Riley was, of course, a man—with all the desires and weaknesses that came with it.
And right now, one of those weaknesses was staring back at him with wide, trusting eyes.
Thea lay on the bed, her cheeks tinged with pink, her breaths coming in shallow waves.
She was beautiful, undeniably so, and the sight of her willingly baring herself for him, vulnerable and open, stirred something primal deep within him.
But even then, with temptation so close, Riley held himself back.
Desire clawed at him, urging him to close the distance, to give in to instinct—but he wasn't that kind of man. Not with her.
He sat at the edge of the bed, brushing a strand of hair away from her face.
His voice was low and steady, despite the tension simmering beneath his skin.
"Are you sure about this, Thea?" he asked gently.
"Because once I begin… there's no stopping me."
Her eyes searched his for a moment, reading the sincerity in them.
