** Paige’s POV **

When I turn, Ryder is already crouched naked on the floor. He reaches for the pair of shorts draped over a chair and pulls them on, then pushes to his feet, rolling his shoulders as if they ache.

His eyes meet mine, still alert even through the exhaustion I can feel coming from him. “Sit,” he says simply, nodding toward the chair at the kitchen island.

My legs feel unsteady, but I obey. Ryder drags a chair out and drops into it, his posture still rigid with tension that ...