Chapter 70: Cold Shower, Cold Heart (Liam's POV)

The scent of garlic and lemon zest hung in the air, a tantalizing aroma that mingled with Ava's laughter. I watched her flit around my kitchen, her movements a graceful dance, her smile a beacon that lit up the room. The playful chase, the accidental tumble onto the sofa, it all felt like a scene from a romantic comedy, a perfect moment of connection and burgeoning love.And then, it all went wrong.As I landed on top of her, our bodies pressed together, a wave of desire crashed over me, fierce and undeniable. The warmth of her skin against mine, the scent of her hair, the way her eyes sparkled with a mix of excitement and apprehension – it was intoxicating.I couldn't help myself. I reached for her, my touch gentle yet possessive, my voice husky with longing. "Ava," I whispered, "you have no idea what you do to me."Her response, a breathless question mirroring my own desire, sent a thrill through me. I leaned in, my lips brushing against hers, savoring the sweetness of the moment, the promise of something deeper, something more.But then, panic seized me. A cold dread washed over me, a stark reminder of my past, of the vulnerability that had led to heartbreak and betrayal. The fear of rejection, of ruining this fragile connection we were building, gripped me with an intensity that made me recoil.I pulled away, mumbling an apology, my actions clumsy and uncoordinated. I stumbled towards the bathroom, the need for a cold shower, both literally and figuratively, overwhelming me.The icy water cascaded over me, a stark contrast to the fire that raged within. I cursed my impulsiveness, my inability to control the desires that threatened to overwhelm me. I had scared her, I knew. My sudden retreat, my unexplained panic, must have seemed like a rejection, a confirmation of her deepest insecurities.I emerged from the shower, a towel wrapped around my waist, my hair still damp. The apartment was silent, the playful atmosphere replaced by an unsettling emptiness.Ava was gone.A wave of despair washed over me, a bitter taste of regret filling my mouth. I had ruined everything. My fear, my inability to confront my own demons, had driven her away.I sank onto the edge of the bathtub, my head buried in my hands. I had been so close, so close to breaking free from the shackles of my past, to embracing the love that Ava offered so freely. But my own insecurities, my fear of vulnerability, had sabotaged everything.I had hurt her, I knew. And the thought of the pain I had caused, the tears I had brought to her eyes, filled me with a self-loathing that was as cold and unforgiving as the shower I had just endured.I had to fix this, to find a way to explain, to apologize, to convince her that my retreat wasn't a rejection, but a desperate attempt to protect myself, to protect us.But how? How could I make her understand the turmoil within me, the battle between my desire and my fear? How could I convince her that my love for her was real, that it was stronger than the ghosts of my past?I had a long night ahead of me, a night filled with regret, self-recrimination, and the daunting task of rebuilding the trust I had so carelessly broken. But I wouldn't give up. I couldn't. Ava was worth fighting for, worth facing my demons for. And I wouldn't rest until I had won her back, until I had proven that my love for her was stronger than any fear, any insecurity, any ghost from the past.