"If we do this," I warn, voice like gravel, "there's no going back. Not for me."
Understanding dawns in her eyes, the recognition that I'm not built for casual affairs or temporary arrangements. That if I take this step, it will be with the full force of my nature, all-consuming and absolute.
"Good," she whispers. "Because I'm not going anywhere."
The last thread of my resistance snaps. I pull her against me, one hand tangling in her hair as our lips finally, finally meet.
Fire explodes through my veins at the first taste of her. She makes a small, desperate sound against my mouth, her body melting into mine as if she's been waiting for this touch her entire life. Perhaps she has. Perhaps we both have.
I kiss her with the restrained hunger of a man who's denied himself too long, learning the shape of her mouth, the sweet taste of her. She matches me perfectly, her arms winding around my neck, body arching into mine.
When we break apart, both breathing hard, I rest my forehead against hers. Reality crashes back, bringing with it all the reasons this is wrong, all the complications we'll face. But I can't find it in me to care.
Not with Riley in my arms, looking at me like I've given her the stars themselves.
"We shouldn't have done that," I murmur, not moving an inch.
"Probably not." A smile curves her lips. "Want to do it again?"
Despite everything, I laugh. A genuine laugh that feels foreign in my throat but right in my chest. In that moment, I see what I've been fighting: not just desire, but happiness. The possibility of joy I'd convinced myself I didn't deserve.
"You'll be the death of me, Riley Hart." I brush a strand of hair from her face, memorizing every detail of this moment.
"Maybe." Her eyes sparkle with mischief and something deeper, more serious. "But isn’t that how you’d want to go?"
She rises on tiptoes to press her lips to mine again, and I'm lost. Lost in the softness of her mouth, the warmth of her body against mine, the certainty that I've crossed a line I swore never to cross.
And finding, to my surprise, that I don't regret it at all.
Dawn breaks gradually,painting the mountains in hues of pink and gold. I've been awake for hours, watching the slow transformation of night to day, Riley's sleeping form curled against my side on the couch where we spent the remainder of the night.
We didn't go further than kisses, heated, desperate kisses that tested every ounce of my control, but kisses nonetheless. Some line I couldn't yet cross, despite her willingness. Some final barrier of honor or guilt I haven't fully dismantled.
She stirs against me, eyelids fluttering as she joins the waking world. For a moment, confusion clouds her features. Then memory returns, and she smiles up at me with such open happiness that it steals my breath.
"Morning," she murmurs, voice husky with sleep.
"Morning." I brush hair from her face, allowing myself the luxury of touching her freely. "Sleep okay?"
"Better than I have in months." She stretches like a cat, unself-conscious in her movements. "Though this couch isn't exactly built for two people. Especially when one of them is your size."
The casual intimacy of her words, her touch, sends warmth spreading through me. I've spent so long denying myself this closeness that its sudden presence feels like stepping into sunlight after years in shadow.
"Next time we'll find a better arrangement." The promise slips out before I can censor it.
Riley's eyes brighten. "Next time?"
I should backtrack, should remind us both of all the reasons this is complicated. But the joy in her expression makes it impossible to regret my words.
"If you want there to be a next time," I say, suddenly uncharacteristically uncertain.
Her answer is to kiss me. "I want all the times, Elias. However many we can get."
The simple declaration hits me harder than any passionate profession could have. She knows the obstacles we face. Yet she chooses this.Chooses me.
"We need to talk about what this means," I say when we break apart. "About Cooper. About what people will say."
Riley sighs, settling more comfortably against me. "I know. But can we just have this morning first? Before reality crashes back in?"
