Jolie POV

"Get some sleep, Ryder," I say softly, my voice barely above a whisper in the dim room. "Your war can wait until morning."

He doesn't move from where he sits on my bed, his weight creating a small dip in the mattress. His dark eyes study me like I'm something precious he might lose. "Stay with me for a minute," he murmurs, his voice rough with exhaustion.

My heart skips, heat creeping up my neck. "You're in my room," I point out, though the protest sounds weak even to my ears.

"Then ...