Ava closed her eyes, turning her head aside. "Dylan, please," she pleaded, her voice shaking.
"Do you have any idea how much I missed you?" he murmured, his gaze lingering on her lips.
"Dylan…" She wriggled.
"Shh…" His grip on her wrists tightened slightly. "I've prepared a gift for you. I haven't shown it to you yet."
"I'll check tomorrow." Ava wanted to get out of his grasp. She was afraid he would force himself on her under the influence of alcohol. "You need to rest. Please."
"Mm, okay," he agreed like an obedient child, but he didn't release her.
"Can you sleep now?" she ventured cautiously. "I am tired."
Dylan didn't reply. He caressed her cheek as if he hadn't heard what she had just said. "You are beautiful," he whispered, "just like you used to be."
As soon as he finished speaking, he pressed his lips against hers. It wasn't the fiery, possessive kiss she had prepared herself to resist, but a gentle caress that caught her off guard.
