Chapter 4

Ava's POV 

I woke up to the smell of fresh coffee and the weight of three strong arms still around me. My body was sore in the sweetest way, like every muscle remembered last night. Marcus was curled up behind me, his chest against my back, one hand resting low on my stomach. Damien was on my other side, face buried in my neck, and Lucas was already up, making breakfast in the kitchen like he belonged there. The red rose was still on my pillow, its note burning a hole in my mind.

I slipped out of bed quietly and pulled on one of Marcus’s shirts. It smelled like him, and that made my chest tighten. When I walked into the kitchen, the guys were already there. Lucas handed me a mug without a word. His eyes met mine for a second, and I felt that pull again, like he saw straight through all the lies I told myself.

“Thanks,” I said, taking the mug. My voice came out small.

Marcus kissed the top of my head. “You don’t have to thank us, beautiful. You’re home now.”

Damien grinned over his coffee. “Speaking of home… think Derek will notice we slept in the guest wing last night?”

I almost choked on my coffee. “He can’t know. He’d flip.”

Lucas leaned against the counter, arms crossed. “He won’t. Not yet. We made sure of that.”

We ate in silence for a while, but my mind was already racing. Derek had been acting strange lately. Last night when he came home he barely looked at me. Just walked past, kissed the top of my head like I was furniture, and went straight to his office. I told myself it was fine. It had always been like this. But after last night… I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

That afternoon I stayed in my room, pretending to work on some emails. My phone was on silent. I heard Derek’s footsteps in the hallway, then the click of his office door. My stomach twisted. I waited five minutes, then grabbed my keys and slipped out the back way. No one saw me. The mansion was huge, and the staff were busy with the new guests.

His office was at the end of the west wing. I pressed my ear to the door. Voices inside. Derek’s voice, loud and sharp.

“Shipment’s leaving tomorrow night. Tell the boys to hit the warehouse on Dock 7. No loose ends. I want every truck gone before sunrise.”

A second voice answered. “Boss, the three new guys… Kane and his crew. You really bringing them in?”

Derek laughed. “They’re useful. Stayed in that hotel with Ava, remember? They saw her. They’re invested now. Make sure they get whatever they need. That girl’s my wife, but she’s not exactly happy with me. A little distraction won’t hurt.”

I froze. My hand shook on the doorknob. Shipment. Warehouse. Dock 7. That sounded like drugs. Or something worse. My heart pounded so loud I was sure they could hear it through the wood.

I backed away fast, boots silent on the carpet. I turned the corner and nearly ran straight into Marcus. He was standing there like he’d been waiting for me. Tall, dark eyes locked on mine, that intense look from the bar still in his face.

“Ava,” he said quietly. “You were in there.”

I jumped. “Marcus… I didn’t mean to”

He didn’t let me finish. He grabbed my wrist and pulled me into his arms. His mouth found mine, slow and deep, like he was trying to wash away the bad things I just heard. His tongue slid against mine, gentle but hungry. I moaned into his kiss, my hands fisting in his shirt.

“You’re not as cold as your husband,” he whispered against my lips when we broke apart. “Not really. I saw it in your eyes last night. You’re burning inside. Let me warm you up.”

My breath came fast. “Marcus… what if someone sees?”

“Nobody’s coming in here,” he said. “Not now.”

He walked me backward until my back hit the desk. Papers scattered. He didn’t care. His hands slid under Derek’s shirt, palms hot on my skin. I shivered. He smiled.

“Feel that?” he murmured. “Your skin’s on fire. Same as last night.”

He kissed me again, slower this time. Deeper. His tongue traced my bottom lip, then pushed inside. I tasted coffee and mint and something that was just him. One hand cupped my breast through my dress, thumb brushing my nipple until it hardened. I gasped into his mouth.

“You like that,” he said, voice low and rough. “I knew you would. Tell me how it feels, beautiful.”

“It feels… good,” I whispered, my voice shaking. “Like no one’s ever touched me like this.”

He groaned softly. “No one ever has. Not the way I do.” His other hand slid down my body, cupping me between my legs. “You’re wet already. Fuck, Ava. I can feel how much you need this.”

His fingers pressed against my panties, rubbing slow circles. I bit my lip to keep quiet. My hips moved on their own. He kissed me again, swallowing every little moan I tried to hold back.

“Stay still,” he whispered. “Let me feel you. Let me feel how your body remembers us.”

I tried. I really did. But my knees were weak. His hand slipped under my dress, finding my bare skin. He rubbed me through my panties, then pushed them aside. His fingers slid between my folds, teasing my clit. I moaned louder than I meant to.

“Quiet,” he said, but he didn’t stop. His mouth was back on mine, kissing me deep while his fingers circled and stroked. “You taste so fucking good. So wet for me. Is that because of me, or because of him?”

“Because of you,” I breathed against his lips. “I don’t know… it’s like I can’t stop.”

He hummed. “Good. Because I’m not stopping.” His finger slid inside me, slow and deep. I clenched around him, my whole body shaking. “Look at me, Ava. Eyes on me. Don’t close them.”

I opened my eyes. His were dark, intense, burning. He fucked me with his finger while he kissed me, slow and steady. Every stroke made my breath catch. My hands were on his shoulders, holding on.

“You’re so tight,” he whispered. “So hot around me. I could do this all night.”

I came hard. Not loud, but deep. My thighs shook, and I bit his shoulder to stay quiet. He held me through it, stroking me until the last wave passed.

He pulled his finger out and brought it to his mouth, tasting me. “Mmm. Perfect.”

Before I could catch my breath, there was a soft knock on the door. Then Lucas’s voice, low and calm. “Marcus? Ava? You in there?”

Marcus didn’t move. He just looked at me, eyes glowing with something dangerous. Something that looked a lot like a warning.

Lucas opened the door slowly. He took one look at us me flushed, dress wrinkled, Marcus’s hand still between my legs and his face changed. His eyes narrowed, glowing with that dangerous light.

He stepped inside and closed the door behind him. “We need to talk,” he said quietly. “Now.”

My heart slammed against my ribs. I didn’t know what he saw. But I knew one thing for sure.

This was no longer just secret touches.

It was a war.

And we were already losing.