Killian shouldn't be looking at me like that on the basement stairs, not when his friendship with my brother is the only thing keeping him in this house. I tell myself I'm not the kind of girl who craves being claimed in secret, but the scar on my thigh aches every time he steps closer.

His fingers brush mine reaching for the light switch and the contact lingers. His forearm grazes my soft curves as his palm presses flat against the doorframe beside my head, caging me without a word. The single bulb throws shadows over the trust documents scattered near the open metal box, and I know this is the line we can't uncross.

I should push him away before my brother's trust shatters, but the thought of him leaving me untouched hurts worse than any rejection I've ever feared.