Jolie pov

He catches my hands, but doesn't push them away. Instead, his thumbs stroke over my knuckles in a gentle caress that makes my breath hitch. "Jolie..."

"Ryder." I look up at him through my lashes, channeling every ounce of want I'm feeling into my gaze. "You're always taking care of me. Let me take care of you. Even if it's just... being close."

Something in his expression shifts. The protective alpha wars with the man who's been sleeping beside me every night, holding me close but ...