“I'm so, so sorry. I don't deserve it, but give me a chance." he squeezes me hard. "I need another chance.”

“I love it. Reminds me of you." "It reminds me of a man I don't like." I never want to hear it again. "I'm sorry." He nips at my neck, drawing his tongue up the length to my jawbone. "My arse is dead.”

“Better?" he asks as he looks up at me. "I'm sorry. For everything, Ava.”

“The sex is just sex. I can't get close enough to you. The control is because I'm frightened to death that something will happen to you...that you'll be taken away from me. I've waited too long for you, Ava. I'll do anything to keep you safe. I've lived a life with little control or care. Believe me, I need you..please...please don't leave me.”

“I can't believe you're in my life, I can't believe you're mine. You are so, so precious to me, baby.”

“I don't know what I've done to deserve you.”

“Don't mess with me, Ava," he says smugly, "You should know by now I always win.”