Sunrise Kisses

No better way to start off the day than Sunrise Kisses...Ava Fairchild was sure that she'd never find love.Seemingly lost in a sea of self-pity, she was delighted when her appraisal company was given a job in the Caribbean. A once-in-a-lifetime trip to appraise Sebastian Belrose's billion-dollar estate seemed to be exactly what she needed to relax and enjoy herself.A walk to the beach at dawn gave her a first impression of the billionaire himself, paddle boarding on the gentle waves. He was reserved and mysterious, and Ava wanted to know all of his secrets. His evasiveness and the fact that he forbade her from traveling to his Study just added to his allure, while simultaneously reminding her about the secrets that destroyed her last relationship. Still, every sunrise that they shared together made her fall more desperately in love with him.But Bastian had a reason for keeping to himself. And as Ava saw the scars that criss-crossed his body, she knew that what she had found was a soul not unlike herself. A man who had been damaged. A man who deserved to trust. A man that deserved to love, and to be loved. Would this beauty be able to tame the beast, or would they be left with just memories of sunrise kisses?<hr>“Thank you,” I whispered. “You saved me.”I leaned forward and kissed him. It started innocently enough, but the adrenaline and fear mixed with gratitude and attraction overwhelmed me. I found my tongue pushing to enter his mouth, wanting his in mine and my hands pressing into his broad chest for more.He pulled back, grabbing my wrists and holding me in place.“I don't want to hurt you,” he groaned, fighting with his own desire. “I don't want to take advantage.”I pushed harder against him, imploring with him with my eyes not to stop. “Please,” I begged, unable to fight my attraction for him. His chivalrous refusal not to take advantage only made it that much harder. I wanted him even more. “Please...”His brow softened. He picked at a loose strand of hair by my cheek, carefully tucking it behind my ear. His eyes absorbed me, trying to decide if I really was asking.“Please, Bastian...” I whispered one more time. The sound of his name was his undoing. He kissed me just as the car pulled to a stop in front of the house. It was a short kiss, but full of raw passion.He had my seat-belt undone in an instant, picking me up in his arms and carrying me up the steps to the main entrance. Elijah opened the door, but that was the last I saw of him as Bastian carried me up the stairs and to his bedroom, kissing me the entire way...