The touch was soft at first.
Fingers gliding up her legs, slow, deliberate.
Ava stirred, her mind floating between sleep and wakefulness. The weight of the blankets pressed against her body, warm and heavy.
Another touch.
Higher.
Her breath hitched.
Her eyes fluttered open—
And she froze.
Austin.
Kneeling at the foot of her bed. His hands tracing up her legs.
Her stomach plunged into ice.
"W—what…?" Her voice barely worked.
Austin smiled. Calm. Pleased.
"Shh." His fingers pressed against her thigh, trapping her in place.
Ava's heartbeat slammed against her ribs.
This wasn't happening.
This wasn't real.
But she could feel it.
The heat of his skin. The weight of his hands.
Her breath came too fast.
She tried to move, but her body wouldn't listen.
Her muscles locked, frozen in place.
"No."
"No, no, no, no—"
Austin tilted his head, fingers sliding higher.
"What's wrong?" His voice was mocking, sweet.
