Bryan locked the house down, set the alarm, then walked me up the stairs and to the guest bedroom. He kissed me at the door, then walked off to check on Carly again.

Everything was fine. It was over. Or that was what he’d said.

I couldn’t believe it.

Seeing Marcus again just standing there in front of the house like it was the most normal thing in the world had terrified me. He was so changed. The tattoos, the attitude, everything. I’d seen that side of him before I’d left, but it had been nothing in comparison to what he was now. Tonight.

There’d been nothing left of the guy I’d fallen in love with as a teenager. He wasn’t a kid anymore, and he certainly wasn’t a man. He was some version of a guy I didn’t understand anymore.

I undressed hurriedly, leaving a pile of clothes on the floor, then went for the robe I’d hung on the back of my door.

It opened before I could reach it and Bryan entered. He halted just inside, eyes widening. “Riley,” he said, “Jesus.”

“Actually, it’s Riley Tucker,” I replied, not bothering to cover my breasts for modesty’s sake. “And do you ever knock?”

“I thought you’d be tuckered out.”

“No,” I said, “I don’t think I’ll sleep after tonight. I can’t stop my brain from working this over. Everything that’s happened has been surreal.”

He closed the distance between us and placed his hands on my hips. “I know,” he said, “but I swear to god, it’s over now.”

“How?”

“I paid him to go away.”

“You what?” I stepped away from him, my breasts wobbling from the sudden movement. “Are you kidding me, right now? You’re going to pay Marcus to leave?”

“What else should I do? Kick his ass?”

“No, call the cops,” I replied. “It’s that simple. You call them, and he’ll leave you alone.”

“That’s not how it works, Riley. He’s got eyes and ears everywhere. This was the only chance we had at making this disappear, so I fucking took it with both hands.” He pulled me back into his arms. “I’ll do anything to keep this family safe.”

“Your family. But I’m not a part of it.”

“You are, now,” he whispered and melted me on the spot with a kiss. My legs grew weak, almost gave way to him. He caught me and lifted me, walked me back to the bed, then laid me down atop the covers.

“So gorgeous,” he said, “and so mine. I’ll do anything for you, Riley.”

“Don’t make promises you can’t keep,” I said, lifting myself off the bed. “Please, don’t do that. I don’t want that.”

“I’m not.” Bryan undid his shirt, then his belt, took off his pants, shoes and socks. “I don’t make promises I can’t keep.” He exposed his chest, the tattoos that should’ve struck fear into me now, given their origin, but still didn’t.

He lay down on top of me, careful not to crush me, bracing his arms on either side of me. “Whatever comes, whatever it may be, Riley, we’ll work it out.”

His lips seared my skin. His touch was a balm.

I arched my back, wrapped my legs around him and kissed him back, so hard and so deep it threatened my fucking sanity. The room spun above us and I struggled to catch my breath.

“Bryan,” I whispered. “Bryan.”

“I’m right here,” he said, and entered me in one swift thrust.

I shuddered from head to toe, taking him in, the pleasure washing over me, a tide of it scouring me clean after the encounter earlier. He worked himself inside me, kissed every inch of skin he could reach, brought me to the brink of orgasm and guided me over it.

“You’re the one,” he whispered, into my ear, as I pulsed around him, again and again. “Riley, you’re the one.” Again, as he lost himself too, and came inside me. “I won’t let you go.”