The next morning was torture.

Lila tried to act normal, tried to smile through breakfast and join in Claire’s cheerful chatter, but her mind was still caught on what had almost happened the night before.

Every time she looked at Ethan, she saw the moment when his face had been inches from hers, saw the hunger he’d barely managed to choke down.

And he was pretending too.

He poured coffee, asked about her plans for the day, made casual conversation like nothing was wrong. But his jaw was ...