’t stop.

I couldn’t stop my hands from aching to touch her. I couldn’t stop my lips from yearning to taste her. I couldn’t stop my body from craving hers like an addiction I had no control over.

I wanted it. I wanted her.

I wanted to hear her moan my name. I wanted to see those stubborn legs part for me. I wanted her fingers clawing down my back, her hands tangled in my hair as she begged for more.

A low groan escaped me as the image played in my mind, vivid and intoxicating. I didn’t care if it ruined me. Well, Something must kill a man.

And if that something was Ava, then I’d gladly let her destroy me. I would do whatever it took to make her mine.

Even if it meant making her an offer she couldn’t refuse.

Because I am a man. And when I want a woman, I make sure I have her, even if she’s my wife’s sister.