Dominic didn't let her go home that night.
"You're staying with me," he said.
"That's not necessary."
"It is."
"And if I say no?"
His gaze locked onto hers.
"I won't let you."
Ava opened her mouth to argue—
Then stopped.
Because this time… she didn't want to.
His penthouse felt different that night.
Not cold.
Not distant.
But charged.
Like something unspoken lingered in the air.
"You can take the bedroom," he said.
"And you?"
"I'll be here."
Ava hesitated.
"Or," she said slowly, "you could stop pretending this distance matters."
Dominic's eyes darkened.
"Ava…"
She stepped closer.
"No more half-truths. No more holding back."
Her heart pounded.
"If this is dangerous… then stop acting like we're not already in it."
Silence.
Then—
He closed the distance.